A NEILSTON-BASED dog instructor is celebrating after she was named Trainer of the Year at the UK’s biggest pet show.

Martha Brindley, 61, has thanked Barrhead News readers for helping her to achieve a lifetime ambition at this year’s Crufts event.

The former classroom assistant was crowned the winner ahead of four other trainers from England in an online vote after being nominated by clients.

The Kennel Club Accredited Instructor Award recognises inspirational dog training instructors who have made a positive difference to the lives of owners and their pets.

Martha, who stays in Lugton, East Ayrshire, told the News she was touched by the reaction she received from wellwishers who voted in their droves.

She said: “The support from Barrhead people has been really overwhelming. I am the first Scottish trainer to win this award and it really means a lot to me.

“I can’t believe the level of support I got. I had people coming up to me in the shops in Barrhead saying they voted for me.

“I’ve certainly had a lot of strangers coming up to me and asking if I’d found out – even the shop assistants.

“Awards like this never usually come to Scotland and the other four candidates were all from England.

“I was gobsmacked to win. None of us knew until we were all in the ring, waiting for the announcement to be made.

“They called out my name and I was totally dumbfounded.

“It was just amazing.”

Martha has worked with dogs for more than 40 years and joined the Happy Hounds training school at Neilston Scout Hall four years ago.

She fell in love with dog training at the age of 14 after being asked to take the family pooch to a class.

After Martha was forced to take early retirement from her classroom work due to ill health, the KCAI-accredited instructor chose to devote her free time to dog training.

When she’s not hosting puppy socialisation tutelage sessions or agility masterclasses, Martha enjoys touring round schools with her pet whippet Ghillie to educate the younger generation about caring for their four-legged friends.

She said: “It’s a double plus for me that I can take the dog with me. It’s just like taking your dog to work.”

To find out more about Martha’s classes, search for ‘Happy Hounds dog training’ on Facebook.