A 44-year-old woman has launched a new dog grooming business after a cancer diagnosis made her rethink her career path.
Emma Donlan started taking on clients for her business, Scruffs 2 Crufts, based at her home in Bradenham near Dereham.
Ms Dolan was a nursery nurse in the Yorkshire Dales for 20 years before she received a health diagnosis that would change the direction of her career.
Cooper helps Emma in her recovery (Photo: Emma Donlan)
“At the beginning of the lockdown, I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer,” he said.
“All my family had to move while I was going through chemotherapy because obviously with the virus I was very vulnerable.
READ MORE: Burt’s Girls and Boyz launch Cars and Caffeine in Dereham
“I struggled with six months of hair loss and my breasts and I tried to go back to work but I felt absolutely devastated at the end of the day.”
Ms Donlan had always wanted to be a dog groomer and took this as an opportunity to train in the field.
Emma always wanted to be a dog groomer (Photo: Emma Donlan)
Once qualified, he moved with his family to Norfolk and thought his new garden would be the perfect place to meet canine clients.
READ MORE: Mid-Norfolk Railway named one of the world’s most beautiful journeys
“Many groomers are on main roads or streets and I now have a shed in a large enclosed garden on a farm with trees and wildlife.
“I thought that while waiting to see the dogs, they could play and run around while their owners had a cup of tea and a chat.”
The new business will be run from Ms Donlan’s garden (Photo: Emma Donlan)
There is plenty of green space for the dogs to run between appointments (Photo: Emma Donlan)
Ms Donlan’s own dog, Cooper the Pomeranian-Chihuahua cross, helped her in her recovery process to understand how important animals are to people.
“He was my therapy,” she added. “If it wasn’t for my dog when I was going through chemotherapy, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get outside and get some fresh air, which is good for you not only physically but also mentally.”
