About HillTop Hounds

"James has successfully helped to walk, feed and clean the dogs and cats at the animal shelter. He completed tasks well when asked and always does his best."

"James has been a great help in carrying out the day-to-day work at the shelter. He has worked well with all the other volunteers and staff and the dogs."

"James worked closely with our most challenging dogs, many of whom arrived with fear, frustration, and reactivity issues. He applied Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT) principles — reading each dog's body language, working at the dog's pace, and creating calm, low-pressure learning experiences that let the dogs choose to approach triggers rather than being forced past them. The progress we saw in dogs that had previously struggled to cope in kennels was remarkable, and several went on to successful rehoming as a direct result of his work."

"James worked for me for 5 years during his animal behaviour and welfare studies. He was always punctual, polite and hard working. He followed instruction well and was a huge help at my puppy classes. He is keen and willing to learn and the clients found him to be a friendly and able assistant."

"James demonstrated enthusiasm and diligence in completing all assigned tasks. These included exercising and feeding police dogs, cleaning kennels, grooming dogs, and preparing food. Additionally, James had the opportunity to observe police dog training. James consistently identified tasks that required attention and took proactive steps to complete them without being prompted. His contributions proved invaluable to the kennel staff during his placement in the dog section."

"James possesses a deep affection for dogs, and it is evident that they reciprocate this sentiment. He maintains a professional demeanour and demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and skill enhancement. During his work experience at a dog grooming salon, James exhibited trustworthiness, reliability, and politeness. While dog grooming may not have aligned with his interests, he has since established a thriving and fulfilling business in dog walking, training, and pet sitting. Notably, he has secured a private field for the dogs' exercise, which he clearly enjoys. James's dedication and hard work are commendable, and I extend my best wishes for his continued success in the future."

"James has made significant progress in his training. His confidence has grown, and his efficiency has improved. He is demonstrating the potential to become an effective dog trainer. James is highly enthusiastic and adheres to instructions diligently. He is also reliable and demonstrates good customer service skills."

"James joined us while studying hospitality and catering, working a few hours three or four times a week. He started handing out leaflets and quickly progressed through every station — pot wash, drink stock replenishment, serving customers, barista work making coffees, iced smoothies and milkshakes, and finally main-line food preparation and plating up dishes. He even trained new staff. His willingness to learn every role made him invaluable."

"James worked his way up from pot wash to main-line chef across our Worcester and Gloucester kitchens — a demanding, fast-paced environment, especially for someone navigating neurodivergence and dyspraxia. His focus, reliability, and genuine care always stood out. When he was promoted, he was even selected to attend the managers' golf day and dinner with my partner — despite not yet being a manager himself — a testament to how highly the team valued him. When he decided to set up HillTop Hounds, I was proud to support his transition. Jasper, my cocker spaniel, was one of his very first walking clients."

"I have used his dog walking service for my cocker spaniel Jasper. I find his knowledge and understanding of dogs reassuring. Jasper loves his runs — he gets so excited when they come to take him out."