meet the team

Founder and owner of the business

Fresh off the boat from New Zealand, Jess set up Jess Fox & Hound in 2020, as we were emerging from the pandemic. Having spent time pre-pandemic working for the excellent Dogs Day Walking, Jess knew after a few short months that dog walking was the career for her (a slight career change for someone whose background is in business development!).

Inspired by the outdoors lifestyle enjoyed in New Zealand, and the views of the mountains from her apartment in Queenstown, Jess knew that she wanted to bring some of that Kiwi ethos to her clients in the UK, and so set Jess Fox & Hound up with the intention of providing first class, adventure-based care to the hounds of Newcastle. Embarking on her first walk with a small gang of Heaton-based hounds, Jess Fox & Hound has since gone from strength to strength, and now walks close to 100 dogs on a weekly basis!

In the rare moments when she’s not walking dogs, Jess can be found embracing the surf at Longsands beach, or otherwise chasing her lurchers, Angus and Willa, through the forest.

Jord was Jess Fox & Hound’s first staff member, where he joined us off the back of a client recommendation. Growing up in Cumbria where he refined his craft as a World Champion mountain biker, Jordie’s love of outdoor pursuits mean he’s always ready for adventure with the pack. Sometimes accompanied by his rescue dog Elmo, Jordie usually walks Jess Fox & Hound’s ‘big guns’ dogs, so can frequently be spotted in the wild surrounded by our German Shepherds, Pointers and Great Danes.

When not walking dogs, Jordie teaches guitar, and is also part of two bands, the psychedelic Punk Jazz Ponyland and Noise Rock group Yes, Grasshopper. So if you don’t see him walking dogs, you’ll likely encounter him on the festival circuit before too long!

Our tallest team member, and ironically the walker of the smallest dogs, Nathan joined the team in Autumn 2021, after approaching Jess for a job through a friend. With a particular interest in dog behaviour and training (inspired by working with his own rescue dog Charlie), Nathan particularly enjoys working with Jess Fox & Hound’s more nervous dogs.

Outside of dog walking, Nathan has become an avid fisherman, and is always collecting stray feathers when on walks for his homemade tackle. When out dog walking, he’s likely to be found chilling by one of Northumberland’s most fish filled river or lakes, patiently waiting for a bite. This also makes him Jess Fox & Hound’s most favoured BBQ guest!

The only other lass in our group, Dina started work with Jess doing a few casual shifts over a busy summer period. These soon translated into a more permanent role for Dina, where she acts as the main walker’s ‘assist’ on busy days, and is an essential second handler for the Friday Nothumberland Adventure Days.

Dina’s other jobs also see her spend all her time in the outdoors, come rain or shine. She is currently a Park Warden for North Tyneside Council, but has also spent time working as an Outdoor Education Officer for Gosforth Nature Reserve and for Newcastle’s Forest School programmes. A bona fide Arizonian, the absence of the desert sun hasn’t put Dina off working for us in the Newcastle winters, where she always acts as the smallest dogs’ personal weather protector when the elements descend!

Jo is Jess Fox & Hound’s resident behaviourist and dog trainer and the one with all the qualifications! Jo joined our team in 2023 after spending 8 years of working as a dog behaviourist and trainer across the North East. She’s a provisional member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians, and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, has an MSc in Applied Animal Welfare and Behaviour, a BSc in Equine Sports Performance and is a registered veterinary nurse (RVN). These skills mean that not only is Jo uniquely qualified to work with dogs experiencing behavioural or training related issues, but that she is also able to offer referrals for behavioural-related medication or veterinary treatment for dogs in her care.  

 Jo takes the lead on all of our complex behavioural cases and is responsible for the one-to-one training walks and training puppy visits. She works closely with the rest of the team to develop awareness of dog behaviour and body language, and to ensure that we are always maintaining best practice in our approach to our walks.

 When not walking or training dogs, Jo can be found giving lectures in Animal Care at East Durham College, or alternatively curled up with a good book and her two cats Brie and Freddie.

Tom came to us with a love of dogs and a family background of breeding working dogs. Tom is fully committed to the Jess Fox & Hound adventure lifestyle and lives all year round in his own converted van. He also happens to be a highly talented saxophonist, and when not walking can be found organising improv music nights, or playing with a range of different local bands, including his own brass party band Dilutey Juice.

Tom currently works with us part time, but also does dog sitting for some of our Jess Fox and Hound clients, so if you’re looking for a true staycation for your dog whilst away, Tom will be your guy!