First Emirati female dog trainer

Lt Salma Al Kaabi is among thousands of Emirati women who have broken social barriers and joined police in the UAE.

But the young lady is the first national woman to become an official dog trainer. Although it is a difficult and risky career, Lt. Salma enjoys her work but she admits that she had faced hardships in the early stages.

Lt Salma surprised a packed hall when she presented a police dog training demonstration at a seminar held in Ras Al Khaimah this week to mark the international Women’s Day.

Lt. Salma’s dream was to join the UAE police as she had not first thought to be a dog trainer. She was first appointed at airport security in Abu Dhabi before she was moved to the eastern oasis town of Al Ain. She was later moved back to Abu Dhabi, where she was asked if she wants to train dogs.

“The first dog I trained was 14 months old….I first faced obstacles and challenges but my love of this work and my determination allowed me to surmount all difficulties,” she said, quoted by the Dubai-based Arabic language daily 'Emarat Al Youm'.

Her busy schedule did not deter Lt. Salma from pursuing another dream as she obtained a bachelor degree in law from Dubai’s police academy in 2009. “I was determined to continue my education because good job performance whether by man or woman requires education and continuous learning….commitment and serious work are also essential to succeed in the career.”

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