Our Team
Helen Brown Bsc Hons (Owner)
Hi I’m Helen, owner of Happi Days. I have an hons degree in Business Management, level 3 NVQ in horse care and level 3 Certificate in Canine Hydrothotherapy.
Since our Rendlesham crèche (the first in Suffolk) was opened, our canine family has expanded and now includes our boxer called Rosa, our springer spaniel called Daisy, an elderly collie called Lara and 4 boston terriers called Flo, Bon Bon, Humbug and Nona. They all love spending their days with their chums at Happi Days. You will often see them in the Happi Days playgrounds in our facebook pictures each day with your dogs.
We also have our two wonderful children Jessica and Joshua who are absolute doggie fanatics.
I am usually found in the background of the creche, with the dogs rather than always on reception, but I am always just a call away for any queries or problems. I always think: why have an amazing dog care business and not spend your time caring for them and being part of the team. Having had happi days since 2008 and having been a carer for others pets and starting as a dog walker at the age of ten, I can sincerely say I have a wealth of experience I love to share with the the Happi team. I am a keen reader and my love of dogs is one of my favorite topics to read about increasing my behavioral and training knowledge.
I am a keen guinea-pig and rabbit enthusiast and having a nice big lawn we do have an abundance of smaller pets to care for also, at Elm cottage, but don’t worry they are safely in another garden to where your dogs come to stay on holiday!
My Husband Chris (Owner)
Chris acts as handyman and general help whenever we need it, especially with the IT, often roping in his Dad (Martin) to help build and fix things. Although also having a job of his own, I think he makes any excuse to come and play with the dogs!
After being around me and my dogs for 15 years when he got her, Chris was finally smitten by a little springer spaniel Daisy from the Loddon dog rescue centre who is now part of our pack at home.
Emma (Senior Manager)
Owner of Kenny, Callie, Delilah, Jack and Willow, Emma has a life time of experience with rescue dogs. Having such an array of dogs to care for, with problems such as epilepsy, she has endless advice for any owner! With a number of canine qualifications Emma has a wealth of knowledge that makes her a fantastic senior manager.
Emma oversees the business from all angles HR, admin, bookings and holidays. You are likely to see Emma in the small Creche area where you drop off in the mornings. Please feel free to ask any questions revolving around your dogs care, Emma will always make time to help out with advice and solving any issues.
Along with her rescue dogs Emma also has cats that are very fond of her sight hounds, which reflects the calm friendly nature of he pack. The dogs also can be seen in the Facebook photos everyday as they spend their time with your dogs also. We feel staff bringing their dogs to work is an important part of our ethos as we only employ doggie fanatics so like it to be viable for them to work whilst their dogs are having fun.
Alex (Manager)
Alex starts his day at Martlesham, brings the adventure days dogs to the woods for their play session and then takes them over to the Rendlesham creche for a day of play, returning them in the evening. He therefore knows both Rendlesham and Martlesham creche dogs very well.
He also has his own lovely dogs, Tilly, a red merle Collie, Poppy, a fox red Labrador, Evie the great dane and Margot, a blue Whippet. He has loads of experience working with dogs of all sizes and temperaments and is often out and about around Martlesham as walking his dogs is his favorite hobby.
Karen (Rendlesham Manager)
Karen is the manager of Rendlesham Creche. After a successful implementation of our software system, Pet Manager, Karen took over the management of Rendlesham. .
Karen brings along with her everyday her two terriers Cadbury and Peso. Cadbury being one of our older clients at Happi days is a prime example of how the elderly dogs can settle and fit in well at the creche. Karen’s office is always the place to be for those dogs in their older years! Cadbury and Peso welcome their quieter chums for a rest period when the youngsters are still playing.
Ellie (Martlesham Manager)
Ellie joined Happi Days in 2018, quickly working her way to a Senior member of staff. She’s now managing Martlesham creche whilst Nikki is on maternity leave. She is often the person behind the wonderful photos you see on Facebook each day, Ellie has an eye for the perfect camera shot, so you can thank her for capturing your dogs moments with us.
Nikki (Maternity Leave)
Nikki is currently on maternity leave, looking after a human instead of the usual dogs!
Nikki is Martlesham’s manager! She used to work for the RSPCA on the weekends and has past experiences of creches whilst studying for her Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management. Nikki has also volunteered abroad in Bulgaria at a rescue center which is where she fell in love with her 3 legged German Shepherd Jacob, who now spends his days in sunny Suffolk with her Golden Retriever Koda.
You will usually find Nikki in reception, welcoming everyone in the mornings and sending them out to play. Nikki spends her time with the small dogs in our small creche area, giving out lots of cuddles and helping puppies make new friends.
