For years, Jeanette Furstenburg put her lifelong dream of working with animals on hold. Life took her in a different direction, but she never stopped believing that one day she would find her way back to the passion that had captured her heart since childhood.

Growing up overseas, Furstenburg returned to South Africa hoping to pursue a career with animals. However, language barriers stood in her way.

Read more: Support the Spring Festival for Woodrock Animal Animal Rescue on August 31

“At the time, veterinary studies, marine biology and veterinary nursing were all taught in Afrikaans, and I had no knowledge of the language,so I had to put my dream aside.”

Instead, she built a successful career in newspapers before moving into the advertising industry, where she spent many years working in media. While she enjoyed the work, her love for animals never faded.

Everything changed when her father John Widdowson, at the age of 95, came to live with her. After she put her career on hold to care for him, he encouraged her to finally pursue the dream she had spoken about for so many years.

“He told me, ‘Jeanette, now you have the time to follow the passion you’ve always wanted to pursue,’” she recalled.

Also read: R9 000 raised for Woodrock Animal Rescue

Her father generously paid for her studies at the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology, an internationally recognised institution. She began by studying feline behaviour ( Cat behavior that includes common actions like slow blinking to show affection, )before enrolling for her diploma in companion animal behaviour therapy.

Although her father passed away at the age of 102 during her studies, Furstenburg remained determined to make him proud.

“I wanted to earn a distinction for him, I was doing the qualification now in his memory and I did.”

Today, as a qualified Animal Behaviourist (DipCABT), Furstenburg helps strengthen the bond between people and their pets.

She assists owners in understanding and managing behavioural challenges such as noise phobias, storm and fireworks anxiety, excessive barking, pulling on the lead and reactivity through positive, science-based methods including desensitisation and counter-conditioning.

Her mission is simple: to improve the lives of both companion animals and the families who love them.

Looking back on her journey, Furstenburg hopes her story will inspire others who may feel it is too late to follow their dreams.

“Never give up,follow your dreams because they are possible. If I can do it, every one of you can do it too.”

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!