Getting her first dog sparked the idea for a thriving County Durham business that is now helping hundreds of owners better understand their pets.
Evie Hole-Todd, 21, from Gainford can often be found surrounded by packs of happy dogs bounding across fields, working with owners whose pets have complex behavioural issues, or planning the next stage of her rapidly growing business.
What started as a one-woman dog walking service has grown into Wuffalo, a business helping hundreds of dogs and their owners build stronger relationships through walking, training and behaviour support.
Now, less than three years after launching, Evie leads a team of five dog walkers, works as a specialist canine behaviourist and recently opened her own secure dog field, Wuffalo Park, in Gainford.
Evie said: "I've always loved animals and I've always had dogs around me growing up.
"I worked in the NHS and loved helping people, but I always knew I wanted to build a life around animals. Then I got my Bedlington Whippet, Whisper, in 2021 and he really changed everything for me.
Evie Hole-Todd, 21, from Gainford (Image: SUPPLIED)
"I started thinking, how can I incorporate dogs into my work and my life every day? That's what inspired me to start dog walking and then move into behaviour work and training."
Since launching the business at the end of 2023, Evie has immersed herself in learning everything she can about canine behaviour.
She completed qualifications in dog behaviour and training before becoming one of only a handful of Impackt Accredited Behaviourists in the UK and Ireland.
Today, she works with everything from puppies taking their first steps to dogs struggling with aggression, reactivity, recall and lead walking.
But unlike traditional training methods that focus solely on correcting behaviour, Evie's approach centres on understanding why a dog behaves the way it does.
Evie Hole-Todd, 21, from Gainford (Image: SUPPLIED)
She said: "For me it's about understanding the whole dog.
"It's not just about fixing a behaviour you can see. Every dog has its own experiences, emotions, instincts and environment.
"When you take the time to understand why a dog is behaving in a certain way, you can help both the dog and the owner so much more. That's where the real change happens."
Alongside the behaviour work, dog walking remains at the heart of Wuffalo.
The business runs daily social walks where carefully selected groups of dogs are given the opportunity to exercise and interact together in a safe environment.
Evie Hole-Todd, 21, from Gainford (Image: SUPPLIED)
She said: "We're really passionate about proper socialisation. We want dogs to learn how to be around other dogs in a calm, positive way. It's about matching the right dogs together and giving them appropriate experiences.
"We can have up to 10 dogs out at a time, but every dog is assessed first. Some dogs thrive in bigger groups while others need something smaller. It's all about understanding what works best for that individual dog."
The latest addition to the business is Wuffalo Park, a secure dog field that opened at the end of July in Gainford and has quickly become the headquarters of the business.
Evie Hole-Todd, 21, from Gainford (Image: SUPPLIED)
The site includes two separate fields, a large adventure area and a dedicated enrichment space complete with scent activities designed to stimulate dogs mentally as well as physically.
While watching dogs race around the field is rewarding, Evie says an important part of her work is teaching dogs how to relax.
She said: "We want dogs to enjoy themselves, but we also want them to be able to switch off.
"A lot of people think socialisation is all about dogs running around together, but being calm around other dogs is just as important.
"We've created spaces where they can explore, use their noses, relax and learn how to regulate themselves. That's a massive part of what we do."
Despite the growth of the business, Evie says the most rewarding part of her job remains seeing the difference it makes to people's lives.
Evie Hole-Todd, 21, from Gainford (Image: SUPPLIED)
Many of the dogs she works with arrive facing behavioural challenges that can leave owners feeling isolated or unable to enjoy everyday activities.
She said: "The thing I love most is helping people.
"When a dog has behavioural issues, it can completely change somebody's life and limit what they can do. Seeing that transformation and helping owners build a better relationship with their dog is incredible.
"You see people gain confidence again and you see dogs become happier. That's what makes all the hard work worthwhile."
Her own dogs, Whisper and Noodle, play a key role in that process and work alongside her every day.
She said: "They're everything to me. They probably spend more time with me than most people do.
"They help with behaviour work, they help other dogs learn and honestly, I couldn't do what I do without them. Seeing them thrive every day is one of the best parts of the job.”
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Evie says she hopes to continue growing her business in the future and help dogs to live “their best lives.”
She said: "For me, at the end of the day, my job is all about trust, understanding and helping dogs live their best lives.
"And if we can help owners do that too, then we've achieved what we set out to do."