Organizers
Patron: Günther Bloch
Günther is not only the founder but above all the heart and soul of Wolf & Co! Interest in and respect for the work of others, professional exchange, scientific research, support for interested persons, an open ear for the next-door dog owner, enthusiasm, clear positions and besides all of that always a practitioner and confessing dog and wolf fan.
His retirement leaves quite a gab!
Günther Bloch has been offering ethical wildlife viewing in the Canadian Rockies since 2018. You can find more information here: Bloch Tours (English see below).
Dogwatcher
Not only are Thomas Bursch, Marion Pepper and Lars Thiemann good friends, they also share a big common interest – observing and analysing dog behaviour!
This mutual interest led the two dogexperts and the ethologist to launch the project dogwatcher – domestic dog research in Berlin.
Although every discovery raises many new questions, it still is their aim to not only gain new but also even more detailed knowledge about dog behaviour.
Thomas Bursch
Thomas Bursch, born on 11.05.1970 is a professional dogwalker since 1998. As a founder of Dogwalker Berlin he trained multiple still professionally successful dogwalkers. Thomas successfully completed the german breeders exam of the VDH and is a member of the DZRR (German breeders’ association Rhodesian Ridgeback). Since 2006 he is a certified physiotherapist for dogs after Blümchen and Woßlick. As a dog trainer his focus is also on bodywork like massages for the treatment of behaviour problems in the style of Feldenkrais. Thomas Bursch founded the Professional association of dogsitters and dogwalkers BHD (Berufsverband der Hundebetreuer und Dogwalker). With his colleagues Marion Pepper and Lars Thielmann he developed a theoretical and practical examination for dogwalkers. He co-founded the project Dogwatcher – Domestic Dog research in Berlin with them in 2015.
Marion Pepper
Marion Pepper, born on 11.12.1978 is a behaviour biologist and works as a dog trainer since 2004. She performed her studies and diverse internship in various dog schools. Since 2011 she runs her own mobile dog school in Berlin. Marion wrote her bachelor thesis on the subject of clicker training with dogs and is a sustaining member of the BHV. She worked in an honorary capacity for the dog visiting service at schools (Helger auf vier Pfoten) until 2011 and provided complimentary dog training for the Tiertafel Deutschland e.V. until 2013. Marion is co-founder of the Professional association of dogsitters and dogwalkers BHD (Berufsverband der Hundebetreuer und Dogwalker). With her colleagues Thomas Bursch and Lars Thielmann she developed a theoretical and practical examination for dogwalkers. She co-founded the project Dogwatcher – Domestic Dog research in Berlin with them in 2015.
Lars Thiemann
Lars Thielmann, born on 09.05.1968 is a professional dogwalker since 1994. Since 1995 he offers dog owners day-to-day-focused individual training and advice. Additionally, he led the dog training for various movie and television projects and was recognized as an authorized expert by the Berlin senate in 2003. Since 2006 he documents dog behaviour with photos and videos. Since 2009 he offers consulting for dog trainers and dogwalkers and was certified as a dog trainer by the veterinarian chamber Schleswig-Holstein in 2010. He co-founded the Professional association of dogsitters and dogwalkers BHD (Berufsverband der Hundebetreuer und Dogwalker) and gives lectures and workshops on the subject of dogs’ expressional behaviour. With his colleagues Thomas Bursch and Marion Pepper he developed a theoretical and practical examination for dogwalkers. He co-founded the project Dogwatcher – Domestic Dog research in Berlin with them in 2015.
Kristina Riegger
Kristina Riegger is a trained hotel specialist, has a bachelor in business administration and is an organisational talent. She supports the Dogwatcher team with the planning of events and takes care of all organizational aspects of the Symposium. If you have any questions, problems or feedback please contact Kristina directly.
