THE co-owner of a dog walking business in Basingstoke is 'very excited' to be named a finalist in a set of industry awards.

Fetch Dog Services, owned by Amber Stratton and her business partner Colby Craig, has made it to the finals of the Animal Star Awards 2024 for 'Dog Walker of the Year'.

The 20-year-old, who attended Cranbourne School, started the business in December 2021, after being made redundant from a dog grooming apprenticeship.

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Basingstoke Gazette: Amber Stratton with her business partner, Colby

Amber said she has a 'love for dogs' and felt it 'was the right pathway for success'.

She added: "I had so many dreams that I wanted to fulfil and felt ready to take a step of the unknown - I had nothing to lose and knew that I would give it my best."

The Basingstoke resident explained that she always had dogs growing up and previously helped out at a doggy daycare.

"I'm excited to have been noticed. I put all my efforts into making the business a success and for my customers to recognise this by selecting me, I feel so proud. I wake up every day feeling happy so to get an award for a job I love is the icing on the cake for me," Amber continued.

Fetch Dog Services offers dog wedding chaperones and doggy adventure days, in addition to dog walking for people in and around the Basingstoke area.

The Animal Star Awards, which are held annually, were created in 2016 to 'give recognition to animals and humans alike for the extraordinary things they do for one another'. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 26.