We ARE the pet people....
Book us!Our Team of Pet Lovers
You’ve got to be pretty special to make the team. All Happy Hounders are vetted, checked, trained, monitored and fully supported by the team and their colleagues. When you work with one of us, you get the support of all of us with YEARS of experience. We truly believe our team of friendly, courteous, responsible and professional pet carers are the best around. They are a very talented, educated and diverse bunch who have chosen this profession out of a genuine passion for animals and come rain or shine will give your pet the attention and love they deserve. Read on to find out a little more about a few of the Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats team.
Victoria
Dog Walker, cat sitter & house sitter
After ten years running fundraising campaigns for charities, Victoria decided to travel the World for a year. Having befriended stray dogs and cats in every place she visited, she returned to London and has been working as a pet carer and voiceover artist ever since. However, she’s also ferociously efficient, so we’ve dragged her into the office to put those skills to good use. She still does house sitting and some cat visits too, and your pets and your home could not be in safer hands.
Ewan
Dog boarder
Having been without a dog for a couple of years, after the wonderful Liam, the not very good ex guide dog golden retriever, passed away, Ewan felt it was time to have a bit more dog in his life. Ewan and his lovely wife April adore having a happy hound to stay with them and the dogs adore it in return. As as writers and directors, it fits in with their lives beautifully. Any dog staying there will have a fabulous time.
Lynn
Dog boarding, puppy visits & cat sitting
She acts, she writes and she LOVES animals. Lynn hails from Scotland and after coming down to London for University she now has the best of both worlds, creating her own theatre pieces and spending time with animals, including her own dog Jack-Jack, who adores having dogs to stay. He's chuffed to bits to have new playmates. As are Lynn and her partner Aaron.
Vienna
Dog walking, cat sitting and house sitting
Vienna has been looking after pets professionally for nearly 7 years. After working in secondary schools she fancied a change in who she spent all day with! A true animal lover and believer in good vibes for uneasy animals, joining Happy Hounds was a no-brainer. She is also a singer/songwriter and loves coming home to write after a day of laughs with her animal friends.
Sue
Ex-walker and office team
Sue doesn't do things by halves. So she got a dog. A rescue called Charlie. Sue felt Charlie needed some dog training and so went and saw Caesar Milan. And then realising she rather liked dogs more than she liked working in big business, she joined Happy Hounds, first as a walker which she loved. But then moved. To Norfolk. But we liked her so much we asked if, using the magic of the interweb, she'd carry on working with us and she's helping run day to day business, on and off ever since. We refuse to let her go and you may hear her occasionally quote Al Pacino in the Godfather: "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"
Kelly
Daycare and dog boarding
Happy Hounds has been a fixture in my life for almost six years. I was inspired to become a part of the team because of my very own hound who enjoys engaging with the local hounds and houndettes on his walks. In fact he's become a bit of a local celeb, his bark is well-known around the neighbourhood!
So as a dog enthusiast with lots of compassion, there's nothing better than spending time with them and they love the routine I create for them which includes lovely walks, play and lots of cuddles whether they're here for boarding or doggy daycare.
Jenny
Daycare and dog boarding
Some would say I have the perfect job… and I do! I'm incredibly lucky to work in such a fun and wonderful workplace, that is also my home, with such compassionate and loving people and the most perfect pooches and cute cats! I've always dreamed about working with animals and after working from a young age as a carer, then with children in and out of the classroom, I felt like was in a place where I wanted to pursue my dream and I really couldn't ask for more. I run the Woodford Daycare along with my pup Eva, some say she is the real head honcho... and they'd be right! My home is their home; from the smallest Dachshund to the biggest Newfoundland all are welcome here to play, have fun and get all the love and care they could ever want.
Maeve
Doggy daycare, puppy visits, cat sitting
Maeve is the youngest member of our team, at 18 years old but don't be fooled by her youth! She has had animals all her life, from guinea pigs to chickens to snakes, although she currently has 3 cats and 2 dogs and her experience shows with all the happy hounds & cooler cats. Your pets are in excellent hands with her.
