“Over 45 years working in animal welfare, I have seen that legislation, codes of best practice and organisational policies can look fairly black and white on paper, but putting them into practice with a view to good welfare is far from straightforward.

Having seen Nikki work and interact with people at all levels, I believe her academic work, coupled with her long history of hands-on practice, makes her ideally placed to advise organisations on putting animal welfare into practice. Her experience across a variety of animal-care settings gives her the practical credibility needed in this field because she is drawing on practice as well as theory. She is also able to bring current animal welfare knowledge into everyday practice.

Nikki has excellent communication skills and a natural ability to engage and empower people to understand and improve the welfare of the animals in their care. Her writing is clear, well-structured and easy to understand, and many of the practical issues she highlights are familiar from my own experience.

In reality, budgets, staffing and other organisational pressures affect what can be delivered, although cost should not be the overriding factor in animal welfare. Nikki understands that balance and can help organisations identify practical, cost-effective welfare improvements.

An independent voice can also be valuable when a welfare problem needs to be addressed, or when management may be right but has not explained the process properly to the team. Having seen Nikki work with people at all levels, I believe she could help organisations work through both situations in a practical and balanced way.

Having seen Nikki work and how she interacts with people at all levels, I think she could do very well with Welfare in Practice.”

Mike Flynn MBE

Retired Chief Superintendent | Scottish SPCA | Former member of the Scottish Government’s Animal Welfare Commission

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“I greatly enjoyed working with Nikki during her time with ZoOceanarium Group in Abu Dhabi. She combines a genuine passion for animal welfare with a practical understanding of what it takes to successfully implement improvements in a working animal-care environment.

Nikki is thoughtful, collaborative, and highly capable. She consistently approached projects with professionalism and a focus on achieving positive outcomes for both animals and the teams responsible for their care. Her ability to bridge the gap between welfare theory and day-to-day operations made her a valuable contributor to our organisation.

I would gladly work with Nikki again and recommend her to any facility looking to strengthen its animal welfare, behaviour, and training programmes.”

Chris Davis

Managing Director

ZoOceanarium Group | St. Louis Aquarium @ Union Station | Children’s Aquarium Dallas | Syracuse Aquarium

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“Having worked closely alongside Nikki at Guide Dogs, I saw the impact of her work first-hand.

Nikki consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to animal welfare while maintaining a clear understanding of the practical realities of service delivery. She had an excellent ability to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers, navigate complex situations thoughtfully, and translate welfare priorities into workable, day-to-day solutions.

I always found her to be knowledgeable, adaptable and solution-focused, with a genuine commitment to achieving positive outcomes for both dogs and people.”

Wendy Kinnin

Former Senior Operations Leader | Guide Dogs UK

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“I have known Nikki Morrison since 2011, when we set out to create a unique educational programme in Dubai, with Antarctic penguins as ambassadors to help communicate important messages about marine pollution, ocean conservation, and our impact on the environment.

From the very beginning, Nikki was central to the programme's success. She oversaw the penguins’ welfare, beginning with their transfer from San Antonio to Dubai, and was instrumental in developing the policies, procedures and standards that ensured high levels of animal welfare while still delivering a meaningful guest experience.

What always stood out to me was Nikki’s ability to balance animal welfare, training, safety, guest engagement and operational realities. She understood that, for the programme to succeed, it had to work not only for the animals, but also for the team, the guests and the wider business.

Nikki helped create the structure, routines and training approaches that made the programme practical and sustainable on a day-to-day basis. Her welfare and behavioural training programmes were thoughtfully designed, giving both the animals and the team confidence while maintaining high standards in a busy operational environment.

She was also exceptionally good at translating animal welfare priorities into practical actions that managers, operations teams, and guest-facing staff could understand and deliver. This, combined with her calm approach, strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop people and systems, meant she played a key role in making the programme a long-term success.

I would not hesitate to recommend Nikki. She brings together animal welfare expertise, operational understanding and leadership in a way that is rare, and any organisation would benefit from her knowledge, professionalism and dedication.”

