About Bondwell Animals
Charlie’s Legacy:
The Full Story Bondwell Animals is a legacy mission born from the love between a girl and her dog. I’m Sam, and everything I do here began with Charlie, my once-in-a-lifetime heart dog. She was my teacher, my grounding force, and the one who carried me through some of the hardest and most transformative seasons of my life.
Charlie showed me what the human–animal bond can truly be.
Grounding.
Intuitive.
Healing.
Joyful.
And profoundly life changing. When she passed, she left behind more than memories. She left a mission. A mission to make sure no animal is misunderstood, left behind, or disconnected from the people who love them. A mission to support people and animals to feel safe, connected, and understood. A mission to bring compassion, science, and genuine care into everyday homes and community spaces.
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About Me
I’m a proud mum of three and a Cairns local, recently returned home after years living in Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne.
I’ve always had a deep curiosity for life and a passion for improving the way people experience it. My background is in animal behaviour and training, health, creative industries and psychology, and I bring both a thoughtful and engaging approach to everything I do. I care deeply about creating environments where both people and animals feel:
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Safe
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Supported
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Calm
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Able to connect
My Approach
Alongside my work with animals, I’ve spent time learning from and engaging with different approaches to emotional regulation, sensory needs, and behaviour.
This includes exposure to:
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Sensory Profile Grounding Techniques
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DBT-informed approaches
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Trauma Informed Care
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While I don’t provide clinical therapy, I carry an understanding of how these show up in real life, particularly for people experiencing overwhelm, navigating neurodiversity, or simply trying to feel more steady day to day.
I also bring my own lived experience, both personally and within family settings, where I’ve explored and developed sensory grounding techniques and practical tools to support everyday functioning, emotional regulation, and confidence.
I have a strong interest in supporting both disadvantaged, vulnerable and neurodivergent individuals, including ADHD and autism, and creating environments where people feel understood rather than managed.
What I Do Now
Through Bondwell Animals, I bring together:
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Animal behaviour and training
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Human awareness and emotional safety
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Structured, wellbeing-focused interactions
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A multi-species therapy team
This allows me to offer services that support both people and animals, in homes, workplaces, and community settings.
A Safe and Thoughtful Standard
I hold relevant clearances for working with vulnerable populations and approach this work with care, responsibility, and professionalism.
Everything I do is guided by:
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Animal welfare first
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Respectful, consent-based interaction
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Safety for both people and animals
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A calm, grounded presence
A Little Bit of Me
I bring a calm and steady energy, but I also believe things can feel a little bit light, engaging, and even sparkly.
Because sometimes the smallest moments, a dog leaning in, a quiet pause, a shared smile, are the ones that matter most.
Where It All Comes Back To
At the heart of everything is one simple belief:
When the bond is strong, everything works better.
I’d love to support you, your family, or your community.