Britain is a nation of animal lovers. The success of Karen Standen's hydrotherapy business for four-legged friends stands testament to this.

After a period of unemployment due to redundancy, Karen, from Portsmouth, faced discrimination because employers saw her dyslexia as a reason not to give her a job. Depression began to take hold. At the same time Karen's dog Chum was suffering from ligament damage and things seemed to be going from bad to worse. In just one year, however, Karen has turned a bleak situation around.

Karen's vet recommended hydrotherapy for Chum, which was very successful. Her experiences and some further research showed there were long waiting lists for such services in her area and a business idea began to develop. With help from Ready to Start, Karen was able to buy a wetsuit, get a computer and go on training courses including Animals First and Hydrotherapy for Dogs.

One of the animals Karen has helped is Amber, a 12 year old cocker spaniel. Her owner, Jeff Sparrow, who has muscular dystrophy, uses a wheelchair and Amber is his constant companion. After an accident, vets thought Amber might not be able to walk again, but through therapy with Karen she has managed it, giving Amber and Jeff a new lease of life. "The satisfaction I get from helping animals and their owners enjoy life again makes it very easy to get out of bed in the morning. You've got to follow your passion and not give up".