Operational Team
Our Operational Team, made up of staff and volunteers are all dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of autistic individuals and their families.
Hilary Armour
Chief Executive Officer
The Founder and Chief Executive of Dogs for Autism, Hilary Armour, is a qualified dog trainer, animal behaviourist and teacher. Throughout her teaching career Hilary has specialised in teaching autistic students with additional learning disabilities.
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Hilary’s son was diagnosed with autism as a young child and this was the catalyst for her work training assistance dogs.
Recognising the benefits for an autistic young person of being partnered with a dog, but being unable to access an assistance dog through any of the existing charities, she used her dog trainer experience to ‘owner-train’ her son’s first dog.
Once out and about with their dog, she was frequently approached by other parents in need who were desperate to know where she had managed to find an autism assistance dog.
Becoming aware of the sheer number of isolated families whose lives could be changed with the support of a dog, Hilary decided to act.
Hilary’s vision is that Dogs for Autism will become for the autistic community what Guide dogs for the Blind is to the visually impaired.
As CEO, Hilary is the face of Dogs for Autism and is responsible for overseeing the charity and steering its growth. She supervises the development of the charity infrastructure and its financial management.
Despite her very busy role as CEO, Hilary is still very hands on in the work of the charity, training dogs from the charity headquarters and supporting families and staff.
Jan Kiley
Development Manager
Jan is a qualified primary school teacher, former veterinary practice manager and dog trainer, with a Diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy.
Over the years she has owned, bred and trained many dogs, enjoying heelwork to music, agility, carriage dog training and obedience work, and has competed with her dogs at Crufts.
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Jan works very closely with Hilary planning, organising and supervising the provision of services within the charity. She is the safeguarding lead for DfA, and until very recently has been responsible for writing grant and trust applications.
Jan advises on breeding schemes, whelping and puppy husbandry and oversees the puppy training for our Alton hub. She trained one of our Assistance Dogs, Luna, and enjoyed working with Luna’s autistic partner and her family.
Jan is particularly interested in the interaction between humans and dogs, and how this can benefit an autistic person, their family and the wider community, at the same time as fulfilling the dog’s need for human companionship and mental stimulation.
Jan’s role in Dogs for Autism combines her skills in dog handling with her background in management, education and young people, improving outcomes for both the people and the dogs she has the pleasure of connecting with.
Sue Phillips
Operations Manager and Executive Assistant to the Senior Team
Sue has over 25 years of business administration experience, ranging from finance and accounting to project and team management.
In her free time, she enjoys designing, riding her motorcycle, and walking and relaxing with her Great Dane cross, Freya.
Laura McCreadie
Fundraising Manager and Volunteer Coordinator
Having joined from another assistance dog charity, where I worked as the Community Engagement Officer, I am delighted to be able to bring my skills and previous experience to Dogs for Autism and to work with the team to help the lives of autistic individuals and families.
In my free time I enjoy cycling, hill walking and spending time with family and dogs.
Lola Bellarosa-Homer
Autism Liaison Coordinator
Lola is the Autism Liaison Coordinator at Dogs for Autism. As an autistic individual with ADHD, she brings valuable, first-hand insight into navigating life as a neurodiverse person.
With two years of puppy socialization experience at organizations like Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and the support of her own Dogs for Autism assistance dog, Polly, Lola understands the unique challenges of training and placing assistance dogs and the journey that continues after placement.
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Lola is skilled at empathising with the specific hurdles autistic individuals face during the assistance dog application process. She develops supportive strategies and procedures that help streamline the journey for Dogs for Autism partners, ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience.
Her qualifications include CACHE Level 2 and Level 3 in Understanding Autism, as well as Level 2 in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties.
Nikki Francis
Graphic Design Lead and Comms Manager
Consultants
Chloe Richards
Marketing and Communications
Chloe is passionate about using her skills to help people thrive and is now using her 25 years of experience in marketing and communications with large corporate organisations to help Dogs for Autism grow.
David Craven
Financial Advice
BA (Hons) FPFS Is founder and director of Craven – Slater Financial Planners.
A chartered Financial Planner, David is also a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
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Ella Nallen
Brand Design Director
Ella has over 20 years design experience; working as a senior designer on a large range of brands from large finance companies to small charities and schools.
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Ella is responsible for the Dogs for Autism re-brand and truly understands our requirements, producing engaging and stand out designs that deliver our message clearly.