Thrive Animal Behaviour and Wellbeing
Welcome to Thrive Animal Behaviour and Wellbeing
Thrive Animal Behaviour and Wellbeing is a leading animal welfare and education business dedicated to promoting responsible pet / companion ownership and enhancing animal welfare. We offer a range of services, including practical training, education programs for the public, schools, and NDIS participants, as well as advisory services for wildlife carers and wildlife parks. Our mission is to support the well-being of diverse animal species through our expertise and commitment to animal welfare.
Meet the Team of Thrive Animal Behaviour and Wellbeing
Claudette Merrick
Claudette Merrick began her career in the equine industry at the age of 12, dedicating 15 years to working with horses before broadening her focus to wildlife and animal welfare. With 35 years of experience, she has become an animal trainer, wildlife curator and education manager, successfully overseeing diverse animal collections, managing staff, and collaborating with veterinarians, nutritionists, and behaviorists to ensure species-specific care and well-being.
Her expertise spans enclosure design, the development of educational initiatives, and animal training for presentations and encounters. Claudette has played an active role in the ASZK committee, contributing to the 2023 Animal Training Conference. Her approach to animal training emphasises positive experiences and the importance of giving animals the choice to participate.
Now, Claudette is focusing on promoting responsible pet ownership, aiming to create better homes for pets and their owners. Her extensive experience with birds, reptiles, mammals, canines, and horses equips her with a holistic and versatile skill set, making her a dedicated leader in the field of animal welfare, training and education.
Mel Spittall
With nearly three decades of experience in the equine industry and captive animal welfare, management, and training, Mel’s career spans a diverse range of species and disciplines. This extensive background has shaped her unique approach to equine care and training, offering a broader perspective and specialised expertise in understanding horse behavior.
Mel's experience across various equine roles—including performance and competition, grooming, training, coaching, media and marketing, retail, saddle fitting, equine-assisted learning, and more—equips her with practical insights that directly benefit everyday horse owners. Her deep understanding of animal psychology allows her to provide tailored advice, ensuring horses are not only well-trained and healthy but also truly understood and nurtured.
Mikey Vella
Mikey's passion for animals began in childhood, and since starting his career in wildlife care in 2000, he has accumulated extensive experience in some of Australia's premier zoos and wildlife parks, including Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Over the years, Mikey has honed a diverse set of skills in animal training, care, and well-being.
Specialising in animal training and conditioning, Mikey has excelled in presenting free-flight bird shows and caring for native wildlife, with a particular emphasis on reptiles and amphibians. His dedication to conservation has led him to manage a breed-for-release program for critically endangered species.
Mikey has also played a key role in facilitating workshops and courses focused on the care and rescue of native Australian wildlife, as well as reptile and amphibian husbandry. He brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to the Thrive team, delivering practical and achievable advice with a friendly and understanding approach.
Melissa Lee
Since 2005, Melissa had the privilege of working in the zoo industry, where she gained extensive experience with a diverse range of Australian native mammals, reptiles, and birds, as well as some incredible exotic species. Early in her career, she discovered a passion for animal training, which has allowed her to work with an array of animals—from wombats and dingoes to quolls and birds.
Her love for birds inspired her to specialise in free-flight bird shows and has had the opportunity to collaborate with various bird show teams across Australia. She thrives on the challenge of solving training problems and take great satisfaction in seeing the results that come from empowering animals with the power of choice.
She is excited to join the team at Thrive, where she can look forward to continuing to share her knowledge and passion for animal training, while fully embracing their commitment to animal welfare.