Neil (Tommo)
Dog walking and cat sitting
Neil - Tommo to his friends - is bloomin’ fantastic with animals. A long time dog owner himself, always a rescue from Battersea, he’s a big fan of site hounds. So give him a whippet or a lurcher or something pointy and quick and he’s in heaven! Neil looks after our dog's who need a little more care and attention, on Solo walks and Puppy Sits- he's attentive and has the patience of a saint! He’s also a professional photographer, with bands and gigs his speciality. We do have a lovely creative bunch.
Richard
Dog walking, puppy visits, cat sitting & occassional dog boarding
Richard joined the team after taking early retirement (but he looks so young!) from a long career in banking client services. He was looking for a complete change of direction away from the office, but was keen to retain a client focused role. As a lifelong animal lover he feels that he has found the perfect answer: thoroughly enjoying his new career out in the fresh air looking after our lovely furry clients every day!
Nicola
Dog walking, daycare & office team
Nicola is another we won't let go. She's been travelling for the last year after working with us for two, and we're delighted we've managed to lure her back to Happy Hounds. After graduation she moved to London and was ecstatic to find a job working with animals. Growing up with dogs her whole life, she understands the love and importance of dogs as part of the family. Quickly becoming a key member of the team, she studied dog training as well as managing daycare and it's great to have her back with the us so she can develop along with us.
Lisa
Dog walking, daycare & office team
Since joining the amazing Happy Hounds team, things have changed - being a freelancer script supervisor in television and combining a love of music, I’m now also able to indulge another passion - a massive love of animals. Yes ... Life has changed, my shopping habits are now unrecognisable as I search the net for scented biodegradable poo bags and scan the aisles for special deals on favoured dog treats, I also find myself rescuing snails from exuberant puppies, and now have a full appreciation of the diverse world of the dog harness. But the best change of all is spending time with all the wonderful dogs and cats residing in the area, who luckily for me, have chosen Happy Hounds to look after them.
Hannah
Dog walking, and cat sitting
Who wouldn't want to spend their day covered in dribble!? Working with Happy Hounds has been the best decision I've ever made. I finally traded in sitting in an office for getting lost in the forest! I love the freedom and flexibility and my dogs are amazing (when they behave) I cant resist a big pooch, although I'm sure my bruises would say otherwise...
Davi
Dog walking and more dog walking!
Davi moved to London from Brazil 7 years ago, and currently lives with his wife and two dogs in Leyton. Trapped in kitchens with shouty chefs, he's been working he loves the fact that he now spends his days looking after dogs and enjoying time with them outdoors. He take his dogs on some amazing walks, they NEVER want to go home afterwards. He is pack leader and they all worship him.
Vass
Dog Walker, cat sitter & occasional boarder
Enjoys the company of all animals after being brought up in a household with various different ones. After 18 years shut away in retail and management, always wishing to do something different and outside, Vass worked with the RSPCA before joining Happy Hounds and has never looked back! A music, arts, nature and of course animal lover, always looking forward to a good run about with a pack of dogs.
Natalie
Dog walking and dog boarding
Oh my goodness, she loves a pug. And all of them to be honest. In fact we've banned her from saying the word 'cute'. But nothing Natalie loves more than a fab walk followed by a massive pooch cuddle (assuming they haven't rolled in anything too fragrant). She has a lap and sofa that dogs just love and they all have a great time. She's also super organised and helps run the Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats office along with Sue and Cath. Organising the bookings and sitters is always better with a dog on your lap!
Drew
Dog walking, daycare & office team
11 years ago I moved to London from my native Wales, looking for adventure. However, the adventure would take a backseat, whilst I learned to make ends meet.
For years, I worked mind-numbing office jobs in the city, dreaming of a vocation that was more fun and rewarding; the adventure I'd been looking for. Amazingly, Happy Hounds would eventually help me realize those dreams.
