A DOG trainer says she is overwhelmed after being named as a finalist for “best dog trainer of the year”.

Joe Nutkins, a certified trick dog trainer, has a more than 40 strong animal empire at her home in Ardleigh - including the world’s first official trick duck.

She has been selected as a finalist for the Animal Star Awards after standing out among 481 other nominees.

The 41-year-old said: “It’s really lovely being recognised for the work you do, especially when it follows the year we have just had as I haven’t been able to see my human or dog clients for a while.

“It is quite overwhelming really that people have still actually benefitted and they are thinking ‘Joe did this to help us, this is really nice, let’s recognise her’.

“To me, it means more than a regular year because of the difficulties we have faced. When you are talking to a video camera you have no idea if people are smiling, frowning, nodding in agreement.

“It’s just really nice people are appreciating what I am doing even though it’s not the full service; to be nominated was great, to be a finalist is very exciting and quite touching.”

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Following Boris Johnson’s road map out of lockdown, Mrs Nutkins can begin to offer one-to-one sessions in her outside paddock from March 8, before larger sessions from March 29.

And she is prepared for any weather eventuality with her outdoor sessions.

She added: “I am prepared with parasols to take on the rain as you can guarantee the weather will be awful when I re-open.

“I can’t wait to see my clients and meet all the new people and their dogs. I am really, really excited.

“Some people love seeing other people with their dogs and catching up. I’ve had messages from people saying how much it is affecting them not being able to get out and do this.”

The winners of the competition will be announced on March 28.