After a tragic dog attack which saw the lives of dozens of sheep lost a few years ago, Emma Anthony decided it was time to bring her idea of a freedom field for dogs to roam in safely to life. Being a family who have seven dogs of their own and have farmed for generations, the Anthonys were keen to get the ball rolling as soon as they could and make it happen.
It took two years to get full permission to set the business, "Dogz Unleashed" up on their family farm in Tondu, just across the road from Parc Slip. But they said the wait had been worth it now they had a flurry of satisfied customers who had been able to use the space, and were already looking to expand into another field on their farm to keep up with the demand.
The idea is that people can let their dogs off lead in an enclosed field without having to worry about their pet's reaction to other people, animals, or them not coming back. It also gives them an area to train their dogs and get them familiar with recall, as well as being an ideal place for an owner of more than one excited pooch, so they don't have to worry about where they have all gone if they are off lead at the same time. You can get more Bridgend news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Customers can book out a slot online so they have complete use of the field during that period. They are given a code so they don't have to be let in by anyone and can go through the gate and let themselves into the field independently.
Whoever is using the field can also use it as a training space, and there's all sorts to do in the fenced area so it is practically a playground for people's four-legged friends. There are jumps, tyres for them to sit or play on, a picnic bench for humans to relax at and perhaps enjoy a bite to eat, a shelter to get some shade - or hide from the rain- and there are also first aid kits hung up at the ready.
There is even an Instagram frame for dogs (or owners) to pose for if they wish to do so. I headed out to see what it was like, and what made this new facility in Bridgend feel safer than walking your dog in an ordinary park.
The key thing about the freedom field that means owners can fully relax is the high fencing surrounding the space. The wiring is also small enough so if you have a little dog, it would still be almost impossible for them to escape.
Initially I had wondered whether the area would feel a bit clinical or so enclosed that it would surely just be a nicer experience to take your dog for a walk on the lead in a local park. But the field actually felt huge.
It's also surrounded by some stunning views, meaning that while your dog is off having fun, it's a pretty enjoyable experience for the owner. Emma Anthony was there to greet me when I arrived and had a huge smile on her face as she walked around the space explaining the ideas behind each feature.
She pointed out the muddy paw zone, where dogs could get their paws clean before they headed home after their session in the field, as well as safety features which the family had installed for extra piece of mind. "One of my favourite things is the air lock system we've got for the gates", Emma explained. If you have trouble catching any dogs in the field you can put them in a secure pen which also works as an entrance, then you can go and get the other dogs from the field knowing that the ones you have caught are safe and secure and will be easily caught then when they need to take them back to their cars."
Discussing how people had used the new facility in Bridgend, Emma noted: "The freedom field gives people the option for it to be whatever they want it to be, some people will come and they will bring a picnic and throw toys for the dogs. Other people will come and then want the dogs going over the jumps and tyre hoops.
"We also have people that come to us that have medical issues themselves, so they can't walk very far and sometimes their dogs don't get the freedom or exercise which they would like to be able to give them. So this gives them the chance to watch their dogs have such a wonderful time."
Emma's husband Peter and son Jacob were keen to get the ball rolling when they heard about her ideas. "It was pretty devastating when we had some sheep attacked by a dog once, and it goes to show the need for spaces like this to get dogs trained on recall as well as giving owners peace of mind", Jacob said.
Emma also knows first hand what it is like to have a nervous dog, and wanted to do be able to do something for people in Bridgend to make their own lives easier. She added: "We've got a dog called Joseph who's absolutely amazing but has a huge issue with strangers. He's a Welsh sheepdog and he's very guardy. It's an issue for us to be able to have Joe out in a public space with strangers around.
"But also because about three Christmases ago we had such a sad incident where our sheep were killed in a dog attack. Often I'd say to the boys when I'd be out on our fields that we're so lucky to have these fields and I'd love for other people to be able to have this opportunity, so I thought there was a need in this area for our facility which offers people and dogs freedom, opportunities and a stress-free environment."
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