Oonagh on the scent of success with doggie care

People could be forgiven for thinking that Oonagh O’Brien was barking mad when she decided to quit a career with a six-figure salary to set up a daycare and training centre for dogs.

But for the 32 year-old – who is originally from Laois and living in Galway for more than a decade – the risk of pursuing a dream has paid off.

Her passion for animals and animal care, combined with her background in accounting, plenty of research, hard work and determination gave her a business – and lifestyle – where she can do what she loves most.

Oonagh set up Trusty Pet Pals in Briarhill Business Park (near Galway Racecourse) almost two years ago, and it is already firmly established as a leading centre in the West of Ireland for the ethical training of dogs, doggie daycare, boarding kennels and grooming.
In fact, it’s the only business of its kind in Galway, with the nearest similar operation being in Ennis.

Trusty Pet Pals is now proving hugely popular with dog owners here, so much so that Oonagh has three staff and there are regularly between 30 and 40 dogs in daycare, while the training courses are also a real draw.

Not bad for someone who took the plunge, quit her job as an accountant, and set up a business on the cusp of the recession.
The business centres on the concept of ‘positive reinforcement’, which she explains is a science, as opposed to a method of dog training. It’s all about promoting animal welfare, owner education and providing a fun and controlled environment for dogs to socialise in.

Oonagh worked for six-and-a-half years with a medical devices company, where she was being prepped as the next Financial Controller with a six-figure salary.

But she realised that she looked forward to her part-time dog-walking and pet-sitting at the weekends, much more than her day job.

The seeds for a dramatic change in career direction had been sown.
“I realised I was looking forward to my weekend job a lot more than my day job, but I knew that there wasn’t really enough business to generate a full-time income from it.

“With a job like that, you either see yourself in it in ten years time, or you don’t. My idea was really taking my attention away from the day job!

“I knew I’d be taking a huge paycut, but I knew I’d enjoy the work so much more. Because of my background in accounting and my business head, I knew I had to research the idea.

“So I researched lots of other dog-related businesses in Ireland, the US and Australia to find out what type of qualifications they had. I already had a canine ‘first responder’ course completed,” she said.

While considering her business plan, she travelled to Namibia to volunteer with wild animals for a few months, and also volunteered at weekends with the GSPCA when she returned to Galway.

“There were so many dog walkers and pet-sitters in Galway, and everyone had a little bit of business. But I was being asked if I could take a dog for four or five hours. There wasn’t anywhere to bring them in Galway weather, so that was the business I wanted to set up,” Oonagh explained.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.