Karen has dedicated her life to understanding nature and animals and how we can live sustainably on this earth.
After graduating in Environmental Science, she specialised with a Masters degree in nuclear physics and then a PhD proving how certain plants are able to naturally heal the damage to soil from man-made contamination and radiation.

She first came into close contact with Birds of Prey through their use for pest control on landfill sites. She has been a respected falconer for more than 20 years, with most of her birds being given to her after being rescued from injury or owners who were not able to care for these wild creatures as she was.

But she also has another – parallel – life story.
After persistent health problems as a child and a car accident in her 20s that left her with chronic pain, she has faced continual physical and mental health challenges and has had to adapt to chronic fatigue, adrenal failure, and severe allergies. With her scientific background, she learned in detail how conventional medicine treated these conditions, and experienced where it was not able to resolve her conditions long term.

She turned to alternative approaches like reflexology, homeopathy and energy medicine and found they often helped. Inspired to learn more holistic approaches and to help others, Karen qualified to practice Reiki, Seichem, Munay-ki and Plant Essences and has studied extensively how indigenous and ancient civilisations work with plants, animal and elements for healing.

The deep healing she experiences and brings to others comes from weaving all of these strands of her life experience and learning together. The result is her own special therapy approach in Nature and with her Birds of Prey.

Dr Karen Stead-Dexter also teaches, mentors, and does regular public speaking to share her unique combination of scientific knowledge, profound connection with nature and animals, and the skills to integrate them with healing practices.