Lord Leroy’s Lodge, a home from home dog boarding kennel in Castlebridge, has won three awards at the inaugural Local Pet Awards which were held in Dublin earlier this month.
The business, which was set up by Sinead Ryan earlier this year, was named national Pet Sitter of the Year and won two specialist category awards for its wedding chaperone service and therapy dog service.
Sinead was joined by her children Sarah and Noah on the night, both of whom have been instrumental in Lord Leroy’s Lodge’s (LLL) success since it first began inviting dogs to its specially adapted home in Castlebridge.
“The pet sitter of the year award was a big one for us, it was a big achievement and recognition of the hard work we’ve put in. It was important for me to have Noah and Sarah there with me on the night as they have been hugely important in the growth of the business,” said Sinead.
“They help out with the dogs during their free time and Sarah has been taking part in training our own dogs (Pepsi and Matilda) as therapy dogs. My husband Paudy, couldn’t be with us on the night as he was at home minding some of the dogs. ”
LLL’s therapy dog service has seen Sinead and Sarah bring two of their pets to the local nursing home in Castlebridge once a week, and Sinead says it has proved a big hit with residents.
“They love them, even if they’re in bed and we’re passing their room they’ll call us in so they can see the dogs,” she says, “we thought maybe Matilda might be too young at seven months to be a therapy dog but she passed all her training with flying colours. We had a Halloween themed event there last month and are planning on doing something special at Christmas too.”
A service which has becoming increasingly popular in Ireland, and has seen Sinead attend a number of weddings across Wexford, is dog chaperoning. “We started doing them during the summer and they’ve proved very successful so far, people at the weddings seem to love it, we just bring the dog around, let them mingle and meet everyone, do whatever the couple wants. I’m hoping someone will ask us to train the dog to bring the rings up, I’m waiting for that to happen.”
Although they have had a number of requests regard-ing available dates during the Christmas break, Sinead said LLL would be closing for a few days during the holiday season to allow the family to spend some time together before returning in the New Year.
Earlier this year Lord Leroy’s Lodge also collaborated with Everita Kenny Wedding Planner for a bridal fashion show fundraiser with all proceeds going to the WSPCA, Wexford Marine Watch and the Hope Cancer Support Centre.
For more information about Lord Leroy’s Lodge and their services please visit www.lordleroyslodge.ie
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