The Team
SARAH MOUNTFORD
Proprietor Old Rectory
DAVID MOUNTFORD
Veterinary surgeon
HARRIET PARISH
IC The Office
ANDREW HUFFEE
Driver
SHARON DINGLE
Proprietor Bowers Farm
MONICA HERBERT
Proprietor The Gables
JUDITH CURTIS
Proprietor Main Barn
DENISE MOUNTFORD
Proprietor Valley Farm
OLIVIA TURNER
Animal behaviourist
NAOMI NUNN
Dog Groomer
SONIA SMITH
Assistant Groomer
LOTTIE MOUNTFORD
Assistant
LUCY COULTROP
Dog Care & Behaviouralist
SAM BOWKER-LAING
Office Manager & Accounts
ABBI FLUX
Proprietor House of Mutt Spot Farm
HOWARD CROOK
Driver
LUCY PERRY
Artist
MOUSE COOPER
Artist
Sarah Mountford
Proprietor Old Rectory, House of Mutt
Once described by husband David as ‘head of the bitch pack’ (jokingly, I think!), Sarah is a Cambridge graduate whose previous employ included being the first woman to serve in the British Army’s Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, being head of PR for a Russian bank in London, freelance journalism for the Telegraph and Archant magazines and, latterly, setting up the House of Mutt. Sarah has owned and loved dogs all her life, including whilst living in London so more than understands the complexities, challenges and pleasures of urban dog-ownership.
License no: AWL0022; Insurance Brownhills
David Mountford
Veterinary surgeon
Cambridge qualified veterinary surgeon David Mountford spent 7 years in the Army Veterinary Corps, including tours in Hong Kong, Cyprus and London, before settling down to life in civilian street and a professional future in the world of equine veterinary medicine. With a close interest in dog behaviour and , obviously, health, David is the first point of call in respect of any medical or behavioural issues for dogs staying at the House of Mutt. David now heads the British Equestrian Veterinary Association.
Harriet Parish
Client Manager
Harriet took over the office in 2022, from whence she efficiently administers all things HoM. Much of her time is spent organising taxi routes around London (she’s almost ready to take The Knowledge!) and pretty much all of it is spent sharing her office chair with one furry friend or another.
Previously she worked at an accountants, and in between times has been a dog walker and pet sitter. Running the office at House of Mutt combines the best of both – organising and dogs! At home Harriet has two cats, Teddy and Rupert (the bear names were not intentional), and loves spending time with her family.
Hannah Hitchcock
Client Manager
Hannah has always had a passion for working with animals and came to House of Mutt from working as a Veterinary Technician at an Equine Practice in Newmarket. She has now semi-retired her wellingtons (bar the occasional ramble round Euston Estate with a furry friend or two) and is embracing indoor working life, the comfort of an office chair - and heating! Hannah is working alongside Harriet, looking after Clients and organising taxis, food orders, grooming schedules and so on.
Hannah loves organising and has a wicked display of markerpens for every occasion! She also loves her dog Maisie, rabbit Woody, going for long walks and spending time riding with friends, running and going to the gym.
Sam Bowker-Laing
Office Manager & Accounts
Sam has come to House of Mutt from corporate life in Cambridge with a Japanese Biopharmaceutical company. Being back with animals is a return to roots for Sam who was born into a Horse Racing family, giving her a furious work ethic and a love of all things countryside, neither of which have left her.
Sam has a pesky Terrier, three grown-up sons, a long-suffering husband, and amazing skills with a sewing-machine! In her time away from work, she creates and sells beautiful cushions and home decorations.
Andrew Huffee
Driver
Andrew is now semi retired after long careers both in the Royal Navy and the Police Service. He is enjoying the newly found opportunity to spend time with his wife Di, Monty the collie and Jazz the prima donna cat.
Andrew is a keen road cyclist and wind surfer. When not on four wheels for The House of Mutt he is usually on two carousing around the countryside.
Howard Crook
Driver
Howard joins Andrew on the House of Mutt ‘fleet’ from Newmarket where he lives with his family and two dogs. His favourite downtime is spent walking the dogs, swimming, cycling and going horseracing. Originally from London so very familiar with the busy streets of London, Howard is very happy to be now driving dogs around the areas he knows so well - a perfect match!
Monica Herbert
Proprietor The Gables, House of Mutt
Monica’s wonderful family home, The Gables, is as perfect a home for dogs as it is for people - complete with fabulous, creative, well-tended gardens which make for many a pretty picture! Monica and her family have two Dachshunds, a Labrador and a horse.
Monica’s daughter Jemima, now lives in London and has been known to spot familiar ‘HoM dogs’ out and about with their owners - don’t be surprised if you get accosted in town by a very enthusiastic and very pretty young lady demanding to say hello to her friend, your dog!
License no: 19/000068/AA_NEW; Insurance AXA
Denise Mountford
Proprietor House of Mutt Valley Farm
Denise spent many years working as a PA in London before leaving London to care for her young family who have now flown their delightful 10 acre smallholding nest in Suffolk and been replaced (!) by a menagerie of dogs, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and a very confident cat. The family has two resident dogs: a Bernese called Henry and a Terrier called Bear. Bear considers himself boss of the two!
Denise is fascinated by the interaction between people and animals, and particularly in recognising how dogs relax and stabilise as soon as they understand their boundaries – a skill especially relevant to helping visiting dogs quickly settle.
License no: LN/000004055 ; Insurance Brownhills
Proprietor House of Mutt Bowers Farm
Sharon has worked, trained and owned many dogs over the years, and now has a full team of working Labradors. She judges field trials and regularly competes in working tests and trials at the highest level with her pack of home-bred dogs. Her dogs are quite soft in temperament and she relates especially well to sensitive souls who appreciate her fair and firm approach to training, where kindness and a natural ability to ‘think dog’ are paramount.
