Our Commitment to Excellence

When growing the Bruce’s family, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. The only prerequisite is that they love dogs!

Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, skills, and experience, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates.

Every new colleague completes our bespoke induction training program, ‘Say Hello to Bruce’s‘, and a robust Dog Welfare Course, which includes:

• Welcoming new colleagues into the Bruce’s family.
• Understanding the Bruce’s story and values.
• Explaining the Bruce’s Difference and our Purpose.
• Detailed training in dog handling, behaviour, hygiene, feeding, disease control, and first aid.

Our doggy bus drivers are DBS checked, and our dog-facing team undergoes an extensive two-week in-house induction covering all areas of dog welfare. Additionally, each centre has an Ofqual level 3 trained person, and we work alongside IMDT.

Part of our commitment to excellent and ensuring that we make decisions based on what’s best for our dogs at the heart, we’ve developed our Dog Expert Forum.

Our monthly Dog Expert Forum brings together our ‘Dog Champions’ from each Bruce’s centre. In this forum, we:

• Provide a platform for colleagues to share ideas and concerns.
• Discuss initiatives to improve dog welfare and enrichment.
• Act as a focus group for feedback on new developments and training.
• Develop robust CPD programs for all centres.
• Ensure new or updated legislation is shared and acted upon.

We provide on going opportunity for CPD for all Bruce’s colleagues.

Our colleagues from each Bruce’s centre have the opportunity to complete:

• Canine first aid training.
• Subsidised courses with IMDT and ISCP dog training institutions.
• Various apprenticeships, from animal care to HR management courses.
• A 12-month CPD dog welfare and enrichment program.
• Annual refresher training in quality and safety.

Our purpose is to enrich the lives of more dogs and their families. That’s why our commitment to dog enrichment is a cornerstone of ‘how we do things at Bruce’s’.

Our Managing Director, Ben Mann, heads our year-round enrichment program, which comprises a calendar of enrichment activities drawing on over five years of development experience. This program nurtures socialisation, provides fun, and engages our amazing team of carers.

We have a dedicated Enrichment Champion in each of our centres, who come together to share ideas, innovate and get curious about how to continuously provide first class enrichment for our dogs. Read more here about dog enrichment.

All activities align to one or more of our five enrichment principles below.

It’s time to meet some of our incredible team!

Every single member of the Bruce’s team is incredible, and we have many more dedicated carers, drivers, and managers across all our centers, each with extensive qualifications in canine care and welfare.

Bruce’s team members also take part in our own internal training programme, ran by IMDT trained carer Elena, and has been carefully designed to continually develop their expertise and uphold our high standards of care.

This ongoing training covers key areas such as Dog Behaviour and Welfare, Enrichment, Barking and Communication, Gate and Fence Frustration, Altercation Prevention, as well as Bus Dog Training and Accident Procedures. By focusing on these Bruce’s-specific practices, our team ensures every dog enjoys a safe, stimulating, and happy experience with us.

Here are just a few of our colleagues we want to bark about: