Klint D’Souza
MBA in Human Resource Management 2012
Klint D’Souza wasted little time in putting the skills and theory from his MBA into practice by starting his own pet services business which he is passionate about.
Klint, 28, originally from India, said: “I left my steady job in the corporate world to start Woof Company in 2015 with very limited resources. Now I have got nine staff members and we are expanding quickly across India and currently looking at launching a branch in the UK.”
Woof Company provides behavior training and dog walking services. They use positive reinforcements and also get the dogs to socialize with other dogs from the group during the day.
Due to the success of his business and passion for animals, Klint decided to take a further step and in 2016 established the Woof Human Animal and Nature Development Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that works towards the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and sick animals.
Klint explained: “We conduct awareness and education programs which focus on reducing human-animal conflict and conservation of the environment.”
He added: “The inspiration behind my success is my pet Labrador Keira. I would not be here without her.”
Talking about his experience at the University of Sunderland, the 28-year-old said: “Studying at Sunderland has been the best experience ever till date. The beach and football brought me to Sunderland.
“I met amazing people on and off Campus who made it a memorable journey. I worked as an International Support Volunteer at the Students’ Union helping planning trips and events for students. I also performed with the UoS African Drummers Group, took part in the Globe Café activities, took part in group projects, played football and went regularly to the beach.”
Klint is especially grateful to Jan Spalek, Adam Gawne and Carl Taylor from the Students’ Union for “giving me the opportunity to let me put my skills to the test and believe in me”.
When asked about what he would tell current students, he answered: “Get involved in activities at Uni, ask questions and do something you have never done before. I can promise you that at the end of your journey as a student you will understand the skills you have developed.”