Pooch's Yard was founded by Kyle Bell, back in August of 2017, but this dream starts many years before... Kyle as a child never had dogs growing up and now with his wife 'Nadine' own 13 dogs but he was fortunate to see the power of dogs when he watched his Grandad Albert & Uncle Micheal working their Labradors as gamekeepers, Kyle was always mesmerised by how effectively the dogs work and the bond that was evident between them & their handler.
Kyle always knew from a young age that he would own dogs and that he wanted to work with dogs but his dreams were often shot down, usually told he wasn't 'smart enough' to be a vet or that there was 'no living to be made in dogs' BUT Kyle, being the rebel he always was as a youngster, didn't listen and would in no way accept that as a answer. After various jobs, mostly to pay bills and get by after leaving home at just 16, Kyle decided to try and join the British Army as a combat medic in the hope to one day apply to be a dog handler, but was medically discharged during basic training due to having arthritis in both his hip & knee. Worn down, Kyle took on other roles, never happy nor satisfied and with the burning desire inside to work with dogs Kyle trained as a canine behaviourist, trainer (There is a difference) & canine nutritionist, setting up a behaviour & rehabiltation business, Kyle noticed a trend amongst dog owners' behavioural problems. Most, if not all the issues were linked between little to no physical and mental stimulation in the dogs life and dogs being unable to socialise in the correct way and most of these dogs had very poor canine etiquette. Some would call this the 'lightbulb' moment, Kyle calls it 'gods plan', either way Kyle started searching for a concept that suited this need and 'BAM'... on a google search, Kyle found 'Mischief Doggy Day Care' a incredibly friendly, family owned day care based in Mildenhall, Suffolk. Kyle being Kyle, rang them and asked outright, how it works, what's on offer and that he was then considering setting up a 'day care' in Thetford, Norfolk. Without hesitation, without judgement and in full support, they gave Kyle the confidence, guidance and support he needed to 'take the plunge' and set up a doggy day care but with only £68.72p in the bank... was this a step too far?
Quite possibly, but with friends around, they helped Kyle set up this dream up, building fences, jumps, ramps and getting second hand sofas down to the unit (20/22 Telford Way, Thetford) that Kyle had secured after being made redundant from a closing business. With everything set up, license in place and ready for a bustling business... it just needed a name, Kyle stood with a friend, admiring what they had created and said how it looked like a "fun yard for dogs" with that... 'Pooch's Yard ' was born, now for the bustling part.... Okay, so getting known and having regular busy didn't really happen for 6 months... in fact, with everyone telling Kyle how he had just made "the biggest mistake of his life" and how "this idea was never going to work" Kyle started believing them, he even started job hunting... then well over a month later on 28th September 2017, Kyle received a message from Kerry & Joel, owners of Petal a gorgeous older girl border collie, they discussed their needs and Kyle secured his first ever booking, for 2nd October 2017, nearly 2 months after opening his doors. Petal arrived, only booked for a few hours but... quite possibly the MOST important booking of Kyle's life. Petal arrived, happy to play with Kyle's dogs Kerry (Labrador) & Chan (German Shepherd x Staffordshire Bull Terrier), she enjoyed exploring the day care, going up the hand built ramps, zooming around and receiving lots of fuss and love, she went home a happy customer and to Kyle's amazement, Kerry & Joel booked her in for a second booking. It took weeks before more customers come, still being told to 'close up shop' as the money wasn't coming in, Kyle now had a taste for the role, his dream showing a small glimmer of hope and a fire in his belly, he pushed on. From this moment, Kyle knew whatever it takes, this is going to work, from that moment it was never about the money and still to this day it isn't and it 'NEVER' will be. Slowly more customers arrived, Recommendations started coming in, the phone for the first time rang... a card machine salesman... Trying to sell Kyle a card machine for "all your transactions" a salesman said over the phone, little did he know, it would be a complete waste of time as 3 bookings a week didn't really scream "urgent" need for a card machine. The phone rang some more and using good old fashioned pen and paper, Kyle booked the requests in. Kyle still remembers all of these dogs to this day and claims, "I will never forget them, without dogs like petal and owners like Kerry & Joel, Pooch's Yard would never have become what it is today." Sadly on Monday 11th November 2019, Petal was put to sleep, Kyle posted on the social media accounts..."You were my first customer girl.... Thank you and now look at what we have here..." I used the term 'we' with her because I always felt and will always feel that without petal we wouldn't be the business we are today and she truly was a big part of Pooch's yard. The loss of petal doesn't just leave a hole within Joel and Kerry's lives but also ours and all of those that knew her and I know we will all take this time to think of them and send them support and love. It has also cemented that thought within our day care that petal and all our other customers do really mean alot to us. They are not and never will be 'just money symbols' or 'just a job' each and every dog that has stepped through our doors is truly a pack member of our day care family and their lives touch ours beyond belief and we are so grateful and cherished in being a part of their lives. Petal was luckily rehomed at a late age to by far the best family she could have ever dreamt of having and the love she received was only the best. I'll end this by sending our love to the Griffith's family at this time and our thoughts are with you both.The sky's have truly gained another star! Rest in Peace Petal."To this day, Kyle cannot talk about petal without getting a tear in his eye, 7 years on from her first visit. Like petal, every dog that walks through Pooch's Yards doors, really is joining a family, a place to be loved and thrive in every aspect. Finally... the dream was now a reality.
