Nikki and Craig Bowden were inspired to launch their own business following the death of their beloved pet dog.

Five years later the couple, a college lecturer and a former engineer, are running Home2Home4Dogs Ltd across two locations and they employ three members of staff.

“We have just completed a new doggy day room to offer more space for enrichment, comfort and cuddles,” said Nikki. “We are so very proud of this added space which has seen our five years of hard work pull together one of our goals.”

The couple regularly take their canine house guests on trips to the seaside, woodland walks and even camping.

They are licenced with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and can offer long stays, short stays and day care.

Nikki added: “When we started the business we were looking after a couple of dogs per week to try to fill the void left by Max. Then we were in a position for Craig to leave his job to work in the business full-time.”

The business offers work experience placements to schools and can collect dogs for day care if people’s personal circumstances mean they struggle to care for them.

They have partnered with another small local business to offer wedding day and honeymoon packages for dog owners.

Home2Home4Dogs Ltd has entered the Small Business of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.