How We Are Different
Vet and Behavioural Services done differently.
We provide a diverse variety of health solutions for your loved one – from puppy training classes to fear free vet consultations. Our specialist team are professionally trained in behavioural services and emotional development as well as pet anxiety and separation distress. If your pet is usually anxious or fearful of visiting the vet, they’ll love the low stress and fear free atmosphere of Calm Companions.
Does your pet stress about going to visit the GP Vet?
“It’s Cool to be Calm”.
– Dr Nela
Calm Companions first began as a small practice, but we’ve rapidly grown over only a short time. From humble beginnings we’re now referred to by over 120 vet clinics and 50 dog trainers across Queensland and New South Wales (we also have clients in the Northern Territory and Victoria). We believe this is due to the great reputation of Dr Nela.
Dr Nela is highly qualified in behaviour medicine and behaviour modification training. She’s a Fear Free Certified Vet and has worked in the area of behaviour postgraduate for a decade. Dr Nela is passionate about helping pets live a calmer life, as well as teaching staff, clinics, councils and rescue groups in handling and working with fearful or frustrated pets.
Pets love attending Calm Companions as we allow them freedom, keep them together with their loved ones, allow owners to sit in for surgeries, and always do what’s right for the pet and owner. Most importantly there’s little to no stress for anyone involved. We’ll never force a pet through a situation they’re uncomfortable with.
Calm Companions is passionate about caring for your companion. Contact us to learn more.
Clinical Pet Behaviourists
Shannon Hope
Behavioural Trainer ( remote), Vet nurse Cert IV VN (Fear Free), Cert IV Com. Ani. Serv, MDI (CPDT)
Affiliates
Dr. Nela Graham
BVCs, MANZCVSc
Dr Nela is a qualified veterinarian with over ten years’ experience in working with a wide range of animals including: dogs, cats, birds, horses, wildlife, and pocket pets. She has worked in New Zealand and the UK as well as in Australia.
Dr Nela has always been fascinated with the brain function, emotions, and behaviour of animals; as well as the field of “neuroplasticity”. Neuroplasticity is how the structure of the brain changes in response to the environment and experience. It shows that animal (and human) behaviour and emotions are not fixed but can be changed over time.
Through her work as a vet, Dr Nela found that people often asked for help with managing their pet’s behaviour. She was shocked by the large number of animals that were euthanized each year after being turned in by owners due to behaviour problems. She decided to extend her knowledge by taking further studies in Veterinary Behaviour.
This is a long process of working with specialists and senior mentors for six to eight years to develop the skills needed to provide scientific, individualised support to pets and their owners. Dr Nela sees this as a journey toward reaching her life purpose…. To make the world a better place for our loved animal companions!
Dr Nela is dedicated to helping clients understand their pet’s emotions and behaviours, and to provide individualised behaviour support using welfare-friendly methods. Dr Nela never recommends punishment as a way of changing an animal’s behaviour. She uses only positive methods tailored for each animal, the people in their lives, and their environment.
When she is not working or studying, Dr Nela is at home on the Gold Coast with her young son Finn, Bull Terrier x Ridgeback “Obi”, and two cats “Freya” and “Taz.”
Dr. Lisa Mason
BVCs (Honours)
Renee Birt
(Cert. 4 Qualified Vet Nurse)
Renee has been working in the animal industry for the last 20 years. She has a passion for animal behaviour and helping owners to have the best relationship they can with their pets.
Renee studied Psychology at University and is also a qualified vet nurse. Renee’s has a special interest in anaesthetics and surgery. Renee has a passion for animal welfare and has worked in animal shelters all over Australia, helping animals to find their forever homes.
Renee has two teenager daughters and a pugalier named Buddy. In her spare time Renee loves to go hiking and stand up paddling with Buddy and her girls.
Renee, Hannah Sowter
I was 4 years old when I started my relationship with horses on Tamborine Mountain. It was a bond that has lasted my lifetime. I grew up on a farm with all sorts of animals so tend to prefer the company of animals over the company of humans (most of the time 
)
From a young girl I chose to treat my horses with kindness and considered their emotional needs as I believed that all animals are individual and deserved to be treated gently, with respect and without fear. Over the years I rehabilitated a lot of troubled horses because of this philosophy.
