UK Enterprise 2020

20 | UK Enterprise Awards 2020 Canine care is not always the easiest to provide, with each dog having its own unique set of requirements, demands and expectations. The team behind Happy Hounds Pet Care not only excel in the field, but are proud to consider their clients to be their friends as well. We take a closer look at this astonishing business to see how they could become a vital part of your pet’s life. Best Canine Daycare Centre 2020 – Merseyside & Best Aggressive Dog Rehabilitation Program 2020 - North West England Jun20404 The UK has always been a country of animal lovers, with pets being an intrinsic part of the nation’s DNA. Mice, hamsters, cats and horses are all considered fair game when it comes to taking on a pet, but none is quite so loyal and endearing as the humble hound. With breathless energy and a dogged determination, they have certainly earned their reputation as man’s best friend. Of course, providing the vital care that dogs need is not always easy. As life becomes increasingly busy, it’s clear that the needs of the family pet do not always align with those of the everyday working life. This is where the team at Happy Hounds Pet Care can assist. Founded in 2007 by Holly Harris, Happy Hounds Pet Care has grown rapidly in the last decade. What was once a one-person operation has grown into a small team of dedicated staffers, each professionals in their own right. The business has its own large premises to accommodate any needs that a dog might have. Much of what Happy Hounds Pet Care provides for pets is support for clients who need daycare, home boarding or training for their pets. With a mindset and ethos that puts “Do No Harm” at the forefront of operations, the team have been able to achieve some incredible results. Needless to say, all the actions that the team takes when looking after your pet are pro-positive reinforcement and anti-positive punishment. The team at Happy Hounds Pet Care have always encouraged an evidence-based approach to looking after your beloved pet, and this is why they have such an impressive skillset. Members of the team are certified in multiple canine disciples, understanding the science that makes dogs act in a certain way. Such an attitude to pets means that the team never stop learning, with new methodologies and ideas being shared all the time. Currently, two of the team are training to be sniffer dog coaches, which will be an exciting complement to Happy Hounds Pet Care’s formidable repertoire. The success of Happy Hounds Pet Care has seen pets from near and far being brought to the local area from an amazing array of different backgrounds. As a small company, it is easy for the team to see their charges not as numbers and labels, but part of a family. Everyone who plays a part in Happy Hounds Pet Care has a real connection with animals, and this is evident from the enthusiasm that clients’ dogs have when they come through the doors every day. This approach has been key to the team’s success. The genuine fondness for each pet that comes through the company’s doors means that the team will always go above and beyond for their client’s animals. Enrichment activities include proprioception, zoopharmacognosy, scent detection, agility and touch to name but a few, encouraging the dogs to thrive in a loving environment. To ensure the utmost in compliance, the team have learned to adapt swiftly and effectively to the changing restrictions implemented by DEFRA and the local council authority. COVID-19 has seen many struggling to open, and the pet care industry is no exception. Many service providers have been forced to close their doors, with some unlikely to ever reopen. The team at Happy Hounds Pet Care made steps to avoid this unfortunate eventuality at the very beginning of the pandemic, operating a skeleton staff to ensure that they could remain within the guidelines of the government. While not considered essential work, for frontline workers, having somewhere to leave a pet during the day is a critical link in the chain that allows them to do their work properly. The company has always worked as a family unit, with everyone at every level taking a hands-on approach to the business. Staff and clients are treated as friends, with an interest taken in what they do outside of the canine community. This creates strong feelings of loyalty for all involved. Each member of staff is expected to apply a level of CPD as they progress through the company, with extracurricular learning encouraged. This is