Dylan, Brynmor and Sir Gareth’s ‘other mum’ Nia is a devoted dog lover who has played a huge part in Sir’s Gareth’s incredible transformation. She loves all the dogs in her care like they are her own.
“Hello, I’m Nia, city girl now but farm girl at heart. Grew up in the middle of nowhere on a hill farm just outside Sennybridge, Brecon.”
Nia the Dog Lover
Firstly and most importantly, do you have any dogs?
Yes, Rubi the chopsy little Jack Russell!
Describe your dog in three words?
Courageous, fit, never full!
What do you love most about your dogs?
Always there when I need her. There’s no better feeling than the love, respect and admiration of a dog.
What are Rubi’s likes?
ANY food, chasing her ball on the beach and snoozing in front of the log burner.
Anything Rubi doesn’t like?
Big bouncy dogs approaching that she doesn’t know.
What’s her favourite food?
Chicken sausages!
Cheeky habits?
Attacking the hoover so she gets sent to her bed, and therefore rewarded for it.
Party trick?
There are quite a few… Up, Down, Wait, balancing treats on nose/paws, spin. But my personal favourite – the ‘trust fall’ onto the pillows!
Nia the Entrepreneur
Tell us a little about your business Natures Dog Walks
I started my dog walking business in April 2019 after working for a dog walking agency in Cardiff and realising I wanted this to be my career, after retiring from teaching and not knowing what I wanted to do next.
I run group walks, daycare and boarding services and am licenced by Cardiff Council.
No day is ever the same, be it weather, traffic or dogs rolling in fox poo, it always varies.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a business?
Do it. It really is the most rewarding thing knowing you’re making a difference by providing a service. Do it right and you’ll make a little community of friends along the way.
What is the biggest challenge you face?
Traffic and some of the general public not providing enough space/time for us to keep the dogs safe in a controlled environment.
What are you goals for the next 5 years?
Business:
- I’d love to buy/rent a field in Cardiff/surrounding areas and run a fun, stimulating and enriching daycare and boarding facility. I’d also love to provide training and de-sensitising skills to any dog that may be a flight risk when it comes to livestock (sheep mainly).
- Offer doggy holidays/adventure weekends and get the van converted into a camper with purpose built ‘dens’ so we can camp on a mountain or the beach.
- Set up another arm to the business at home in Brecon.
Personal:
- Everest base camp
- Complete a triathlon
What’s your most fascinating fact?
I have a Guinness World record for ‘the most runners linked to complete a marathon (122).’ We raised over £100k for Cancer Research Wales, a charity very close to my heart.
Can you name three individuals who have inspired you along your journey?
My mum and Rubes!
What’s your favourite book?
Arthur the King (yes it’s a book about a dog!) which has more recently been made into an Amazon film – a great read/watch.
