Poppy Leys

I have a passion for dog grooming.

Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne

About Poppy Leys:

I am a 20-year-old who has recently completed a foundation degree at Newcastle University and would like to begin a career in dog grooming. I have a passion for spending time around animals in my personal and work life. I am a high-energy individual who is exceptionally loving towards all animals I spend time with. My hobbies include dog walking with my family and three dogs, baking, crocheting, going to the gym, and spending time with friends.

Experience

Most recently I have finished the FdSc Applied Animal Management Foundation Degree at Kirkley Hall, Northumberland College, part of Newcastle University, and am set to graduate in October 2022. This course allowed me to start my journey into animal-based careers helping me realise a career with dogs is where my passion lies.

I completed modules such as Animal Health Management and Nutrition which taught me how to observe signs of a healthy dog in their physical health and behaviours.

Being at university helped me develop my time management as I had multiple assignments due at similar times as well as helping with my social skills as I was making new friends and constantly talking to and meeting new people which I found very exciting.

As part of my university course, I had to complete 195 hours of industrial experience which I chose to carry out at a dog daycare called The Pawpack. My main roles in the daycare were to ensure the dogs were in a safe environment where they could play with each other and the workers, that they had enough water at all times and that they had access to the outside area.

I often helped on walks with the dogs as The Pawpack also provides a dog walking service, during the walks my job was to ensure the dogs were safe and they were well-controlled whether they were on or off the lead.

While at The Pawpack I gained some dog grooming experience as the business provides grooming, I was instructed to wash and dry the dogs. I found that I really enjoyed washing the dogs as I believed it gave me a deeper relationship with them as they were sometimes nervous, this helped me make sure they felt safe with me washing them as I was making a large effort to ensure they felt at ease with praise and treats. It has given me experience with dogs of many temperaments including over-excitable dogs, anxious dogs, and reactive dogs. I believe this is useful for this position as I will be working with dogs that have all different temperaments meaning I can know what to expect, for example with a reactive dog I know how to behave around them to help them feel at ease.

It has helped me to work as part of a team which I really enjoyed as I felt a part of the company family which made me want to work efficiently and more often.

Education

Higher Education

Foundation Degree in Applied Animal Management - Northumberland College, Newcastle University

Dates attended from September 2020 to June 2022

Grade - Pass

A Levels

BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Children’s Play, Learning and Development – St Marys Catholic School, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Dates attended from September 2018 to June 2020

Grade – Distinction*

BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Health and Social Care - St Marys Catholic School, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Dates attended from September 2018 to June 2020

Grade – Distinction

A Level in Religious Studies – St Marys Catholic School, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Dates attended from September 2018 to June 2020

Grade – B

GCSEs

GCSE Combined Science (Dual Award) – St Marys Catholic School, Newcastle upon Tyne