Heart Dogs Crew
Your Partners in Paws and Purpose
Heart Dogs
Welcome to Heart Dogs, where we celebrate the extraordinary power of dogs to change lives. We’re more than just a team – we’re a global crew united by a shared love for dogs and a deep passion for helping people thrive.
Why Heart Dogs? Because life is simply better with a wagging tail by your side. Our mission is to pair you with a trained companion who not only supports you but also helps you unlock your full potential.
Join us on this amazing journey, and together, let’s create a bond that transforms everything.
Meet The Crew
We’re the passionate team behind Heart Dogs, dedicated to crafting the perfect blend of training, care, and love for every dog and their human.
Kirsten Dillon
Co-Founder & Head of Training
Co-Founder & Head of Training
With over two decades of experience in animal behaviour, Kirsten has dedicated her career to training assistance dogs. As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, she combines scientific research with compassionate, force-free training methods to create effective, ethical solutions. Her expertise spans multiple species, and she has worked with leading organisations, including Dog Assistance in Disability (A.I.D.). Her work is also regularly featured in media and television.
Santanu Deb Barma
Co-Founder & Head of R&D
Co-Founder & Head of R&D
Leveraging 20+ years of product management experience, Santanu approaches dog training as a complex, nuanced product development challenge. His background in AI, Blockchain, and Cloud technologies allows him to design training programs that combine innovative methods with emotional sensitivity. At Heart Dogs, he focuses on developing training methodologies that are adaptive, effective, and deeply attuned to individual dog and human needs.
Steffen Schubert
Co-Founder & Head of Governance
Co-Founder & Head of Governance
With 35 years of experience in corporate governance and capital markets, including leadership roles at NASDAQ-Dubai and the Bavarian Stock Exchange, Steffen brings strategic depth to Heart Dogs. His approach is about creating robust, sustainable systems that support growth while maintaining clear, ethical direction. A strong advocate for innovation and integrity, he ensures our strategy remains aligned with our goal of creating impactful, life-changing human-dog partnerships.
Vijay Raghunathan
Co-Founder & Head of Operations
Co-Founder & Head of Operations
With over two decades of leadership experience across startups and large enterprises, Vijay blends technology and innovation to advance the world of assistance dogs. His expertise in technology - combined with a deep passion for dogs - drives Heart Dogs’ mission to make high-quality service dogs more accessible. A globally recognised thought leader in Blockchain and AI, Vijay applies cutting-edge advancements to enhance training efficiency, ensuring every dog reaches its full potential.