WATCHING DIFFERENTLY – IN MEMORY OF SARAH FISHER
Watching differently – in memory of Sarah Fisher
I’m feeling numb, with a heavy weight in my heart, after hearing the news last night that Sarah Fisher has passed away.
I can’t begin to imagine the depth of heartbreak her family and closest friends are living with right now. But Sarah’s reach was vast – across countries, continents, species. Thousands and thousands of animals, and the humans who love them, have richer, calmer, more connected lives because they listened to her, learned from her, and soaked up what she gave so generously to the world.
She touched so many people.
And yet I feel such sadness for all those who hadn’t yet had the chance to meet her, to work with her, to learn directly from her. Because it really is life-changing.
Today, on my walk with Bodie, I found myself looking at his green TTouch harness. It was a gift from Sarah the first time we met her at Tilley Farm. As a Battersea rescue dog, she wouldn’t let me pay for it.
I look back now, with a little embarrassment, at that first day I spent with her. I knew so little. I managed Bodie so poorly. And yet Sarah met me with such calmness and kindness, helping me not to feel like a complete fool – even though she would have been entirely justified in thinking, “Oh my… what is this woman doing?”
I remember how stressed I felt. I was worried Bodie would run around and jump up at people. I was trying to stop him pulling towards them. He managed to cock his leg twice on the equipment – entirely down to me.
Through all of this, Sarah calmly and kindly coached me. She showed me how to support Bodie in a completely different way to anything I had known before.
My first time meeting Sarah in person was 17 April 2023. I cried a lot that first day.
There was the realisation that Bodie was probably uncomfortable, maybe even in pain, through his hips and lower back. How could I not know? And alongside that, the equally painful realisation of how little I truly understood about how to support him.
I’m so grateful now that I recorded each session I stumbled through, while Bodie calmly showed me exactly what he needed. Listening back to Sarah’s wise, warm words is both comforting and heart breaking. The tears come easily.
I felt completely out of my depth. Clumsy. Overwhelmed by how much I didn’t know about my own dog. It was challenging and deeply emotional.
And yet it changed the direction of my journey with dogs forever – something I feel incredibly fortunate for.
At the time, I didn’t fully grasp how privileged I was that day to also meet Sarah Whiffen, Sarah Heath, Sue Williamson, Deanna Tennant and Tracey Brind. These are just a few of the incredible ACE advocates Sarah leaves behind.
I’ve learned so much since then – and still feel like I know so little.
I wish I had twenty years ahead of me to learn directly from Sarah.
But she leaves behind an incredible army of friends, instructors, tutors, advocates and trainers who will continue to share ACE Free Work, reaching animals across the world. Her work was never about one person. It was about connection, observation, and respect.
I’m writing this with no attachment to outcome – NATO – one of the many powerful learnings I’ve taken from Sarah. It can be helpful to have an intention, to invite our dogs to explore the stations, but we can go with the flow our dog takes us on.
Some of the other nuggets of gold Sarah shared with me over the last three years include:
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Everything is connected – nothing exists in isolation.
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All movement, and all behaviour, has a function.
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Movement is an integral part of learning and development.
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Finding flow and fluidity in our own bodies supports connection with our dogs.
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The value of chewing, daily, for our dogs – to reduce stress and support the brain.
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ACE Free Work can give a dog a daily dose of happiness.
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ACE Free Work gives animals choice, and a voice.
- The dog is always right.
What Sarah offered went far beyond techniques or setups.
She taught people how to watch.
How to notice posture, breath, hesitation, curiosity. How to stop asking, “How do I get my dog to…?” and start asking, “What is my dog telling me right now?”
For so many of us, that shift didn’t just change our dogs’ lives. It changed how we move through the world ourselves.
Today, the next thing I’ll do is honour Sarah with an ACE Free Work session for Bodie. It’s a chilly, sunny day – 30 December 2025.
I’ll try to remember just a fraction of what you taught me, Sarah.
No matter what I do – because there truly is no right or wrong way – Bodie will relax and have a wonderful time. And I get to watch the incredible animal he is in a way I never would have been able to, if I hadn’t met you.
Sarah, you were a beautiful soul. One of a kind.
You leave a huge hole behind – but also an extraordinary legacy that will continue to unfold, one animal at a time.
STOP! Walking your Dog
Struggling to walk your dog or puppy? Feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Walks are a human invention! Learn practical, fun and easy ways to train your dog to live calmer, happier lives
