A former legal professional has told how she swapped her stressful office job for a career scooping up dog mess — and now earns four times her previous salary. Emma Garner, 45, launched The Dog Poo Professionals in 2014 while still working as a claims assessor, before going full-time two years later after being made redundant.
Ms Garner, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, now charges from £14 a week for one dog and £4 for each additional pet. Her business serves hundreds of clients across West and South Yorkshire, and she says her income has reached the high five figures — a dramatic increase from the £20,000 she earned at the law firm.
The animal enthusiast has used the money to buy a £195,000 four-bed semi-detached home and describes the role as 'the best thing I have ever decided to do'. She added: 'Picking up poo has changed my life. It has given me a great work-life balance and no stress.'
Ms Garner first got the idea after reading about a similar business in America. She placed a Facebook advert and secured her first customer within ten minutes. Although her first job involved a heavily soiled garden, she quickly got used to the work. She now works a third of her previous hours while earning four times as much.
She is keen to challenge assumptions that her clients are lazy, noting that many have personal circumstances such as disabilities, illness, or demanding professions. Ms Garner also offers pet nail trimming and is looking to hire a new team member so she can semi-retire.
