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Great Harwood dog trainer shortlisted for two awards
Carolina de Almeida, based in Great Harwood, runs Chewing with River, a dog training and wellbeing service.
She has been named a finalist for Pet Service Business of the Year in the 2026 Pet Industry Federation Awards and Dog Trainer and Behaviourist of the Year â North West in the 2026 UK Pet Industry Awards.
Ms de Almeida said: “I’m genuinely still trying to get my head around it.
“I started Chewing with River because I wanted to help dogs and their people in a way that is ethical, compassionate, and puts the welfare of both sides of the lead first.
“To now see the business recognised alongside some of the biggest and most established names in the pet industry is pretty surreal.
“What’s particularly special is that I’m doing this from Great Harwood, putting Lancashire firmly on the map.
“I really want to show that small, independent businesses from our local communities can make an impact far beyond their own doorstep.”
Her business supports dog owners both locally and internationally, with a focus on behavioural and nutrition issues.
Before launching Chewing with River, Ms de Almeida worked in the charity and mental health sector, including advocacy and training in mental health and menopause.
Her journey into dog training began through volunteering and hands-on experience.
She now works with dogs and their families on issues such as reactivity, resource guarding, and puppy training, in addition to offering nutrition advice.
Ms de Almeida has trained with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers and holds a qualification in Canine Nutrition and Health.
She is a member and serves on the committee of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society, working alongside veterinary professionals across the globe to support the feeding of safe, species-appropriate diets.
She regularly shares free, science-based resources on social media to make practical information accessible to dog owners.
In addition to her business, Ms de Almeida volunteers with Dogs4Rescue in Accrington, providing training and behavioural support to rescue dogs.
She also volunteers with Happy Cats Hyndburn, where she adopted her cat, Blue.
The Pet Industry Federation Awards 2026 will be held on November 5 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Stoke-on-Trent.
Ms de Almeida said: “I’m incredibly proud of what Chewing with River has become, but the biggest achievement for me is seeing the difference it makes to individual dogs and their families.
“Dogs don’t come with an instruction manual, and owners deserve support that is kind, practical and free from judgement.”
