Normandale

Boarding Kennels and Cattery

Near Bishops Stortford and Harlow on the Herts/Essex border

  • Boarding of dogs, cats and other small animals
  • Dog training
  • Grooming
  • Problem solving
  • Microchipping, Identity tags engraved
We are veterinary inspected, approved and recommended.

About us

Pat Clark with her family and staff are dedicated to ensuring that you and your pets have as stress-free a separation as possible.

Pat's well qualified to do this. As well as owning Normandale, Pat is a professional dog trainer, and member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers. She runs regular classes for owners and their dogs.

What's more, Pat is also the founder of Mutts in Distress, an organisation that rescues 'death row' dogs from the Essex stray pound. She gives her time generously to treating and rehoming the stray and abandoned dogs that she takes in.

Here are Pat and some of the staff with another happy visitor.

Pat with kennels staff

At Normandale, we also offer these services:

Take a look behind the scenes at Normandale.

Find out more about our facilities.

Here are five of the Normandale kennels staff after gaining their animal first aiders' certificates.

First aiders

And our special thanks to Ann Eve for all the help she gives to Normandale and Mutts.

Eve's Dog Catering

About Pat

Pat and Sandy
Pat and Liam

Pat Clark is a professional dog trainer, registered with the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers since 1989. She is the owner of Normandale Boarding Kennels & Cattery and the founder of Mutts in Distress pound-dog rescue. She is also one of the administrators of BIGGSD German Shepherd rescue.

Although she is a German Shepherd breed specialist, Pat also owns and trains all different breeds for general pet dog obedience and works with owners whose dogs have specific problems, to resolve whatever is causing behaviour issues with their pet.

Veterinary surgeons refer dogs with behavioural problems to Pat and she is happy to see these dogs at her kennels, or in the customer's home.

Pat has lectured at the Barbican on the subject of pet dog training and often gives talks to local groups. She also trained seven of the dogs who appeared in the film 101 Dalmatians. A number of dogs trained by Pat and their owners, have become registered visiting therapy dogs.

Pat will assess dogs hoping to become registered Pets As Therapy (PAT) Dogs and help owners achieve their dogs qualification.

Both her classes and private 1-1 sessions are held in a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere, where she will share a few laughs and add some fun to the training periods.

Pat has competed with her own dogs in obedience, agility and the show ring and has shared much success in all these fields. Since buying the kennels and running Mutts in Distress dog rescue, she doesn't have time to compete now, but is happy to help people wanting to take up competitive obedience with their dogs.

Pat will also offer ringcraft lessons (for show dogs), on a 1-1 basis.

Plans to open a new agility group are under way and we will update the website with the start date.

Although Pat is very qualified to do her job, the cost of the classes and consultations are very reasonable indeed.

Please ring to discuss your dog's needs. Most behaviour problems can be sorted out in class, but more difficult dogs may need to be seen and assessed first. Whatever your dog needs to make him easier to live with, we will not 'rip you off'. Honest!.

Pat and dog
BIPDT logo
Pat's award nomination

Some important information

We need to draw your attention to a few important pieces of information about your pet's stay at Normandale.

  • Please note that the kennels are closed for booking in and collection of animals on public (bank) holidays.
  • There is a £25 surcharge per animal for any stay that includes a public holiday, or £30 if your booking incorporates the Christmas / New Year period.
  • A non-refundable deposit will be taken.
  • Accommodation must be paid for up to the booked departure date, even if the animal goes home before that date.
  • All prices shown on this website include VAT where applicable. Our VAT number is 720118287.

Cookies on our site

  • Some of our pages include Youtube videos, and the home page includes a Google Map. On those pages you may notice some cookies that are created by Youtube and/or Google. We are not able to prevent this happening, but you can block them in your browser if you wish to.
  • Normandale itself does not store or use any cookies.