“Because success starts with feeling seen, safe, and supported!” – Katrina Bayliss
I’m so excited to share something very close to my heart — Dogs and Divergent Minds Day!!
It is going to be this Sunday 1st June!!
This day is all about shining a spotlight on the neurodivergent dog community — owners, trainers, handlers, and professionals alike — and creating a space where neurodivergent people feel safe, seen, and supported in the dog world.
Why I’m Creating This Space for Us
From personal experience, I realised I’ve always felt isolated in the dog training world. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why, but I felt like the odd one out, like I was doing something wrong, and that it was my problem to fix. To cope, I dove deep into dog behaviour, training, and even dog business knowledge because my brain needed answers and I needed to be taught in ways that suited me.
When I discovered I was neurodivergent, everything started to fall into place. I realised that the work I do — supporting both the human and dog elements — is even more crucial because neurodivergent dog owners have specific needs. If those needs aren’t met, the dogs don’t succeed as well because they pick up on their handler’s emotions.
This is why I believe this community needs its own spotlight.
Neurodivergent people often mask their true selves, and they rarely put themselves out there. It’s time for more of us to speak out and make change happen!
Through my business, and the work I do as The Neurodivergent Dog Coach, I want to educate dog trainers and professionals to tweak their services and classes so they become more neuro-inclusive.
When neurodivergent clients feel safe and supported, magic happens: dogs succeed, handlers relax, and everyone thrives.
How to Join In
On Sunday 1st June, I would love it if you would share a post using the hashtag #DogsAndDivergentMinds and tag me @kb.dogcoch (Insta) or The Neurodivergent Dog Coach (Facebook)
You could share:
- A photo or story about your neurodivergent dog experience
- How you support neurodiversity in your dog training or business
- Or simply what this cause means to you
If you’re unsure what to say, here are some simple prompts to get you started:
- “As a neurodivergent dog owner, I’ve faced unique challenges, but I’m proud to be part of this community supporting Dogs and Divergent Minds Day.”
- “Neurodiversity matters in dog training because when we feel supported, our dogs thrive too.”
- “I stand with #DogsAndDivergentMinds to help make the dog world more inclusive and understanding.”
Feel free to use one of these or write your own — every voice counts. You can even use the images below:
What Would Make My Heart Happy
Honestly, just knowing you’re behind this means the world to me.
When people use the hashtag, tag me in posts, share images, or mention this work in communities — like my free Facebook group — it helps build a supportive space where we can all help each other. Whether that’s tackling dog training challenges, boosting confidence, or collaborating with other dog pros, this community is for you.
I also want to help neurotypical trainers understand how to tweak their classes and services to be more empathetic and neuro-inclusive. That’s not only better for the people they teach, but it helps dogs get better results, and that’s good for everyone’s business too.
If you’re on the fence about posting or worried about saying the wrong thing, please know that your feelings and story are valid. There’s no wrong way to support this cause — it’s about being yourself, sharing your journey, and creating a movement where we all feel accepted and empowered.
Together, we can break down masks, support each other, and make the dog world a better, kinder place for everyone. Thank you for being part of this.
With love,
Katrina
Katrina Bayliss Coaching 
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