We sat down with two of the Hunters Dog Holiday team to hear why becoming part of their network of dog boarders is the perfect career change for anyone looking for self-employed flexibility, emotional and physical wellbeing and daily dog cuddles.
They say never work with children or animals. Now, we can’t attest to the former statement. But for Hunters Dog Holidays, the latter is certainly not true. In fact, for the growing number of members among its ranks, working with dogs is the main appeal of a complete change in career.
This network of trusted, vetted, licensed dog boarders provides homes-from-home to dog lovers who want the very best for their pets. The sister company of Claire’s Comfy Canines – an award-winning, five-star doggy day care in Burnham – Hunters is looking for new members to join its mission.
They have one key requirement of potential new members: loving dogs is a must. Otherwise there is no need for qualification or experience. Because, as they say, with the exception of a few logistical non-negotiables, having the right attitude is key, and everything else they can teach and nurture.
Living proof of this philosophy are Hunters’ Head of Training Laura, and most recently-qualified boarder, Gwen. Laura left a career in hotel hospitality and Gwen a senior position in HR, both to pursue careers with dogs, having been inspired by the company’s attitudes to wellbeing of its staff and furry clientele.
“A career working with animals was never on my radar, but coming from a job I really didn’t enjoy, to doing something I genuinely love every day has been like coming up for air,” says Laura. “I love that dogs have no expectations of you.
“They always say, if you want positivity in your life, surround yourself with positive people. There aren’t many dogs who aren’t positive, as long as they’re having their enrichment needs met.
“My days are spent with my lungs full of fresh air, where I can stop worrying about things and enjoy these animals.”
“I was very ill last year, and when my job in the corporate world ended, I was looking for something new that would get me out of the house and walking,” says Gwen. “I’ve always loved animals and had started walking dogs on an ad hoc basis when someone told me about Hunters. Since then, I haven’t looked back.”
As well as spending all day every day surrounded by dogs, flexibility is a key benefit of a career with Hunters, something that has seen an unprecedented level of focus since the pandemic. According to the CIPD, 4 million Brits have changed careers since lockdown, because of a lack of flexibility in their former workplace.
“I was so used to this highly structured corporate environment, but I love the fact that with this job, nothing is set in stone,” says Gwen. “My days blur into one. I didn’t even realise it was Monday this week, I was just enjoying walking the dogs through the woods, and then cuddling up on the sofa afterwards. It’s just so calm, and peaceful. You have time to breathe.”
Hunters’ aim is to create a membership package that takes the stress and loneliness out of running a dog boarding business, where members are trained to become verified and part of a national network, while remaining self-employed.
“What made me able to make the jump was the level of support I received,” says Gwen. “I’d been exploring how to work with animals, but the amount of paperwork involved, it just felt so overwhelming. Hunters really supported me with the licence application and all the must-haves for this industry. And that level of care comes up when I talk to customers. I say, yes you might find somewhere for £10 cheaper, but at what cost? Are they licensed? Are they first-aid trained? Does their garden have the right fencing? Do they have an emergency policy, or even a lost keys policy? These things are important, and Hunters helped take the stress out of them for me.”
“For me, this is about complete job satisfaction,” says Laura. “It’s about a better work-life balance, where people don’t have to worry about finding clients or the admin of running their own business, that’s what the network is for. All you have to do is love dogs, and we’ll teach you the rest.”
To find out more information, visit the Hunters website and download a membership prospectus, or give the team a call on 07760383988.
To see more from Hunters, visit: https://wokingham.today/every-dog-has-its-day-could-hunters-dog-holidays-be-the-career-change-youre-looking-for/
