‘Working with dogs can build people’s confidence’
Joe Swiffen, 46, owns Mynydd Sleddog Adventures, in Conwy, Wales, where she lives with her husband Mark, 50, and their eight-year-old son.
I started my adventure tourism business, offering husky rides and sled-dog experiences, in 2020. I’ve always been fascinated by wolves, both their look and natural behaviour.
I got my first Siberian husky called Taskan in 2001; they’re a working dog and walkies isn’t enough. I worked with a youth-offending team at the time and took Taskan with me in the evening. Looking for young, sometimes homeless, people to engage with on the streets was hard when I was on my own. ‘The dog makes it easier. It’s a good talking point,’ I told my colleagues.
Now I own 20, including Siberian…