The dog bus service bringing smiles to the community

You wait for one bus and then 15 dogs come along at once – if Billy’s Bus happens to drive past.

Founder Laura Mohan says the dog bus, which takes pets on day adventures in the community, is the first of its kind in the UK.

Ms Mohan had the idea when she was struggling to find care for her own pup, Billy.

“We found with dog walkers one hour wasn’t enough. And full-day care was too much for him,” she says.

“We took inspiration from an American lady called Canine Convoy and then we went to town with the idea. Everyone loves seeing dogs on a bus.”

Ms Mohan, who runs the coach as part of her dog walking business, and driver Ray Welderend travel around parts of Bradford and Leeds picking up paw-sengers.

The four-legged fare payers are then secured and can pay special visits before getting to walkies later on.

“We’re half dog service, half community based. We do as much as we can in the community,” says Ms Mohan.

“We do drive-bys to old people’s homes, nursing homes, schools and nurseries, everyone can come on board, say hi to the dogs, and then we just ask for a donation to a local dog charity that we’re associated with called Aireworth Kennels.”

Ms Mohan says after setting up the business five weeks ago, demand had been brisk.

“I thought we’d probably get 20 enrolments in a week or two, but we woke up the second day and we had 68. Now we’ve got just over 340 dogs enrolled so it’s a second bus time,” she explains.

The dogs, who spend three to four hours with Ms Mohan and the team, can even be followed on a live stream from the bus.

“It’s a bit like running a children’s nursery – the key is lots of engagement and lots of love and that keeps everybody in a good mood,” she says.

Millions of homes in the UK welcomed new pets during the coronavirus pandemic as people sought companionship.

The RSPCA previously said that some dogs have had behaviour problems – particularly after being left alone for the first time when their owners returned to work.

Catherine Taylor is a support worker at Outside the Box, a community café in Ilkley that supports adults and young people with learning disabilities.

She says the young people loved having the dogs to visit.

“We work with adults with learning challenges who need diversity. So we help them to complete a shift in the café, and then we run workshops.

“It’s such a treat to have the dogs. It’s tactile, it’s caring. They’ve been so excited preparing for them, preparing all their drinks, putting signs out to make sure they have space for the bus.”

Georgie Grove sends her dog Coco on the bus.

“I’m working all the time. I’ve got a new baby and I want him to go on as many walks as possible, that’s what you always want when you get a dog. So this is just perfect,” she says.

Issey Giltrow says the service allows her dog Alfie to play with other dogs and get socialised.

“I work from home and he’s become very needy with me. We saw it when we were walking through Ilkley and we thought this would be perfect for him – get him out with other dogs,” she says.

Driver Ray Welderend describes being behind the wheel of the canine coach as the perfect job.

“When I saw this advertised I thought, ‘I’ve got nothing better to do with my time’ and if I’m out and about playing with dogs, and helping out with dogs, it’s win-win for me,” he smiles.

Before driving dogs, he was more used to transporting goods up and down the motorway in his role as an HGV driver.

“This is a dream job compared to lorry driving,” he says.