Tash (Doggie Hotel Supervisor)
Tash lives with her mischievous little Staffie, Lexi, and started at Happi Days as part of her college work experience. Since then she has become an irreplaceable member of staff. Tash manages the boarders at the Hotel and can often be found on Woodland Walks or with the dogs at Rendlesham.
Josh B (Senior)
Josh came to us over 10 years ago when he was completing his animal care qualifications with Otley College, he was so natural with the dogs we offered him a job once he had left the college. He has grown in experience and knowledge working for us full time for 10 years now and is the senior playground supervisor, knowing every Rendlesham visitor like the back of his hand.
He owns a great dane called Kevin and a cat called Martin, so Josh knows what it is like to live with the large breeds. A very popular member of staff with the dogs as he is never far away with a toy and loves joining in with climbing on the castle with all his canine pals.
Abigail
Abigail joined Happi Days a few years ago. She is enjoying being with the dogs, keeping the place clean, tidy, entertaining and observing all activities. Abigail is mostly found in the playful side of our Martlesham creche but she is very versatile, knowledgeable and flexible as to helping with all jobs, a good all rounder.
Hanna (Bookings)
Hanna has come to us from working on reception in a veterinary chain. Being clued up with vaccines, dog health along side booking systems and calendars etc, we thought taking Hanna on was an ideal opportunity for Happi days. Further more Hanna has a background in trick training with her French Bulldogs Maisie & Lily, showing to us an array of things they can do for rewards.
Hanna is the friendly person who’s at the end of the line usually when you call our booking line.
Zoe (Reception)
Zoe is an energetic, friendly animal lover that has come to us to join both our reception team and our dog care team. Zoe is a versatile all rounder who can be found in many areas of the creche from playing with and photographing the dogs, to cleaning, feeding and also reception. Zoe has both experience in the retail industry and in boarding kennels so has good knowledge of health and welfare of those in our care. Zoe loves all animals and has a Lab cross called Cooper and a snake.
Melissa
Melissa started as a Work Experience when doing her Animal Management course. She’s now a member of the Rendlesham staff team! She has two dogs called Holly the lab and Billy the Westie and is keen on dogs both big and small. Melisa also has an interest in the smaller pets and therefore has a hamster and three gerbils.
Louise (Senior)
Louise is our senior dog supervisor at Martlesham, she is very much used to the hustle and bustle of daycare as she owns 7 Spaniels and a German Spitz at home! Louise has an abundance of experience doing agility and obedience with her own dogs, she has even competed at Crufts. With over 7 years experience with our Martlesham creche, Louise has always been there at 7am to greet each and every dog who comes out to the paddock to play with a Happi face and a friend to play with. She watches everyone’s early morning zoomies and playtime and captures photos with her amazing camera skills.
Danica
Danica joined Happi over 5 years ago, starting at the Hotel, looking after the holiday doggies, and moving to work full time at the Rendlesham centre. She became full time after enjoying her days here so much and can be found creating fun times for the dogs with theme events and parties being her favorite pastime. She has an array of pets she cares for herself including 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 tortoises and a bird!
Harry C (Senior)
Harry C first started at Happi days as work experience over 10 years ago and loved working with dogs so much he couldn’t resit staying. Harry was training at Otley in animal management and doing his work experience hours here, we soon learnt he is a natural with the dogs. Harry has a whippet whoia very much part of the family. Harry is one of the playground supervisors at our larger Rendlesham creche and is never far away with a tennis ball or toy.
Harry S
Harry has come to us having been doing an animal management course at Otley college. Harry has fitted in really well as his family have five dogs and so being at Happi days is a home from home for him. Harry is a kind and considerate member of staff who reads and understands the dogs emotions and is very sensitive to their needs.
Ava
Ava came to Happi Days as Work Experience for her Animal Care course and stayed on afterwards. Ava has experience working in other animal care settings and in customer facing roles and is therefore a very well rounded flexible member of staff. Ava both loves the big dogs and little dogs and will happily entertain and maintain control in all levels of energy groups.
Kara (Martlesham Assistant Manager)
Kara is an all rounder who can be found anywhere from the doggie hotel, to reception, small calm dogs to the busy bouncier bunch. Kara has extensive experience with dogs. She has worked at two different creches and we head hunted her for a position to cover maternity leave so was needed to be fully trained and fit in straight away. Kara has not only increased and improved her dog care knowledge with us, she has taken on a strong lead with the data entry and customer relations side of our new database and booking system we are currently rolling out. Kara owns four dogs called Teddy, Pippa, Bluebelle and Nova.