Sharon and her husband really enjoy sharing their home with House of Mutt dogs who settle quickly with her kind, semi-retired indoor dogs, love their outdoor lifestyle and benefit enormously from exercising with a beautifully-trained pack.
Sharon Dingle
Judith Curtis
Proprietor House of Mutt Main Barn
Judith has always had a passion for working and living with animals, initially focussing on horses and dogs, before qualifying as a Vet Nurse and spending 15 years at a top veterinary hospital. The last few years of which she acted as the sole night nurse, while running her own Home Boarding service for clients’ pets during the day. She moved back up to Norfolk from Ascot in 2023.
Judith’s owned and trained numerous breeds of dogs over the years, and also competes and works her own small pack of impeccably behaved Labradors, and Border Terrier Aggie who goes along on Shoot Days to supervise!
Judith is well aware how important mental & physical stimulation and routine are for dogs. Living on a rural farm provides the perfect balance of stimulation and snoozing in front of the fire in the evenings. House of Mutt is delighted to welcome Judith and her wonderful house to the team!
License no:AWL0180; Insurance Cliverton
Proprietor House of Mutt Spot Farm
Abbi moved in to the fabulous Spot Farm in 2024 with partner Jack, having spent a year renovating, organising, plotting and planning. She spent a couple of months’ of that time (when the builders were at their busiest!) in Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean where she volunteered at a Dog Sanctuary. Abbi has grown up with Working Labradors and Spaniels; eats, sleeps and breathes ‘dog’ and is looking forward to providing House of Mutt dogs with the most perfect home-from-home in North Norfolk. Regular trips to the nearby beaches, and acres and acres of the family estate await lucky canine guests!
Spot Farm is not yet licensed so is unable to accept House of Mutt dogs just yet. We’ll let you know when Abbi has had her inspection and is official :)
Abbi Flux
Pat Woolhead
Driver
Pat is a recently retired Police Officer who moved to Norfolk in 2020 and joined the House of Mutt driving team in 2024. She has four dogs of her own, loves driving, Amateur Dramatics and photography - and thrives on busy’ness!
Animal behaviourist
Olivia Turner graduated with a first-class degree in Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. She then embarked on a career in horse training and behaviour in the USA and Australia before returning to the UK to lecture at the European School of Osteopathy teaching canine and equine behaviour. She now works one on one with clients, both at House of Mutt and also in owners’ homes, specialising in training and behaviour modification, aggression, separation anxiety, recall, lead work and more.
Olivia says ‘For me, the animal's needs always come first, and I will only move at a pace the animal is comfortable with. I aim to create a balanced, happy animal that is ready for successful training, avoiding stress and confusion.’
Olivia turner
Lottie Mountford
Assistant
Lottie abandoned (!) the House of Mutt office in 2022 when she left to become a Sport Physiotherapist - but she has an enthusiastic following of devoted dogs and such an innate understanding of the workings of the business that we shamelessly call on her services whenever we are able!
Dog Care & Behaviouralist
Lucy knew from a young age that she wanted to work with dogs and graduated from university in 2020 with a degree in Canine Behaviour & Training. She has worked at various canine charities, doing everything from kennel work to agility training and puppy socialisation classes. Lucy has three dogs of her own, two Spaniels, and a Jack Russell to keep her on her toes! In her free time she enjoys exploring the Norfolk countryside, cooking, and going to the theatre and music concerts.
lucy coultrop
Sonia Smith
Assistant Groomer
Sonia has helped out at House of Mutt for many years, and is valuable member of the team. Whether that’s hoovering, cleaning, brushing dogs, cuddling newbies or just inspiring us all to get the Christmas decorations up! She has six dogs of her own at home – a Pug, a Shitzu, A Bulldog, and two Frenchies.
Sonia is mid way through the Dog Grooming Training Course at Easton College in Norwich, in order to get a formal qualification for a skillset we’ve long known is brilliant!
Naomi Nunn
Dog Groomer
Dog groomer Naomi joined the team in 2019 and alongside running her own busy grooming salon, is on hand for any grooming treatments from full grooms, nail clipping and hand scissoring to teeth cleaning and ear plucking to name but a few! She has experience with a variety of breeds big and small, long haired and short so can turn her hand to most types and breeds with ease and confidence.
She lives in Suffolk with her Husband Tom and their Labradors and Horses. ‘Dogs are members of our families’ she says ‘and part of their well-being is ensuring their coats look and feel fabulous. I take this ethos and pride with every dog I groom, whether it’s a bath or full groom, it’s important dogs go away looking and feeling wonderful - and with happy owners!’
Lucy Perry
Artist
Lucy and her family live at Meadow Farm, a wonderful oasis of art and nature, near New Buckenham, Norfolk, and a former House of Mutt House. Lucy is now a full-time artist, has her studio on site and colourful artwork on every wall. Lucy is ideally placed to paint dog portraits and thoroughly understands their every wag and look! Further details are on www.lucyperryart.co.uk/portraits.
Mouse Cooper
Artist
David ‘Mouse’ Cooper grew up surrounded by horses, following his father in to the family business of horseracing and working as a jockey for many years. Injury eventually led to him being able to revisit his first love, art - he’d got a scholarship at Goldsmiths College in London after school which he’d been unable to take up at the time. He is now a full-time artist and divides his time between teaching and painting. His passion is to convey movement in animals, particularly horses and dogs. We are so honoured to have him on our House of Mutt team!