Tom Scheffer

Senior Executive | Former General Manager | MAF | Ski Dubai

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“I have known and worked alongside Nikki for more than 20 years across the UK, the Middle East and zoo-sector consultancy work.

During my time as Director of Jersey Zoo, I brought Nikki in to support workshops, training and development with the animal care and veterinary teams at Durrell. Her behavioural and zoo management experience helped us formalise a welfare-first animal training and behaviour programme across a wide range of species.

Nikki brings practical experience, professional commitment and a clear understanding of how animal welfare, behaviour and team development need to work together in real animal-care settings.”

Graeme Dick

Former Director of Zoo Operations | Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

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"Nikki was Head of the Sea Lion Section at Combe Martin Wildlife Park while I was Programmes Manager. She was dedicated, passionate and extremely hard-working, with an outgoing and enthusiastic personality. She was well-liked and respected by her colleagues, quickly built strong rapport with new team members, volunteers and students, and maintained excellent working relationships with senior colleagues.
Nikki was a very good team leader and mentor, as well as a strong team player. She was extremely thorough in the standards of cleanliness, record-keeping and management of the sea lion section, and her care and concern for the animals were integral to her work ethic.

She was forward-thinking and dynamic, constantly looking to develop her knowledge and contribute fully to the Park. Nikki willingly took on responsibilities beyond the usual requirements of her role and was instrumental in the success of a fundraising and awareness campaign for the Marine Conservation Society.

Her public presentations were lively, motivating, informative and entertaining, and consistently well received by audiences. She was a respected and talented animal trainer with a strong drive to continue learning and expanding her knowledge and experience.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Nikki for work requiring animal-care leadership, team development and mentoring, strong operational standards, public engagement and a genuine commitment to animals and professional practice."

Dr Katherine Whitehouse-Tedd

Independent Consultant | Researcher | Senior Visiting Fellow | Nottingham Trent University
Former Programmes Manager | Combe Martin Wildlife Park

“Nikki has extensive experience across animal care and welfare, from companion animals to wild animals in human care on a global scale.

She is a strong communicator, deeply dedicated to animals, and committed to achieving meaningful welfare outcomes alongside conservation, education and service goals. She combines evidence-based decision-making with practical experience and an understanding of what is workable in real settings.

Nikki is a caring leader and colleague who also understands the importance of play, humour and empowerment.”

Sabrina Brando, PhD

CEO of InterBeing AnimalConcepts | Researcher | Speaker | Writer | InnerMBA | Heroic Coach

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“Nikki has never viewed welfare and operational demands as opposing forces. Instead, she developed training programmes that worked for both the animals and the people caring for them.

One of Nikki’s greatest strengths is her understanding of the importance of foundation behaviours. She invested enormous effort into training safety and management behaviours such as gating, stationing, moving between pools and enclosures, and reliable directional cues. Because this groundwork was so strong, the sea lions were able to perform not only complex public display behaviours but also a remarkable range of husbandry behaviours. They voluntarily participated in injections, blood draws, x-rays, examinations and movement between enclosures with very little stress.

At the time, this stood in stark contrast to what I observed with many other species. In many collections, animals were herded between spaces, pressured to move, or physically and chemically restrained for routine veterinary procedures. The sea lions, through careful training, could participate willingly in their own care. It was one of my earliest lessons in how high-quality training is not separate from welfare. It is welfare.

Nikki understood this long before it became a common discussion within animal care. She consistently advocated for training as a non-negotiable component of good welfare, whether for zoo animals or companion animals. What impressed me equally was her ability to communicate this to senior managers, directors and keepers. She never approached these conversations as battles. Instead, she demonstrated how good welfare and good training improved safety, reduced stress, saved time, supported staff and ultimately benefited organisations as well as animals.

As a leader and mentor, Nikki was equally influential. She coached rather than criticised. She asked thoughtful questions that encouraged us to think critically and arrive at solutions ourselves. That approach helped develop my confidence, judgement and professional standards far more effectively than simply being told what to do.

