Kindness leads the way as dog educator Jo Middleton wins national leadership honour
A dog educator who champions compassion for animals and the people who care for them has been recognised as one of Britain’s leading lights in kind leadership.
Jo Middleton, educational director of Canine Principles, has been named on the UK’s 2026 Kindness & Leadership, 50 Leading Lights list after being nominated by colleagues.
The recognition celebrates leaders whose approach helps others flourish, putting empathy, honesty and support at the heart of their working lives.
For Jo, whose work promotes ethical education about dogs and their behaviour, the honour carries particular significance because it began with the people she works alongside.
She said: “This award means an enormous amount to me, particularly because I was nominated by my colleagues. Knowing that the people I work with felt moved to put me forward makes it incredibly personal and special.
“Kindness is at the heart of everything we are trying to achieve, both in how we support people to learn and in how we understand and care for dogs. I want people to feel listened to, supported and confident enough to ask questions, develop their knowledge and make a difference.
“To have that recognised is a real honour. I am very grateful to my colleagues, and proud to work with people who share such a strong commitment to compassion and ethical practice.”
Canine Principles is an online education provider offering courses, workshops and qualifications in canine behaviour, training, health and wellbeing for dog professionals and owners.
Its teaching centres on understanding dogs’ needs and emotional experiences, helping people build their knowledge through an approach grounded in canine science.
The organisation pledges to teach kind, force-free, positive methods that support dogs’ mental and physical wellbeing. Its ethical approach places respect for the animal at the centre of learning, encouraging understanding and humane support.
That philosophy also shapes Jo’s wider work in canine education. Alongside her position at Canine Principles, she holds leadership roles with the International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour and the International Institute for Canine Ethics.
The Kindness & Leadership campaign, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Financial Times seeks to challenge assumptions about what makes an effective leader, highlighting the role of compassion in building confidence, trust and collaboration.
Founded by Pinky Lilani CBE DL, the initiative recognises people across business, education, charities and other sectors whose leadership makes a positive difference to those around them.
Its judging panel is chaired by Princess Badiya bint El Hassan, with the campaign emphasising that kindness can sit alongside difficult decisions, clear expectations and honest conversations.
