What does it really look like to create a business you love – especially one that works with dogs, supports people, and gives you freedom in your life?
In this conversation, Kate shares her honest journey from a long career in teaching to becoming a professional dog listener and business owner. It’s a story of burnout, bravery, trust, and allowing something meaningful to grow naturally.
From the Classroom to Burnout
Before dog listening, Kate spent over a decade working as a teacher in London. It was a career she once loved – one she poured her energy, passion, and commitment into.
But over time, the reality changed.
The higher she moved up the ranks, the more pressure and frustration she felt. Instead of having a greater impact, the work became increasingly stressful. Eventually, burnout crept in – not just exhaustion, but a deep sense of falling out of love with the job.
Kate reached a point where she knew she couldn’t continue. For her own wellbeing – and for the children she taught – something had to change.
Being Forced to Stop
Life intervened in an unexpected way.
During a run – something Kate used as a stress outlet – she broke her ankle badly enough to be unable to work. Suddenly, everything stopped. She was homebound, living alone, reliant on friends and family, and forced into stillness.
That pause changed everything.
For the first time, Kate allowed herself to reflect honestly. She realised she couldn’t return to the environment she had been in. Shortly after, an email arrived offering voluntary redundancy.
She didn’t hesitate.
Looking back, it felt risky – even out of character. But at that moment, she trusted that stepping away was the right thing to do.
A Lifelong Connection With Dogs
Working with dogs had always been there in the background. From childhood, Kate felt a deep connection with them. Friends and family were never surprised when she said she wanted to work with dogs one day – it had always been part of her story.
She had already been introduced to dog listening through her own family dog and had read widely about the approach. Sitting in a dog listening consultation felt like a lightbulb moment.
That was it.
Kate trained to become a professional dog listener and began the next chapter of her life.
Building a Business From the Ground Up
Starting out wasn’t glamorous.
Kate lived alone, had full financial responsibility, and no second income to rely on. She approached the transition practically – knowing that if needed, she could do supply teaching to support herself while building her business.
She combined dog listening with dog walking and dog boarding – partly to generate income and partly to learn more by working closely with dogs every day.
That decision paid off.
The dog walking and boarding side grew quickly, helping her become known locally and naturally feeding into her dog listening work. Kate learned enormously from watching dogs interact, understanding their personalities, and supporting them in everyday life.
Then COVID hit.
Overnight, everything stopped – and panic set in. But once again, life surprised her. As lockdowns eased, demand exploded. People had adopted dogs in huge numbers, and many needed support.
What Kate feared might end her business ended up accelerating it.
Letting the Business Evolve
As the business grew, Kate brought others on board. Today, she works with a small team who handle dog walking, boarding, and daycare, while she manages the admin and overall structure.
That shift gave her something priceless – time and freedom.
With space to breathe, she leaned further into dog listening and began creating online courses, teaching others about the approach. None of this was planned in advance. It evolved naturally, step by step.
And that’s a key part of Kate’s story – she didn’t force a rigid business model. She responded to what worked, what felt aligned, and what life presented.
Freedom as the Real Success
When asked what the best part of her business is now, Kate doesn’t talk first about money or status.
She talks about freedom.
Freedom to work from anywhere. Freedom to travel. Freedom to give back.
Through her business, Kate supports charitable work and a school in Uganda – something that would never have been possible in her former teaching role. She can spend extended time there, knowing her business continues to run.
That freedom – to choose how and where she lives her life – is what makes the journey worthwhile.
The Challenges No One Talks About
Creating a business you love isn’t without challenges.
In the early days, money was a constant worry. Letting go of a predictable monthly salary took time to adjust to. Working alone was also hard – especially without a peer network.
Finding connection with other dog listeners changed everything. It’s one of the reasons the School of Professional Dog Listeners places such emphasis on community – so no one has to do this work alone.
Confidence was another hurdle. Learning to experiment, try things, and risk getting it wrong took courage. Over time, Kate learned that failure isn’t failure – it’s feedback.
Trusting the Process
Looking back, Kate wishes she had known one thing sooner – that everything was going to be okay.
If you’re reading this and feeling that pull – toward dog listening, toward a different way of working, toward a life that feels more aligned – her advice is simple.
Trust that feeling.
