A WOMAN who has suffered from epilepsy since she was two has set up her own dog grooming business.

Leah Riley, 19, from Great Notley, has always had a love for animals and spent three years working at Millennium Vets in Braintree.

Miss Riley, from Bridge End Lane, wanted to set up her own business and took a course in dog grooming.

She is under supervision and has to take medication regularly, but she now has her own training and grooming salon in Blake End Craft Centre.

She said: “I love every aspect of working here, I love handling the animals and grooming them.

“I have always had a love for dogs- we have had more than 50 dogs use the service so far and we have only been open for four weeks.

“I’m really pleased with how it’s all going.”

Her mum Sandra said she still managed to get 10 and a half GCSEs at school.

She said: “Leah’s sheer determination and passion has helped her despite all her setbacks she has struggled with over her 19 years.

“She has a great eye for detail and despite her struggle she puts all her efforts into her new business.

“The animals are a great comfort to her and it shows to other people that despite an illness you can achieve.

“Animals are her world and life.”

She works with business partner and family friend Terry Collinson, who used to work with dogs at Essex Police.

Mr Collinson made friends with Leah and her mum Sandra, and the two decided to join forces in August.

He said: “Leah is doing really well, she is really passionate about it and it’s a good combination of dog grooming and one to one training.

“She has needed something to focus on in her life and now she has that.

“Despite all her obvious medical issues she is passionate and it’s a good team effort.”

Leah is under constant review from doctors, but thankfully has not had any fits at the business yet.

Mr Collinson said: “It’s a good learning curve for me working with someone who suffers with epilepsy, but it hasn’t affected her work yet. She’s doing great.”

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