Amber
Amber passed her Apprenticeship and is now a fully fledged member of the Happi Days team. Amber came to us to learn more about dog care as she has a background in care, particularly in child and elderly care. She is a keen dog lover owning 3 of her own, Ralph, Hugo and Bailey.
Josh W
Josh is a friendly outgoing member of staff who joined us on a college course. He loves animal care, and is eager and willing to learn more. Josh has been with us for a few years now and has been a great assistant helping with the fun little visitors, being the best cuddle supervisor.
Kat (Reception Supervisor and Grooming)
Kat was regularly volunteering enjoying the company of dogs coming from a background of being a dog walker. She chose to volunteer to help her establish what she would like to do in life and decided this was definitely it and so we took her on full time. Kat has fitted in really well with her passion for dogs and kind caring nature. Kat looks after Teddy the Yorkshire Terrier, a cat, chinchillas and a hamster who also keep her busy out of hours.
Caron (Accounts)
Caron originally came to Happi Days as a customer, socialising her German shepherd Tess, and her Hovawarts, (yes that is a breed I didn’t make it up!!!) Tiggie and Truffle. As she had so much fun at Happi Days and couldn’t bring herself to go home, she became our accountant and full time dog cuddle organiser and playmate.
Freya
Freya came to us as a volunteer before she even started college as she loved dogs so much she wanted to be with them all the time. She has proved herself so good that we had to keep her. She has two dogs, one 14 year old terrier and a 1 year old cockerpoo and so has lots of experience with all age ranges. When she is not at work she is often found out on different walking routes with her dogs. Freya is also a rabbit fan and owns three. She has completed a level two in practical animal care skills.
Kate (Rendlesham Reception)
Kate has returned to us after having children as she used to work for Happi days right when we were very first setting up 14 years ago. She has an HND in Animal care and owns her own Lurcher called Penny. Kate is mainly involved in the reception side of Creche with meeting and greeting your pampered pets as they arrive. She often can be found with the oldies and small group and may well be the one you talk to if you call the Rendlesham centre.
Jay
Jay wanted to work at Happi days because he has always wanted a job that is related to animals and his favorite being dogs. He has a Labrador called Maisie who is 6 years old.
Jay completed his Animal Care course and moved from Work Experience to full time with us. Jay is a natural with all the dogs and has proved himself a very keen motivated member of staff.
Sophie (Martlesham Groomer)
Sophie is one of our experienced groomers, covering all aspects of grooming from particular breed clips and nails to hand stripping and teeth. She has impressed us with her professional and caring grooming style, having been trained in a local doggie salon. She has taken on the lead role at Martlesham and is often helped out by the other carers in the grooming room. Sophie is a great leader and role model for kind fair handling. The dogs enjoy their pamper sessions in the calm, relaxed environment she creates every day. Sophie has a French Bulldog, Hank, a cat and rabbits at home and is often coming to work with comical stories of their escapades.
Doggie Temperament Assessors!
We are proud to introduce new dogs to these pups before they are introduced to the busy excitable crèche dogs. This helps create a calm, quiet first experience here at Happi Days. These doggies are all used to being at the crèche each day, and meeting new dogs is all part of a normal day and, therefore, have a very laid back attitude towards new dogs. This is the best way for all newbies to be slowly introduced to this new home from home environment. We do this not only for safety of the existing dogs at the crèche, but also so that all new dogs get a positive experience the first few times they come. We are proud of our high intake and low refusal rate at Happi Days. This is achieved by appropriate introduction, slow exposure and gradually getting your dogs used to this new different experience.
Ruby
Ruby first came to Happi Days as work experience when she was doing a Level 3 Animal Management course. Now Ruby works at the Rendlesham creche with all the dogs she loves so much, and continues to gain valuable experience all the time. She’s also worked with young adults, as a cleaner, and as a volunteer with lots of different animals!
Ruby has two dogs. Wren the Chihuahua x Jack Russell mix, and Mable the Chihuahua x Yorkshire Terrier Mix which keep her active and busy. As an animal lover, she also has two cats, Beans and Socksy and a flock of chickens!
Sarah
Sarah has always loved animals and working with them. She comes to Happi Days from another dog creche, and brings plenty of experience with breeds of all different shapes and sizes!
Sarah is a proud dog mum to 3 Miniature Dachshunds – Ruby, Ivy & Olive who are her world and keep her very busy! Sarah’s love of animals drives her dedication to create nurturing, engaging and fun environments for all the dogs she cares for. This love of dogs led to Sarah starting a custom pet portraits business too, so she can channel her love of dogs and her artistic expression!
You’ll find Sarah at both creches, out in the paddocks and helping on reception!
