About Happy Paws Outdoors
Hi, I’m Nicky, the face behind the field.
If you have questions, queries, suggestions, or feedback (good or bad!), please get in touch with me. Not a chatbot, a real human.
Our Story
From a childhood on the farm
to opening the gate
The Beginning
A farm, a family, and a lifelong love of dogs
I have loved dogs since I was tiny. Growing up on Mum and Dad’s farm, animals were always part of our family. Dogs, cats, rabbits, a pet sheep who loved Digestives, cattle, a pony, a horse, even cockatiels.
We had various breeds of dog but since the late eighties, Mum always had Jack Russells which is why I have a big soft spot for them, and terriers in general!
2008
Volunteering for Guide Dogs
I always wanted a dog of my own but knew that the timing had to be right in my life to make such a big commitment. In 2008, so that I could have more interaction with dogs, I began volunteering for Guide Dogs, free running a local owner’s dog. Nearly twenty years later, I am still helping with free running and fundraising.
Having that time off harness, running free, gives these amazing dogs so much joy and it is a pleasure to be a part of such a great charity.
2019
What is a secure dog field?
Fast forward to April 2019 … I didn’t even know secure dog fields were a thing, but after visiting one with a friend and her dog, I loved the whole idea and the seed was sown for starting my own field business.
Sept 2020
Branding & Brambles
What followed was months of market research, conversations, brainstorming…and once I had decided to go ahead, hours and hours of cutting back brambles so we could get the fencing erected!
Dec 2020
The gate opens for the first time
Very excitingly, I opened the gate to my first customer in December 2020 and Happy Paws Outdoors has gone from strength to strength ever since. One day I will count how many different breeds come to the field!
2025
Pip & Eira arrive — going from zero to two
Finally, in 2025, after waiting a long long time, we got our own dogs. Two gorgeous rescue dogs, found abandoned playing together. Going from zero to two dogs has been a big challenge, and we still have lots of training to do, but we adore them and they make us smile every day. Of course, one is a Jack Russell (Pip), and the other a spaniel x terrier (Eira).
to be continued….
The Team
The dogs of Happy Paws Outdoors
Past and present – every one of them part of the story
In Memory of Chip
This website is dedicated to Chip, my chief operations assistant from the beginning (aka Mum and Dad’s wire-haired Jack Russell x Daxie). Handsome, cheeky, lovable (despite his stubborn moments), Chip loved being in the field with us, sniffing out the latest visitors.
Very sadly, we lost him in January 2026, at nearly 14 years old, but he will always be in our hearts and is no doubt chasing heavenly pigeons.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming your dogs to the field.
Sessions available 7 days a week. Book your exclusive field time in just a few clicks
Not a chatbot, a real human
If you have questions, queries, suggestions, or feedback (good or bad!), please get in touch with me.