Niki was born in England, but her parents immigrated to South Africa when she was 2 years old. The first part of her schooling was in South Africa, & at 12 years old she returned to England with her mother.

Growing up in South Africa, she felt as free as a bird, never had shoes on or winter clothes. This was where her love of animals took root. Their house was always full of animals of every description from snakes to rats, birds, dogs, cats etc. Her father was an ex-army officer who was very involved in intelligence work during the 2nd World War, & never really accepted civilian life. He ruled with an iron rod - every person & animal stood to attention when he was around. It was during that time that Niki began to feel that there was a better way to treat both people & animals.

When she returned to England, they lived in a tiny flat & were not allowed any animals. As soon as she was old enough she went to stay in Italy. Here she encountered thousands of homeless stray cats roaming the streets of Italy & she adopted a couple of these cats. When it was time to return to England, smuggled the cats back on the train in a basket. She returned to South Africa at the age of 21, where she has lived ever since. She always wanted to be a Vet, but never had the finances to support herself through University. Her life has been spent learning new things; "Grow until you Go" has always been her motto.

She has had quite a number of different businesses from Squash teacher to African hairdressing, to catering, to owning a food shop as well as helping her husband in his construction company. She worked for 2 years in the office with Eugenie Chopin, & it was there she learn’t about & became addicted to TTouch. 

Niki qualified as a TTouch Practitioner Level 1 in 2003 and went on to qualify as a Level 2 Practitioner in 2005. She consults with clients at their homes as well as at her premises, where she has her school and workroom. In December 2003 she qualified to give Puppy Socialization classes and went on to incorporated clicker into all these classes after qualifying as a clicker Instructor in March 2004. In December 2005 Niki qualified as an Obedience Instructor and is currently giving classes to dogs of all ages at her school in Bryanston. In January 2006 she qualified as a Confi-Kitten Practitioner and is now involved in training up people to be able to give puppy and kitten classes. Together with Kay Aitcheson they founded Bodies In Balance which specializes in teaching both humans and dogs. All the Bodies In Balance courses are on www.puppiesinbalance.co.za

My time spent in the TTouch Office with Eugenie & subsequently my qualifying as a Practitioner In Training, was a realisation of a lifetime goal that I had set myself, to find a way to work with animals. Where I could make a difference to the thousands of ill treated & homeless animals in this country. I have found this with TTouch.”