Looking back, I can see how much my own approach to animal training, welfare and professional practice was shaped by Nikki’s mentorship. She combines exceptional practical skill with the ability to bring people with her, helping everyone involved understand not only what good welfare looks like, but how to achieve it. I am grateful she was my first mentor, and I know I am a better trainer and welfare professional because of her influence.”

Zara Jackson

Founder & Lead Behaviourist | Tarka Dog Training | Former Zoological Animal Care and Behaviour Professional

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“Nikki brings an exceptional level of focus, commitment and professional ownership to her work. When she is involved with an organisation, she takes time to understand its priorities, support its team members and help create the best possible outcomes for the animals in its care.

As a behaviourist, I have always valued Nikki’s practical understanding of animal behaviour and welfare, and her ability to connect that knowledge with the realities of day-to-day animal care.

Across the projects and workplaces where I have known Nikki, she has consistently brought strong planning, organisation and problem-solving skills. Her attention to detail and proactive approach helped give frontline teams the structure and support they needed to perform at their best.”

Jenna Briggs

Former Animal Care Professional

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“Working with Nikki in a rescue and animal welfare environment, I saw how strongly she combined animal welfare knowledge, behaviour understanding and calm, practical leadership.

She was especially strong in sensitive situations where good judgement mattered. Nikki helped team members think clearly, make fair decisions and keep the individual animal’s needs at the centre, even when the work was emotionally difficult or operationally pressured.

As a mentor, Nikki had a lasting influence on my confidence, standards and professional judgement. She led in a way that was supportive without lowering expectations, and she helped people develop the skills to think through complex welfare and behaviour situations for themselves.

That combination of high standards, practical decision-making and genuine care for both animals and team members has stayed with me throughout my own career.”

Rebecca Sorley

Former Animal Care Assistant | Scottish SPCA

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“I’ve worked with many people over the years, and Nikki stands out as one of the best welfare practitioners I’ve ever known.

Whether it’s big or small, furry or feathered, Nikki’s enthusiasm is endless and she brings genuine value to any project. Her knowledge and expertise of real-life, front-line animal care is coupled with a deep understanding of what good welfare actually looks like.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her services to you.”

Kenny Murray

Former Animal College Curator | Bishopburton College | Experienced Zoological Animal Manager

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“I met Nikki early in my animal-care career, when she joined a different department within the park where I was working. Her feet had barely touched the ground before she began making significant changes. It was really something to watch from the outside, as I had seen that department struggle for years without meaningful change, despite everyone knowing it was desperately needed.

I watched in real time as the animals’ behaviour improved and the department became one of teamwork and collaboration.

I could tell that Nikki was someone to aspire to, so when I wanted to improve my own practice, I asked her for guidance, which she was more than happy to give. That guidance helped me improve animal-welfare and care protocols within my own department.

As chance would have it, some years later, I joined another facility that had been given the full ‘Nikki Effect’. Its animal-care and training programme had been designed and implemented by Nikki from launch, and even ten years later, when I joined the team, her impact was still evident.

Animal care can be an incredibly challenging and disheartening field at times, but Nikki leads by example. She shows that even one person can make a genuine difference and inspires others to do the same.”

Heleen Wilkes

Behaviourist | Dog Logic | Former Zoo Keeper

“Nikki is an expert in wild animal training and behaviour management. We have studied and presented together in UK zoos, and I have always learnt something new from our conversations, especially around marine mammals and penguins.

She is a strong advocate for progressive animal care, and her knowledge, experience and cross-sector development give her a valuable perspective on the wellbeing of animals in human care.”

Jim Mackie

Animal Behaviour Management Officer | Zoological Society of London

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“Nikki’s knowledge of behaviour modification and her ability to apply that knowledge are of a high level. She is always looking for better ways to improve the welfare of the animals in her care.

She has been a great help and an excellent teacher. Nikki not only carries knowledge of behaviour modification, but also helps others take their thinking around zoological management and conservation to another level.”

Peter Giljam

International Animal Training and Behaviour Consultant | Founder | ZooSpensefull

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“Nikki and I worked together internationally, including in the United Arab Emirates and around the animal-care sector in Grand Cayman. Her knowledge of zoological management and animal training is outstanding.

