For Nantwich mum-of-two Laura Ellis animals have been a lifeline offering comfort and support through some of the most difficult chapters of her life.
Born with cerebral palsy, Laura, 33, struggled with walking, balance and motor skills as a young child and had to wear splints making her feel different from other children.
Bullied in mainstream school, she found solace in caring for animals and visiting her grandparents’ farm where she formed a special bond with their Collie dog Toby.
Through Riding for the Disabled she discovered horses. In the saddle she developed core body muscle and leg strength allowing her to walk without splints by the age of seven.
Sadly in her teenage years she developed scoliosis – curvature of the spine – and a bulging disc in her lower back. Her parents split and again it was the fact each had a dog that helped her through.
Now Laura, from Sound, has turned her love of animals into a dream job running her own business, Nantwich-based Poole’s Paws Animal Assisted Interventions.
With her therapy dogs she works with schools, SEND settings, care homes and individuals, providing sessions that support learning, wellbeing, confidence, communication and animal awareness.
Her team has grown to include pygmy goats, chickens, guinea pigs and even a tortoise all living on the small-holding she shares with husband Ian and their two children aged four and eight.
“Helping people with additional needs means so much to me, as I have relied so much on animals throughout my whole life,” said Laura.
“I’ll always remember farm dog Toby and the hours I would spend stroking him. It was tough for me in school but animals were my lifeline and it brings me joy to see them support others.”
Despite her struggles in education, Laura went on to gain a Bsc (hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Reaseheath College. The family dogs were her backbone throughout.
Buying Sidney, her own personal therapy dog as an adult, paved the way to becoming self-employed. Together they completed the training so the Labrador could become a certified therapy dog.
Never from her side, Sidney even attended the couple’s wedding helping to ease Laura’s anxiety as she walked down the aisle.
The golden Labrador retired this summer and following in his paw-steps was Fern, a black lab who is also trained to help with tasks round the house and pick things up off the floor.
Last year the family moved to an adapted bungalow with an acre of land where the menagerie has grown to include the pygmy goats, silkie chickens, guinea pigs and tortoise Wilson.
With the help of Ian who loads the animals on a trailer, Laura travels across Cheshire East to clients and would love to hear from others who feel they could benefit from animal assisted therapy.
She added: “Being disabled myself, and building my own business, has allowed me to create a career that I can adapt around my abilities and manage in a way that is sustainable for me.
“It has given me the opportunity to continue doing work I love while also supporting other people who may have their own additional needs or challenges.
“Despite my daily struggles with my own health, I am living my dream.”
