The Spark
My journey into canine care started as a child, observing the working dogs on my grandmother’s farm. That early fascination turned into hands-on dedication when I adopted my first dog, my Labrador Keira, over 12 years ago.
My formal step into the canine sector began over a decade ago when I started a small dog training and walking business overseas. Alongside this, I gained hands-on experience helping local street dogs in need. Working alongside volunteers with veterinary experience, we did what we could for dogs facing traumatic injuries, infestations, and severe malnutrition. Seeing that raw side of animal survival taught me the real-world application of both conventional and natural care, and it completely grounded my no-nonsense approach to canine health.
Search & Rescue
Keira and I took our training to the next level by volunteering with the Search and Rescue team. We deployed on tough search missions in grueling conditions, which taught me invaluable lessons about working-dog biomechanics, stamina, and scent work.
However, our path changed when Keira suffered a severe broken leg following an attack by another dog. After months of setbacks, we found a brilliant independent orthopaedic specialist in Essex. Through complex surgery and dedicated hydrotherapy, Keira made an incredible recovery.
Passion to Profession
Because Keira's activity levels had to be carefully managed to protect her leg, maintaining her ideal weight became critical. I studied intensely about food composition and joint supplements to understand exactly what was fuelling her body.
In 2025, a change of circumstances pushed me to turn this ongoing research and passion into a full-time livelihood. I pursued additional formal accreditations, fully licensing and insuring myself to launch a comprehensive dog training, walking, and boarding business.
Birth of The Pet Base
As my knowledge grew, I noticed a distinct gap in the pet retail space: too many big-box stores filled with overwhelming choices and clever marketing. I wanted to offer a carefully curated selection backed by proper science.
After successfully testing the local market in 2023 by having my products sold in the pet section inside Fobbing Farm Shop, I topped up my existing education by completing the BCCS Canine Nutrition Diploma. I wanted my clients to know that when I recommended a product, it wasn't based on guesswork; it was backed by my years of practical knowledge and certified nutritional science.
In October 2025, The Pet Base officially opened at Walton Hall Farm in Linford, then still under the name My Pet Barn, offering a calm, transparent environment for premium, vetted brands.
Looking Forward
Today, with the addition of our second dog, Anya, and our expansion into a second location in Wickford, The Pet Base is going from strength to strength.
Our philosophy remains unchanged: we are here to provide straightforward, fact-based advice and the highest quality products, so you can make the best choices for your best friend.