Education, conservation and animal welfare are clear priorities in the way Nikki approaches the vision and daily operations of consulting projects.”

Niels T. Roskott (BSc.)

Managing Director

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“Nikki supported my transition from marine mammals to Antarctic birds when I started working with the Snow Penguins of Ski Dubai. She trusted me in a way that boosted my confidence and helped me become a better trainer, presenter and team member.

Together, we launched a strong presentation programme, developed the penguin interaction experience and later presented our work at conferences, where the team won prestigious awards.

Nikki goes above and beyond to keep learning and to help her colleagues reach their potential. She is one of the best in the field of animal care and training.”

Ronald Operana

Senior Animal Care Specialist | Ski Dubai

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“This is to introduce my friend and colleague Ms. Nikki Morrison who worked along side me in setting up the highly successful and Internationally renowned Penguin Project in Ski Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

I found Nikki to be extremely hard working, well informed and dedicated to the task in hand. As a novel endeavour it required a lot of trial and error and Nikki took this in her stride. Nikki trained both staff and penguins till we had established something we could be truly proud of.

Nikki was easy to get on with and stayed with the project from November 2011 to April 2013. She left to pursue her career taking up a challenge in another organisation.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Nikki for any project as I know she would give it her very best. I wish her all the best for the future.”

Peter Dickinson

Independent International Zoo Consultant | Curator of Penguins during development of the Ski Dubai Snow Penguins programme

(Selected extracts from a professional reference dated 3 July 2019, reproduced posthumously in Peter’s original words.)

“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Nikki and have always been impressed by her unwavering commitment to animal welfare and behaviour.

Having seen her work across different roles and settings over the years, one thing has always remained consistent: animal welfare is at the forefront of everything she does.

Nikki is a knowledgeable and supportive leader who brings out the best in her teams through encouragement, collaboration and a genuine passion for improving standards of care. Her leadership and expertise have had a lasting positive impact on both the people she has worked with and the animals in their care.

Her dedication, integrity and commitment to advancing animal welfare make her someone I would wholeheartedly recommend and respect as a true leader in the field.”

Erin McArthur

Puppy Development Advisor | Guide Dogs UK

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“Nikki joined our Puppy Rearing department at Guide Dogs during an extremely challenging period, as we entered Covid restrictions and one of the biggest shifts in our way of working in 25 years.

She helped steer the department through that period while maintaining a high level of service for our volunteers and dogs. Nikki brought innovative thinking, experience from different areas of animal care, and a straightforward, practical approach that helped the team move forward and adapt.

Her quick thinking, friendly manner and ability to support people through change were invaluable.”

David Smith

Puppy Development Advisor | Guide Dogs UK

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“I have worked with Nikki in many different roles and have consistently been impressed by her work ethic, communication skills and ability to adapt to different situations.

I have seen her expertise in animal behaviour and training, her management skills when leading a team, and her creativity when working with groups with varied needs. Nikki has a real ability to communicate effectively with different people and is an asset to any team.

In our work with FABB Scotland, I was continually impressed by how naturally Nikki worked with everyone involved. She saw the person first, not the disability, which reflected the ethos of the charity itself.”

Katie Macfarlane

Discovery & Learning Manager | Highland Wildlife Park | Podcast Host @weebluedot

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“Nikki has outstanding knowledge and skill in the theory and application of operant conditioning.

She is an effective manager who offers exceptional guidance and supports the development of team members. Nikki has a clear passion for animal welfare and achieving the best possible care for animals through positive, cooperative training.”

Leitza Gorman

Project Management Officer | Former Senior Animal Care Professional

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“Nikki was a role model to me while I was on placement. She was always enthusiastic and keen to teach me anything I showed interest in.

Her patient and supportive leadership helped me progress and develop hugely. I admire and respect Nikki highly, and look forward to seeing what she does next within the industry.”

Luke McBlain

Veterinary Surgeon | Small Animal Charity Sector