I have dedicated the last 10 years volunteering and working at the Gold Coast City Pound and the Animal Welfare League of Qld., mostly with homeless cats and dogs. During my time there I adopted 6 rescue cats, that are my whole life. We all live happily in a town house on the Gold Coast.
One day, not so long ago, I decided I would fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a qualified Veterinary Nurse, and to have official documentation to show for all my animal experience and skills acquired over the years.
And that’s when I started volunteering for Dr. Nela and the Calm Companion team. 6 months later I became a Calm Companions Fear Free certified team member.
I am an advocate for all animals. I am a vegan, so I live what I believe, cruelty free.
I have a Bachelor in Psychological Science with Honors which compliments companion animal behaviour and mental health, combined now with my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. All of which I have gained in the pursuit of animal happiness and wellbeing.
Shannon Hope
BEHAVIOURAL TRAINER ( REMOTE), VET NURSE CERT IV VN (FEAR FREE), CERT IV COM. ANI. SERV, MDI (CPDT)
Shannon has always had a passion for animals, be they domestic or of the wild variety. She started her career as a junior vet nurse in 2006 while studying to achieve her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing. Shannon has worked, managed and mentored staff in both mixed and small animal GP vet practices across urban and rural Queensland. Shannon began dog training in 2009 along-side the veterinary industry, and decided to focus on her interest in animal behaviour more in 2013. She has since gained a Cert IV in Companion Animal Services (animal behaviour and training) and now holds a Delta Institute Accreditation.
It is Shannon’s main goal to help people enjoy a lifestyle that includes a happy and healthy relationship with their pets.
Shannon has been a member of Fear Free, VNCA, APDT and PPGA. She enjoys learning and is constantly continuing her professional development each year through a variety of seminars and courses in both the veterinary and dog training industries.
Shannon has volunteered as a foster carer for animal rescues, and as a wildlife educator/handler for both private display companies and rescue careers.
In her down time, Shannon enjoys camping, travelling, horse riding and singing loudly in her car, much to the disgust of her dogs and husband!
Shannon’s position within Calm Companions is unique as she often travels and lives in remote areas of Australia, however will occasionally drop in or work virtually with Calm Companions.
Shelley Fellows
Shelley is a qualified behavioural trainer with over ten years’ experience in working with companion animals. Having an active interest in animals from a very young age, Shelley rescued and rehabilitated wildlife throughout her teenage years, and began working professionally with companion animals as a trainer in her early twenties.
Shelley gained her Delta Institute Accreditation in 2015, is a Fear Free trainer, and has been a member of the APDT and PPGA. As a behavioural trainer, Shelley provides families with education, behavioural training and environmental management strategies to ensure the best possible
outcome for each pet. Shelley works well as part of a multidisciplinary team with general and specialist veterinarians.
Shelley is also a certified trainer and Public Access Test accreditor through Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs QLD. She supports suitable teams in their transition from a pet to an assistance dog, using habituation, obedience training and task training programs.
Shelley enjoys learning and is constantly continuing her professional development each year through
a variety of seminars and courses in companion animal training. When not at work, Shelley’s favourite role is being a Mother to her six-year-old daughter, Isla, and
Doberman, Misha.
Cassandra Roland
Sam Wilson
Steff White
Hi, my name is Steff. I have had a lifelong passion and innate bond with animals that was born during my childhood days when I was involved in the complete care of my family’s English Staffies, which we successfully bred and showed on a National Level.
As a child, when one of my favourite dogs, Cindy, failed to win her show, I cried as I couldn’t understand why the judges didn’t love her like I did!
I began my transition into a career with animals in 2016, when I began volunteering at the Animal Welfare League of Queensland. While there, I was involved in a variety of animal care roles which further sparked my interest in the field of animal well-being and behaviour.
