Hello, I'm Nicola
I must have been the most annoying child as I was constantly bringing home different animals. Wild and domestic, injured and rescued, bought and procured foundlings! I was also always asking for a dog. Finally my mum finally relented (I was 7 yeas old by then) my little world was complete and my obsession with animals grew.
At 13 I got a job at a kennels and cycled the 5 miles there and back at every single opportunity I got to work as much as I could and as learn as much as I could about cats, dogs and horses.
School and then college was a total inconvenience to me and how I managed to pass all my exams remains a mystery!
I also worked at a couple of local vets (pestering one particularly lovely old vet) to show me everything and take me everywhere so I could learn everything!
Finally I decided I wanted my own boarding kennels and so had to join the real world where I could get enough money together to one day realise my dream.
At 35 I started looking for my own place and I moved into Longmeadow Pet Hotel after viewing 23 different kennels up and down the country over a 3 year period.
I can honestly say I love my job. I love the dogs like they are my own and I even tolerate the owners as I can see they all love their pets and always want the best for them (my kind of people).
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Accomplishments:
Dog and cat wellbeing:
The Ingraham Academy Canine gateway workshop – Zoopharmacognosy
Canine Nutrition Diploma
Various raw feeding seminars
Canine first aid
Advanced canine first aid including CPR
Introduction to canine massage
Introduction to homeopathy
First degree in USUI system reiki
Emmett4Dogs short course
Natural dog conference seminars and lectures
Dog grooming:
Trained at Scruffy Pups, Darlington
Miniature schnauzer workshop
Asian fusion demonstration
Northern groomers event
Dog showing:
Eric Salas all breed handling masterclass
James Newton handling masterclass
Points of the dog kennel club certificate
Confirmation and movement kennel club certificates
Requirements of a dog show judge kennel club certificate
Ring stewards kennel club certificate
Stewarding at various dog shows
Lectures and hands on breed seminars on:
The Irish Wolfhound
The Whippet
The Ibizan Hound
The Azawakh
The Afghan Hound
The Great Dane
The Norwegian Elkhound
The Black & Tan Coonhound
The Beagle
The Basenji
The Rough Collie
The Shih Tzu
Our Staff
Teagen Emmerson
From a young age, animals have played a big part in my life. From owning my own doggies and cats to snakes and horses. My interest in animals has inspired me to do the work I do today. I joined the Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd team in 2019 as work experience alongside my Level 3 extended diploma in animal management, behaviour and welfare. Animal health and wellbeing is at the centre of my work and everything I do stems from this ethos. Since passing my exams and getting to know all the wonderful dogs and cats that have visited, I have decided that leaving simply wasn’t an option, so here I am!
The animals I get to meet and work with help to widen my knowledge and understanding and I learn every day whilst making great memories and creating a bond between so many amazing animals. It is honestly one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. I hope to see your lovely selves soon!
Nicola Standeven
Animals truly are the best things on this earth. I love dogs as they are smart and I enjoy learning about all of the different breeds (some of which I had never heard of before I came to work here!) I joined the Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd team in April 2022 having grown up around different types of animals and have always wanted to look after them and ensure their wellbeing to the best of my ability. Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd is great to work at as you meet some very interesting characters and as the dogs come back on repeat visits you get to know them as nearly well as the owners do which is very rewarding. Especially as the dogs burst with excitement on seeing you again and run in to the kennels without giving their owners a backward glance! Having had my own Labradors in my life I honestly believe that a dog really can be a persons best friend. I have met so many of your lovely pets during my time here and I look forward to meeting and making friends with many many more.
Cadey Sarson
I have always loved animals and have had them around me all my life whether that be dogs, guinea pigs or cats. Most of the time I prefer their company over people’s. I’ve always had a love for animals so getting to work at Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd has been the best opportunity and an absolute dream. I applied in October 2024 at 17 years old and started in November 2024, and I have absolutely loved getting to know all of the dogs, meeting the regulars and getting to know them while hearing so much about them from the staff and meeting the newcomers who I cannot wait to get to know also. My knowledge is constantly widening about how to take care of your dogs and how to make sure that they have the best time possible and as I learn about every dog’s personality it makes me love them even more and helps me to understand what they need to have fun while staying with us. To get to work with the dogs at Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd and learn more about them is honestly the best feeling you can get and I enjoy every second of it. I can’t wait to meet the dogs who I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, I am sure that I will love every single one of them.
Jess Bisset
From being young animals have always been involved in my life from having cats who have had kittens, and watching them grow up is such a magnificent thing. Dogs have always been around me whether it’s walking around the street and meeting new little fur babies or from my friends and family. I knew that Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd was the place I wanted to work since I turned 16 and applied here in June 2022, which was the best decision I have made. The team I work with helped me develop the skills I have now and showed me everything I know to ensure the dogs are at their happiest. Working at Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd gives so many new experiences and thrills of seeing how dogs’ characters develop infront of me and how different each one is. I have learnt so many new things from spending time to make sure they are having the best time whilst with us and speaking to customers who are patient with helping you understand more about their little family members. It is a very rewarding feeling you get from working here, interacting with different dogs and getting to know them all individually. In the time I have worked here, I’ve met so many dogs and made friends with all of them, I can’t wait to keep seeing more of your amazing dogs and making so many more little buddies.
Harrison Simmonite
From a young age I have always been around animals, from dogs to hamsters and guinea pigs. As soon as I turned 16 I knew that I wanted to work with animals, Longmeadow Pet Hotel has provided be this opportunity. I knew Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd had a great team and was a great establishment to work with, especially having used the Pet Hotel for my own dog utilising the kennels here. So I applied for the role and got the job on the 6th of July 2023, and here I am.
I have developed my knowledge so much working alongside the team and have learnt a lot of different skills to train the dogs during their stay. Working with so many different breeds of dogs and with so many different characteristics and personalities is the best, its like a dream come true working here. I have enjoyed every minute and I always give my best to make sure the dogs are at there happiest, no matter what and when the dogs have finished there holiday with is, I try my best to make sure that the customers are satisfied that there dogs have had a great time.
I love working at Longmeadow Pet Hotel Ltd.
