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.
“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.
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“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.
Once qualified, he moved with his family to Norfolk and thought his new garden would be the perfect place to meet canine clients.
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“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.”
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.”
