A Staffordshire business which helped pioneer the UK’s wedding dog chaperone industry has launched a new training course aimed at raising standards across the sector.
Precious Pets Weddings, based in Weston Coyney, has unveiled a CPD-accredited Wedding Dog Chaperone Course designed for dog groomers, walkers and other pet professionals looking to move into the growing wedding market.
The business, run by Emma and Ade Cartlich, was among the first in the UK to offer a professional wedding dog chaperone service when it launched in 2018. Since then, the company has appeared on programmes including The One Show, This Morning and Dragons’ Den.
Emma said the couple decided to launch the online course after seeing increasing numbers of people entering the industry without the right experience or understanding of dog welfare.
She said: “As this industry has grown, we’ve seen a worrying trend – people turning up to weddings with little experience, no insurance and no understanding of dog welfare.
“This puts dogs, couples, venues and suppliers at risk, and damages the reputation of a service that should be trusted and professional.
“People are going to be setting themselves up in business anyway but if they have been properly trained and had guidance from one of the first and leading businesses in that field in the UK then it will be better for everyone.”
The course focuses on dog welfare, safety and professional standards, teaching delegates how to work legally and responsibly while handling pets at weddings. It also includes a complimentary one-to-one ‘power hour’ with Emma for each participant.
The first intake attracted delegates from the UK and the United States, with Emma saying the response has exceeded expectations.
She said: “I’ve had more than 90 expressions of interest for the course and an e-learning option from the UK, Australia, USA and Canada too.”
The launch comes as demand continues to grow for couples wanting their dogs to play a part in their wedding day, with services ranging from transporting pets to venues to helping them appear in ceremonies and photographs.
The course costs £649, with dates available in July and September and November bookings due to open soon. Precious Pets said participants on the first course in April recouped their investment ‘within two to three weddings’.