Just under 3 Years in and business was going well, Pooch's Yard was growing, it had received 2 awards for best day care in east anglia, Kyle felt nothing could get better, that was until the 29th May 2020, when he met Nadine for the first time, She had brought along her mischevous beagle 'Bertie' as she was recommend Pooch's Yard to help with his naughty ways. Nadine arrives in her, what Kyle describes as "silly little yellow car", out jumps 'Bertie' who has clambered over her side to be the first out the car, then steps out what Kyle described as "the most beautiful human he had ever seen" Nadine. Bertie eagerly pulls her to the front door. Kyle & Nadine then discuss Bertie's needs and what Nadine hoped for, from using Pooch's Yard, mean while... Bertie had his own idea... to cock his leg up Kyle and proceed to urinate all over his leg, nearly filling a boot, almost claiming Kyle as his own, well, it clearly worked out, Kyle & Nadine are now happily married with two little boys, 'Albert Septimus' & 'Wilfred Wilde' along with their 13 dogs, that's right, 13 dogs ( & Counting). Kyle & Nadine married on the 29th May 2022, exactly 2 years to the day after they met. Not your average love story on 'Netflix' but their own and is very apparent they wouldn't change a moment of.
It of course hasn't been without its struggles, running a business, working alongside your wife/husband and being parents to 2 boys and 13 dogs has had its moments, but they certainly wouldn't change it for the world. Nadine stepped into the business bringing her expertise of child care over to the canine variety of care, hence why Pooch's Yard offers so much more than a day care. Whilst both Kyle & Nadine love their dogs, it is down to Nadine that Pooch's Yard offers all of the extras, the small details and forever lasting memories, from the paw prints, themed event weeks, photoshoots, craft ideas and so on, Nadine wanted to help create items we can all cherish and enjoy whilst our Poochs are with us, as we all know, dogs aren't with us forever and most certainly not long enough and Nadine wanted everyone to not only have great photos of their dogs to remember them by but all these fun items you go home with when you are a part of the Pooch's family.
Fast forward a few years and over a meal at The Crown in Great Ellingham, (Highly recommended by them both) they had found their new unit at 1 Telford Way, Thetford. Perfect and meant to be they take the opportunity and that is what we all see today. A business, despite its rough start and un-supported beginnings, offering what is now rated (2024) as the 'most voted for doggy day care' in the entire UK. But as Kyle often tells people, "when no-one believes in you, believe in yourself" true passion will always shine through.
A Message from Kyle & Nadine:"Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts,without you all Pooch's Yard wouldn't be what it is today. The family of Pooch's Yard is incredible, from the dogs that attend and the owners that bring them, each and everyone of you mean the world to us, we never forget a dog that's walked through the doors, wether it be once or a thousand times. So, Thank you for being apart of this journey, for us, this isn't a job, it's a passion & honour to care for your dogs. If we're honest as much as we love our family at home and seeing friends, Mondays can't come quick enough. Pooch's Yard is our second home and our extended family. Thank you for everything 'we' have all created..."
We aren't just dog lovers, this is our passion and our knowledgable team have expertise in many fields to ensure every dog in our care is safe, happy and thriving!
We understand how important your pooch is to you and that's why we offer a second home for your dog, we are the day care family you can TRUST.
Safety and cleanliness are non-negotiable at Pooch's Yard.
Our facilities are deep-cleaned daily, including our garden area, toys and bedding are regularly sanitised.
That's right, we PROMISE to give your dog everything it needs to have a brilliant day, from physical and mental enrichment to affection and 'Breed Specific Focus'
