Our Story

OUR ORIGINAL FOUNDATION

THE FOUNDATION IN WELLNESS & HIGH-DRIVE BREEDS

My journey began across the holistic wellness, beauty, nutrition, and pet industries, alongside years of dog training, sports and showing working dogs. Working deeply with high-intelligence, high-drive breeds, specifically Siberian Huskies and Belgian Malinois made one thing clear, standard pet care barely scratches the surface of what these complex animals need to thrive. From running dog sleds and dryland rigs through open terrain to tactical field conditioning, we learned that true health requires an inside out approach that balances mind, working instincts and physical resilience.

TACTICAL CONDITIONING & THE EEM METHOD™

High-drive dogs don’t thrive on simple obedience, they require biological fulfillment and structured purpose. Drawing on South African tactical excellence and modern K9 engineering, I created The EEM Method™ (EEM) to channel raw drive into focused partnership.

• Environmental Engagement Method™

  Connecting dogs and handlers with nature through structured wilderness adventures, promoting environmental stewardship and deep sensory enrichment.

• Scent Detection & Trail Work

  Unlocking innate olfactory capabilities to develop mental clarity, drive satisfaction and precise scent discipline.

• Adventures & Harness Sports

  Conditioning physical power and stamina through structured CaniCross, Bikejoring and Sledding/Rig disciplines.

ACCREDITED EXCELLENCE

We believe high-drive training must be held to formal, verifiable standards:

Certified Instruction: Leading from the front, I qualified this year 2026 as a certified City & Guilds Scent Detection Dog Handler and Instructor, bringing industry standards scent theory and field mechanics to every session.

K9 RESCUE & RETRAINING - GIVING HIGH-DRIVE DOGS PURPOSE

High-drive breeds are often surrendered or abandoned because average homes cannot handle their intense energy and focus. Through our K9 Rescue Initiative, we step in to save, rehabilitate, and retrain these dogs using the EEM Method™ evaluating their drives and placing them into specialised working homes where they can thrive.

Every Product Gives Back:

For every bottle of VANDERPETS shampoo sold. £1 is donated directly to funding the rescue, medical care and retraining of these high-drive K9’s.

CPD Accredited Academy: Following years of development our Academy is officially CPD accredited. Handlers. students and dogs earn recognised continuing professional development credentials through our courses and upcoming Seminars & Events

FUNCTIONAL COAT ENGINEERING: THE K9 OLFACTORY SYSTEM™

Working dogs face extreme conditions, mud, rain, heavy brush, and intense physical exertion. Standard commercial pet soaps either fail to clean tough grime or use harsh synthetic chemicals that strip essential skin oils and compromise weather resistance.

Leveraging my background in cosmetic formulation, holistic wellness and active field testing. I engineered the VANDERPETS The K9 Olfactory Reset System™

K9 Olfactory™ Reset & Skin Shield Shampoo: An eco-friendly, vegan formula powered by natural active botanicals (Chamomile & Olive). It strips grime without depleting natural protective skin oils or overwhelming the dog’s nose with synthetic perfume.

K9 Working Detection Nose & Paw Balm™ : In all weather, lick safe restorative shield that heals cracked pads and protects delicate snouts against rough ground, ice and gravel.

The Olfactory System Kit™ : Custom engineered training gear made by active handlers for active handlers, including perforated scent pots and our branded handler lanyard.

The VANDERPETS Standard Today

VANDERPETS is total commitment to canine excellence. Whether training working breeds, placing rescue K9’s into functional homes, helping children in schools with animal reading companions, or formulating high-performance coat care, every service and product is built on proven expertise and deep respect for the canine spirit.

— Engela van der Berg - VANDERPETS