Animals have been my companions and greatest teachers for as long as I can remember. After years in the corporate world, I followed a lifelong dream: to spend my days caring for them. Holty Paws began with Harvey, and my wish for him to feel as loved and understood away from home as he did with us. Today, that same wish shapes every walk, home visit and moment at the stable.
Care that knows them
We care for the family members you entrust to us with warmth, patience and joyful attention. Meet the people, and the much-loved dog, who shaped the way we work.
Care in the details
They tell us who they are.Every companion tells us what a good day feels like. One dog delights in familiar friends; another needs a quieter path and time to sniff. Cats settle when their home routine stays familiar, while horses ask for patience and trust.
We listen first: to the details you know by heart, the small signs they give us and what helps them feel secure. From a familiar walk to a quiet moment at the stable, those little things shape the care we give.
Trust begins with listening
It takes trust to place someone you love in another person’s care. We earn that trust by listening, paying attention and keeping you close to their day.
We begin with a conversation and a chance to meet, learning about their personality, routines and needs. Every booking request is reviewed before we confirm the right person, group and timing. If another option would suit them better, we talk it through with you.
Our team is DBS checked and pet first aid trained. Check-in and check-out, tracked walks, photographs and feedback reports keep you close to their day, with time to talk through anything that matters to you.
For service details, areas and prices, explore the Services page.
Explore services →The heart of it all
Meet the family at the heart of Holty Paws & Hooves, and the much-loved dog whose needs inspired it all.
Gabby
Gabby’s love of dogs is at the heart of Holty Paws. She takes time to know their personalities, favourite adventures and the little things that help them feel safe and loved. The care she wanted for Harvey remains her guiding purpose.
Training and guidance are provided to help every member of the team deliver that same thoughtful, dependable standard of care. Her lifelong love of horses, shared with Maja and Bella, is a natural extension of that care.
Ian
Ian spent eight years as Gabby’s right hand, bringing his humour and love of dogs to the heart of Holty Paws. He welcomed new families, got to know their dogs, helped recruit and train the team, and found endless joy in the company of his four-legged friends.
He now works elsewhere, but still lends a hand with meet and greets and recruitment when he can. We suspect he misses his old colleagues rather more than he lets on, especially the ones with wagging tails and muddy paws.
Maja
Maja has been around horses since she was two, growing up riding, competing and learning through Pony Club. She holds City & Guilds Level 1 and 2 qualifications in Equine Studies and a Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Equine Management from Sparsholt College.
Bella, her much-loved Irish Sports Horse, is her pride and joy. With horses and dogs alike, Maja brings kindness, patience and a calm presence, caring for each as if they were her own.
Harvey
Harvey is our much-loved family dog and the reason Holty Paws began. Gabby wanted him to feel as safe, happy and understood away from home as he did with us. When she couldn’t find the right care, she created it.
Our Chief Exercise Officer is much respected by the other dogs, with a wonderful knack for keeping the peace. He loves to play, gently guiding his companions and reminding them of their manners. He reminds us why every dog deserves to feel known and loved.
Meet the people you can trust
Each member of our team brings care, patience and their own personality to the days we share with your four-legged friends.
Harriet
Happiest exploring on foot, Harriet loves discovering new routes and getting to know each dog’s character.
Caitlyn
Caitlyn brings a gentle connection and genuine enjoyment to the time she spends with the dogs.
Tanya
A lifelong lover of pets, Tanya brings warmth, good humour and a caring eye to her walks and visits.
Karina
Growing up around dogs and horses gave Karina a natural love of the outdoors and the personalities she meets along the way.
Madison
Madison loves giving dogs time and space to enjoy their walks, explore and have a wonderful day.
Rowan
Rowan has always felt at home around dogs and brings a calm, attentive energy to time spent together.
Tell us about them
Tell us what makes them happy, what helps them feel at home, and the care you are looking for. We would love to hear their story.