Top dog Deborah lifts national title

AWishaw dog trainer is top of the pups after winning a national award.

Deborah O’Neill, who runs the popular Mizz Paws, has won the Scotland DogTrainer of theYear gong at the Prestige Business Awards.

Delighted Deborah, who began MizzPawswhenshewasonly22, said:“I have worked really hard over the last nine years to build my business, to advance my skills and most importantly to help as many dogs and owners reach their true potential as possible.

“Thankyousomuchtoallmy clients who have always supported meandrecommendedmeoverthe years. It really means a lot.

“Evenfrommychildhoodwe always had rescue dogs and foster dogs with behavioural issues and I enjoyed every minute of training and building a bond with those dogs.

“I don’t think I can fully get across howmuchthismeanstome.

“It’s the best thing that I could’ve ever done with my life it has grown mesomuchasapersonandkeptme on track with achievable goals and just sheer enjoyment from helping and watching dogs improve their quality of life for the better.”

The win capped a rollercoaster year for Deborah.

Last March, two weeks before the lockdown, she broke her leg after falling while she was out walking with six dogs.

She then had to tailor her business due to various Covid restrictions.

Deborah added:“I was walking in a field in Cleland with six dogs when I fell. I broke both my tibia and fibia and was in agony.

“I had to quickly phone my partner tocomeandgetmeandthedog owners as well. I’m just glad they all stayed and didn’t run away.

“That happened a couple of weeks before the first lockdown.

“To be honest I didn’t think the business was going to continue.

“Thankfully we managed to adapt anddomoreZoomsessionsand things like that.

“I was able to do some one-to-one sessions while I was recovering. Thankfully things seem to be improving.

“The support, my partner Dave has given me all the way through is amazing.”