‘I DISCOVERED WHAT REALLY MATTERED’

Angela Day, 54, lives in Bury St Edmunds with her husband John, 55, and swapped sales for dog massaging.

When I watch a dog skip happily into its owner’s arms after a massage session, I know I made the right decision leaving my corporate life behind. Of course, it hasn’t come without its challenges but I have no regrets about changing careers.

I haven’t always been a dog masseuse and, in fact, most of my life has been spent working in credit management. I started my first job in 1987 for a hotel company and soon discovered that I loved pushing myself at work.

I worked my way up the career ladder but, for me, it was never about money. I really liked doing a good job for people, and I got satisfaction from people telling me I was doing well, rather than from the amount I was paid.

But after having my two daughters in 1989 and 1990, and becoming a single mum two years later, my wage became more important.

I was responsible for the bills and mortgage and, luckily, earning £60,000 per year meant I could cover it all and have money left for the odd luxury.

But what I loved more than anything was lavishing my three pet huskies with love and affection. The material things I owned didn’t come close to the love I felt for them. Sky, Shadow and Storm were my furry babies, and at the end of a busy day, they’d all be there waiting for me.

I married in 2001. And it was a few years on, in 2014, that I was at a local dog event with my own dogs when a lady offering muscular health checks noticed that Storm had an issue. She said he had a lot of knots along his spine. I’d noticed his back twitching at times, but hadn’t realised.

I signed him up for some doggy massage sessions and, after three of them, he was pain free. It was miraculous, but also quite expensive!

So I decided if my dogs were going to need any more massages, then I’d need to learn how to do it. In 2014, I went along to a local college and spent the next two years doing a canine massage course. At first, it was just a hobby, but the more I learnt, the bigger my passion became.

In 2019, with my husband’s support,

I handed in my notice and started my own dog massage business.

I had some savings, which saw me through the first few months, but it was still tough.

Now, my business is doing really well, and I get so much satisfaction from helping dogs to live pain-free lives.

✱ borntorun.org.uk