There are so many things I love about working with dogs. I love getting to know their personalities, anticipating their needs, and spending my days walking in nature. Dog walking and puppy sitting is sooo much better than an office job. For a start, in all the time I worked in offices, none of my colleagues ever excitedly greeted me by licking my face. Maybe if they had, I would have stayed there (depending on who's doing the licking, of course).
When I first started working for Happy Hounds, I was so nervous. But now I can't imagine working anywhere else! Except maybe as an ice cream tester. I could totally test ice cream.
Rosie
Dog walking, daycare & office team
Rosie is a cat lady turned dog lover and enthusiast. After working as a swimming teacher with children they have turned that kind nature onto our dogs! Ro is Aunty to our puppers at doggy daycare, they are the best caregiver providing all the cuddles and playtime,- even the baths! Little miss organised makes sure everyone is fed, watered and happy and they LOVE her for it!
Kerry
Doggy walking and boarding
After having a few different career paths, I’ve always known I’ve had a way with animals so, over the past 2 years the dream has been taken into action. I previously worked on a yard of 40 horses which was an eye opener to what hard work really was. After leaving the horsey world I chose to take a career in dog walking which I can honestly say is the best decision I’ve ever made. Happy hounds welcomed me with open arms and can honestly say they’re like family. Everyone works as a team and the support from everyone is excellent. Hard work is never gone unappreciated and it’s all worth it to have happy clients and happy furry friends! Every day at happy hounds is different and exciting, and I’m super excited to see what the future holds! Can I get a woof?!
Harriet
Dog walking, and cat sitting
After spending some years doing grooming, Harriet decided that all the pups being happy to see her was preferable! Following training in animal care she has a gentle hand and spirit which the dogs love! Whether it be group walks or one to one solo’s she has all the patience and care certainly required for this job!
Jayne
Dog Walker, dog boarder, cat sitter
Having worked for a large financial organisation for over 30 years and the later years in London Jayne decided that she wanted a different pace in life and having had a passion for animals since a young age this is the field she turned to. Jayne loves the company of the dogs she walks and cats she feeds and this job also fulfills her love of the countryside. Jayne covers enjoys having dogs to board when they live as part of the family and enjoy lots of attention, love and cuddles!
Sarah
Dog walker & pet sitter
Having lived in Sevenoaks all her life, originally working in property then as a legal PA. Whilst her children were young, she worked in the family courier business and cared for people's horses part time. Once they started secondary school, she decided to look for a different career path. With a total love of the outdoors and being brought up with dogs and horses, presently owning two horses and two dogs of her own, working with animals was always something she had wanted to do.
Kelly
Dog walker, puppy sitter, cat sitter & occasional dog boarder!
After working in care with the terminally ill for five years, Kelly felt it was time for a change. Brought up with a number of dogs and smaller pets, she decided it was working with animals that was best for her. She has been with Happy Hounds since 2011 and loves being outdoors with the dogs and finding new walks to explore.
Julie
Dog walker, puppy sitter and cat sitter
Paul
Dog walker & pet sitter
Paul has been working for Happy Hounds for four years, and over that time he's never met a dog he didn't like! The job gives him time to spend on his passions, animals and nature during the day, and making music in the evenings.
Cath
Top dog & dogsbody
Following a business and marketing career a change of direction was needed. No more office politics for her. Her partner at the time felt the same. So they decided to follow their passion: animals. They decided they wanted to provide a more caring alternative to kennels and catteries that minimised the distress sometimes caused to animals by being away from home and also enabled working owners to have a happy dog without the worry. Many years later the business has grown but we keep the ethos of a family: to care and look after the animals as if they were our own and to work as a team and support each other. To have a lovely working environment with great animals and great people. Most important thing is doing a great job and favourite thing? Apart from cuddling animals, is seeing people doing jobs they absolutely love.