The door for further professional development opened when I was offered a chance to become a part of the Calm Companions Team, first through volunteering, and then being asked to join them in a more permanent capacity. With the continued educational experiences that they’ve provided me in the field of animal behaviour, I’ve come to love the job so much that the only way they’ll manage to get rid of me is if they drag me out kicking and screaming!
While my childhood passion was to become a paleoartist, due to my obsession with both dinosaurs and creative arts, I went on to complete Bachelor double majoring in Film & Game Design, minoring in Illustration at the Griffith Film School and Queensland College of Art. Though it’s not directly related to the Veterinary Field, these skills have proven invaluable for the design of pet behaviour client educational materials including animation videos for Calm Companions’ projects.
Currently I share my life with my beloved rescue cat, Jax and my finches. And while I currently don’t have a dog, I have experience with handling and caring for a nervous dog, as my Rottweiler, while sweet-natured, displayed anxious behaviours. With my naturally calm approach, I was able to help her overcome her challenges and become a healthier, and happier, dog.
Rheanna Bose
Rheanna has had a love for animals since before she could talk, being well-known as the child who would always disappear from social events to be found in the company of pets and wildlife alike.
She is passionate about both human & animal psychology, and thoroughly enjoys learning about the Human Animal Bond (HAB), and how healthy relationships with animals can improve the lives of both pets and humans.
She started her career in human medical administration while beginning her studies into psychology & neuroscience, and then made the shift to the veterinary industry after a fateful encounter with an orphaned joey. She found and rescued the joey from the pouch of a mother wallaby who had unfortunately been hit by a car. From the moment he curled up on her lap and snuggled into her jumper, she knew that her true passion lay with caring for animals.
Rheanna is now halfway through completing the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology with the University of Queensland – a degree which combines the practical abilities of a Vet Nurse, the study and practice of Wildlife science, and the higher-level scientific education of a bachelor’s degree.
Rheanna is also currently studying the Certificate III in Animal Care Services – Behaviour Stream, alongside her incredible internship with Calm Companions.
She has previous experience working as an Animal Attendant, caring for the large colonies of cats, dogs and other animals housed at the UQ VETS Clinical Studies Centre – PETS for LIFE Adoption centre.
She has also worked as a Wildlife Educator / Handler with Wildcall Wildlife Shows.
In her spare time Rheanna enjoys getting out into nature as much as possible, and spending time with her Rottweiler, Rosie.
Rosie was a nervous, hyperactive young dog with a troubled past when Rheanna adopted her from UQ VETS, and with the help of Calm Companions is now a healthy, happy and confident young dog who loves going on hikes and nature walks with her family.
Ivan Kordich
Accountant
Mark Graham
Accounts Manager
Mark is an integral part of Calm Companions, not only as Dr Nela’s supportive husband but also as the all-important Accounts Manager. Beside his qualification in accounting, his experiences as an electrician cross over well when it comes to problem-solving cross over well with assisting the Calm Companions team in a wide range of day-to-day business and maintenance work. Mark’s innate ability to connect with animals means that he is always the one animals are drawn to like a magnet! His calm, collected and clear communications also come in handy when he assists puppy classes by supporting owners by giving one on one help.
When not working, Mark loves to follow the Broncos and guide their son Finn to gradually grow into a calm, positive and resilient boy who will hopefully have the same love for animals and skiing like his mum and dad!
Ivan
Maintenance manager
Dr Nela’s dad Ivan has been the work-horse behind Calm Companions. Every step of the way, Ivan has been involved with the designing, ordering, coordinating, demolishing, renovating, building, supporting and supervising Nela and Mark’s dream of having a Behaviour Vet Clinic.
He has worked tirelessly night and day, sometimes doing all-nighters to get certain projects done on time. Ivan is the mastermind behind many creative ideas and is also the one who together with Dr Nela’s grandma Majka is making the snuffle mats to help enrich dog’s lives. Parallel to his invaluable skill as a general handyman and builder, Ivan has found a calling for child care! To allow Dr Nela and husband Mark to have time to put towards developing Calm Companions, Ivan has often had their son Finn for days at a time – enjoying the giggles, smiles and of course, teaching Finn to dance before he could even walk!