A leading canine education expert is preparing to run her first London Marathon in memory of animal welfare pioneers Sarah Fisher and Anthony Head, with a promise to tackle the course dressed as a pink fairy if she reaches her fundraising target.
Jo Middleton, Director of Studies at Canine Principles, will take on the 26.2-mile challenge in April 2027 to raise at least £2,500 for Battersea.
Despite admitting that she is “not a natural runner”, Jo has begun an eight-month training programme ahead of the race.
Her marathon effort will also pay tribute to her late father, who completed the London Marathon twice dressed as a pink fairy while raising money for CLIC Sargent, now known as Young Lives vs Cancer.
Jo said: “Right, I have said it out loud now, so it is happening. In April 2027 I am running the London Marathon. It will be my first one and I am not a natural runner, so I have no illusions about being a fast one.
“My dad ran it twice, both times dressed as a pink fairy, raising money for CLIC Sargent. If I hit my fundraising target, I am going to be dressing as a pink fairy in his memory.
“I am running for Battersea because, while everyone knows them for the dogs and cats, their education and grant work reaches rescues, staff and volunteers right across the country, including people I know and work alongside. The ripple effect from that is huge.
“I am also running in memory of Sarah Fisher and Anthony Head, who were both Battersea ambassadors. Sarah’s teaching shaped how I work with dogs. It still does, and it always will.
“If this was not a cause I truly believed in, there is no way I would ask people for money. Any amount people are able to donate will be very gratefully received.”
Sarah Fisher, one of Britain’s most respected animal behaviour experts and welfare campaigners, died in December 2025 at the age of 61.
From Tilley Farm, near Bath, she developed Animal Centred Education, known as ACE, an approach based on careful observation, appropriate movement and giving animals opportunities to interact with different surfaces, textures and sensory experiences.
ACE Free Work encourages animals to explore at their own pace and make choices without pressure. The approach has helped dog guardians and professionals develop a deeper understanding of posture, movement, comfort and emotional wellbeing.
Sarah and her long-term partner, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Merlin and Ted Lasso actor Anthony Head, were named Battersea ambassadors in 2018. They fostered and rehomed dogs, supported fundraising and rehoming campaigns and helped the charity at events.
Anthony died aged 72 in June 2026 following complications from pneumonia, just six months after Sarah’s death. Battersea described him as a “true champion for all rescue animals” who would be deeply missed. Battersea’s tribute to Anthony Head
Jo’s professional work continues the compassionate and dog-centred principles that Sarah championed.
Canine Principles provides online education for dog guardians, trainers, behaviour professionals and people working in animal rescue. Its courses are written or delivered by qualified specialists and focus on current canine science, welfare, positive reinforcement and reward-based practice.
The organisation offers learning for everyone from interested dog guardians to established professionals. Its courses are externally accredited, while Canine Principles is also recognised as a centre approved to deliver qualifications from the Ofqual-regulated AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group. Canine Principles
Jo has spent more than two decades developing canine education programmes informed by behavioural science, stress physiology, learning theory and her experience of supporting dogs affected by trauma.
Now she faces an altogether different test as she swaps canine cognition for long training runs, sore legs and the prospect of completing one of the world’s best-known marathons wearing fairy wings.
“I have eight months of training ahead of me,” Jo added. “Please expect complaining!”
Donations can be made at: justgiving.com/lm2027jomiddleton
