We meet the cafe owner set to host her first dog wedding in Solihull

It’s a cafe that really is like no other.

The Snooty Pooch Dog Cafe in Solihull - and its therapy dogs - are simply bursting with pup-tastic joy since it opened last September.

The team are on a mission to support the wellbeing of people and dogs. Based in the windy alley, off Mell Square in Solihull town centre, the cafe opened in September and hasn’t stopped its dedicated work since.

It has hosted a 90s themed cockapoo disco, doggy dating nights, pup-tail bars and birthday paw-ties for young and old - as well as providing dogs to offer support and companionship to people across the community.

Homeworkers regularly pop in for company during the day - from Thursday to Sunday - with their laptops and enjoy a pup-accino or two, and the Community Interest Company (CIC) also welcomes the local Hong Kong expat community each Wednesday. On Mondays and Tuesdays its therapy dogs are out and about training and in the community bringing comfort to others.

Now The Snooty Pooch is gearing up to host its first ever dog wedding. Founder Sarah Treanor is delighted that the cafe’s first canine couple are set to tie the knot.

The romantic coupling follows a beautiful doggy dating night held at The Snooty Pooch in February where pups were welcomed on a red carpet, and enjoyed a three course dinner and their own private singers.

We spoke to Sarah who told us how she set up her cafe after discovering the healing power of dogs as her son, then aged nine, suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder during the pandemic.

With mental health services stretched, she wasn’t prepared to wait on the huge NHS lists  - and her doctor suggested getting a dog, putting her in touch with a dog fosterer.

After selecting a Welsh Terrier for a year, Sarah couldn’t believe the transformation in her son’s life. He took care of the foster pooch who, in turn, rewarded her son with emotional support, companionship and loyalty.

Once the foster dog was returned, Sarah bought her son his own pooch who is now one of the therapy dogs at The Snooty Pooch Cafe (named after renowned former Solihull nightspot The Snooty Fox, where Sarah’s parents met).

Sarah told us how she continued to research how dogs can help people to heal and discovered more about their therapeutic benefits for humans.

She went on to set up a Solihull Dog Lovers facebook page where she helped to facilitate walks every week for hundreds of people and dogs. Anyone was welcome to join - whether they lived in Solihull or not, and you didn’t need a dog either. The dogs offered companionship to the walkers and helped to break down barriers and start conversations.

The group soon grew and a few of the regulars decided that they wanted to set up a physical space where they could host workshops for mental health and wellbeing with dogs.

So what happens at a dog wedding?

The Snooty Pooch Dog cafe is excited to host its first ever dog wedding this summer. Sarah explained how it has got a celebrant lined up who will conduct the ceremony at the cafe. And photos can be taken at St Alphege Church nearby. Food and drink can be provided. The cafe is happy to host other dog weddings too and welcomes same sex marriages and non binary pooches who wish to get wed.

All they ask in return is for a donation toward the cafe so that it can continue its great work which is supported by funding from the National Lottery and Heart of England Community Foundation. It also has 60 paw pal volunteers aged seven to 67 years-old who help look after the therapy dogs and customers.

When can I visit The Snooty Pooch Dog Cafe?

The Snooty Pooch Dog Cafe is open from Thursday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm and on Sunday from 11am to 4pm. There’s a picket area with astro turf as you enter the door, where a volunteer will welcome you - and your dog, if you bring one.

You can have a chat about dogs and they will then invite you to take your dog off the lead, if you like and the pooch can sit up at the tables, have a walk around or play in the back room. There’s a TV, pup-accinos (made with sustainable Blue Mountain coffee) and other refreshments and climate friendly, nourishing dog food.

The Snooty Pooch Dog Cafe is at: Windy Alley, 50 Drury Ln, Solihull B91 3BH. You can find more at the website here: The Snooty Pooch Dog Cafe