A COORANBONG man has launched a dog walking business with a difference.
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Codi Blanch, 22, is a serious Star Wars fan.
It was no surprise, then, to learn that he named the new venture Star Paws Dog Walking.
Mr Blanch was aged six when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He's been in and out of hospital for much of his life.
And two years ago he had a stroke which affected his mobility.
But it didn't affect his drive.
Mr Blanch said he had launched the business to raise enough money to treat his mum, Anne-Maree, to a campervan holiday.
Mr Blanch got a taste for travel when he recently visited family in Victoria. Now he's keen to do some more exploring.
I love dogs. I'm a dog person. I'm not really a cat person...
- - Codi Blanch
Launching a dog walking business was a good fit for Mr Blanch.
"When he was growing up, Codi always wanted to work for the RSPCA," Ms Blanch said.
And dogs are his favourite.
"I love dogs. I'm a dog person. I'm not really a cat person," he said.
Mr Blanch has an energetic support team.
The team leader is Adam Willis, who helps to run the Aspire Supported Holidays program, at Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre.
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The team includes some of Mr Blanch's friends from disability support programs run at the centre, as well as able-bodied friends and family.
Mr Blanch gets around with the aid of a walker, so he enjoys walking smaller dogs such as Buddy, Raphael and Digit.
If clients have bigger dogs, they can be walked and wrangled by Mr Blanch's helpers.
Already, the business has seven clients from the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area.
Dogs are collected from their owner's homes and driven to Blackalls Park Playground for walking and socialising every Friday.
Mr Willis said some clients preferred their dogs to be walked around their neighbourhoods, and Star Paws was happy to oblige.
The venture has been set up as a micro-business, with insurances covered by Aspire Supported Holidays, Mr Willis said.
Ten per cent of proceeds are being donated to the Mark Hughes Foundation, a charity set up to create awareness and support brain cancer patients and their families.
Mr Blanch, meanwhile, is revelling in his new job.
"Before he started, Codi really didn't want to do much. But now he's getting out, he's communicating more, and making friends. He's really proud of himself," Mr Willis said.
"I think the big message is it doesn't matter if you've got cancer or a disability - you can achieve what you want to do."
Star Paws Dog Walking charges $10 to walk a dog for 30 minutes, and can tailor a walk to suit each client, Mr Willis said.
Visit Star Paws Dog Walking on Facebook, or phone Mr Willis on 0459 404 758.