From Personal Struggle to Life-Changing Business
A Staffordshire man is transforming the lives of disabled people by helping them train their own assistance dogs, drawing from his own experience with a spinal condition. Scott Allen, founder of Scamp's School of Dog Training based in Cannock, has turned his personal challenges into a mission to support others.
Scott suffers from nerve damage in his spine and understands firsthand the profound difference an assistance dog can make. He personally trained his own dog, May, when she was just 18 months old, and now at three years old, she provides crucial help with daily tasks.
How May Makes a Difference
"May is an absolute lifesaver for me," Scott revealed. The clever canine assists with practical challenges such as picking up dropped items and fetching his phone when he requires medical assistance. When her working uniform comes off, she transforms into a playful pup who loves nothing more than a energetic game of fetch.
Scott's professional background as a dog trainer and behaviourist, working across the region for years, provided the foundation for his current success. However, increasing demand meant he was spending excessive time travelling, while his home had become a permanent office, making work-life balance difficult.
Business Growth Fuels Charitable Expansion
The turning point came when Scott decided to relocate his business to the Cannock Chase Enterprise Centre, which is managed by Staffordshire County Council. This move proved transformative for his operations.
"A unit at the enterprise centre was the obvious choice," Scott explained. "No ridiculously long-term leases to get tied into, friendly and helpful management staff, modern well-kept units and being situated right on the edge of Cannock Chase made it a no-brainer. We moved in and never looked back."
The strategic relocation led to record-breaking profits, allowing Scott to expand his charitable initiative, Access Disability Services. This life-changing charity provides subsidised assistance dog training to help disabled people live more independently by qualifying their dogs for full public access.
"Not having to travel so much meant my time was more effectively spent and so productivity increased, profits went up and I had more free time," Scott noted. "My lounge once again became a space to relax and unwind after a busy day."
Community Impact and Future Plans
The success story has captured local attention, with Martin Murray, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at Staffordshire County Council, praising Scott's achievement. "Scott's story is a brilliant example of how our enterprise centres help local entrepreneurs not only build successful businesses but also make a real social impact," Murray stated.
Demand for Scott's services has grown so significantly that he's now preparing to move into a larger unit within the centre to accommodate his expanding team and training activities. This growth directly benefits his charity work, enabling more disabled people to access life-changing assistance dog training.
Scott emphasised the profound satisfaction he derives from his work: "That is just the best part of the business. When you see people who've got the confidence go out because they know, if something goes wrong, their dog will negate their disability, it makes it all worthwhile."
His journey demonstrates how combining business acumen with social purpose can create meaningful change in the community while building a sustainable enterprise.
