All aboard the Bark Bus - Meet the Chorley woman taking your beloved pooches on an adventure

Pawsome news - the bus of dreams does in fact exist! All onboard the doggy minibus where all paws are welcome.

Meet Jemma from Clayton-le-Woods who has the most perfect day job - putting smiles on our beloved poooches’ faces by taking them on a little minibus adventure where they also get a special treat.

Bark Bus which travels around Chorley, Leyland and South Ribble is a door-to-door dog adventure service where dogs can relax and enjoy a scenic tour while looking out the window.

Jemma, 39, who also works as a semi-permanent make up artist from her home said the idea came about while she was sunning herself in Tenerife with her husband who then built the bus yellow paw-printed bus.

She said: “I had a Chihuahua who sadly passed away during Covid and then I got a Hungarian Vizsla as I am always at my happiest when out walking dogs.

“I thought why not take more dogs out in a doggy bus.”

What does the bus journey entail?

“The bus is fully airconditioned and they have water and and music. It is priced at £25 and bus driver Julien stops off for treats for them.

“They all have pods to sit in and wear a seatbelt and a harness.

“We match the breeds of dogs to a smiliar temerament on the journey which is about three hours and, depending on the weather, they will get a puppuccino or an ice-cream.

“When people see them looking out the window on the bus it stops them in their tracks.

“The other day we stopped to get them a Fredericks ice cream and some elderly people said it brightened their day seeing their little faces so I want to try ang get the bus to stop off at some care homes in the future to say hello.”

Anxious dogs are given toys such as lick mats but Jenna says that once the bus sets off they just look out the window the whole time.

As if all this wasn’t pawsome news in itself - before the dogs are returned to their owners they are sprayed with a baby fresh scent and also given clean and fresh paws.

Jemma, who is fully licensed, joked: “I don’t need to go to the gym with this job. The dogs love it and are tired by the end.

“Dogs safety is paramount and they are living their best life - what more could you ask for!”

She added: “At the minute we are only circulating around Chorley and South Ribble but I want to get another bus and go further afield as I have had people from Clitheroe and Warrington message me.”

Bus journeys operate on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 10am to 1pm. However if a heatave is pending the time changes an earlier slot of 7am.

Dogs should be at least 20 weeks old and above and be fully vaccinated.

If you would like to book your dog on the bus/find out more information click here