Dog-lover dives in to start up Heddon business

As the owner of three German shepherds, she grew interested in working with dogs and took a series of courses on hydrotherapy, which uses water to treat conditions and help prevent disease.

She said: "I'd become interested in animal health, and especially in hydrotherapy, which is used to help dogs to rehabilitate after surgery or to help with fitness, or with back or joint problems.

"There didn't seem to be many people offering canine hydrotherapy in the area, so I thought it might be something I could offer."

Ms Ballard, who lives in Gateshead, opened Tynedale K9 Hydrotherapy at Vallum Farm near Heddon, after successfully pitching her business idea to a panel of experts put together for a competition run by the local council.

Prominent business people including Karen Carr, marketing manager of the MetroCentre, Dave Roberts, the general manager of Benfield Motors and John Marshall, a partner at law firm Dickinson Dees, were recruited by Gateshead Council to put together a package of business support for the winners.

Applicants attended one-to-one and group training programmes designed to prepare them for their pitch, including sessions to develop their business ideas, improve their selling techniques and presentation skills.

Ms Ballard said: "It looked like a great way to get the kind of help I needed to get my business off the ground. So I made contact, and it proved to be a really exciting and stimulating experience."

After making it through, Ms Ballard opened for business. She chose the location so it was within easy reach of veterinary practices in
Newcastle, Gateshead and the Tyne Valley.

She said: "I'd written to every vet in the area to see if there was a genuine need for canine hydrotherapy here, and the answer was an overwhelming yes. That's why we chose to set up here."

Gateshead Council is now running the competition again in the Dunston and Teams area, which has the fewest business start-ups in the borough.