Hi, I’m Catherine Hepburn, author and illustrator of ‘Is It Okay For Us To Play?’. With a background in Animal Management, I bring together my love of animals, my training in their behaviour, and my passion for children’s education to create stories that help families build safe and positive relationships with their pets.

My creative journey has been shaped by resilience. After a serious illness left me with neurological damage and permanent disability, I had to relearn how to draw and rediscover my artistic voice.

Originally I qualified in Graphic Design followed by a degree in Animation and Special Effects. However a serious illness left me with neurological damage and unable to work in my (at the time) dream field of video game animation.

So I went back to college, I had always loved animals and needed a new career path. I got my Extended National Diploma in Animal Management, I still hope one day to pursue a new degree in Animal Behaviour but have continued my self study and personal development in the meantime until I can try for that goal.

Supported by my late mother, Teresa, and my assistance dogs, Bambi and Bywyd, I found new ways to combine illustration, education, and advocacy into meaningful work.

Today, I’m focused on expanding my body of work to include more guides that encourage empathy, understanding, and safety between children and the animals they love.

I want to say a huge thank you to Darwin Dogs, the absolutely amazing Assistance Dog Organisation that has helped me on my dog training journey with Bywyd. The freedom and confidence I have gained with him at my side has changed my world beyond measure.

Darwin Dogs is a fantastic ADUK Assistance Dog Organisation that helps people train their own Assistance Dog for Mental Health and Autism related disabilities. I encourage everyone to visit their webpage to find out more about their mission and, if you wish, find out ways you can support their goals.