Meet The Team
Michelle
Michelle is a lifelong animal lover and proud mum to two Cockapoos, Wilson and Betty, as well as a cat, Jaxon.
With over 15 years’ experience in a senior compliance role, Michelle has previously run a successful doggy day care centre. Her background means she takes great care to ensure every part of Rainbow Bridge, including individual pet cremation, is handled with the highest standards and attention to detail.
Michelle is primarily responsible for aftercare, personally overseeing the preparation of ashes and ensuring they are returned to owners with care, dignity and precision. She understands how important this final step is and works hard to make sure every family is reunited with their beloved pet as quickly and gently as possible.
The idea for Rainbow Bridge came from a very personal experience. When her cat Milo passed away, Michelle was unsure of her options. The vet quickly suggested cremation, but after a week she had heard nothing. It was only 11 days later that Milo was finally returned to her.
That difficult experience inspired Michelle to create a service built on compassion and understanding—one that supports families at one of the hardest times in their lives, and ensures they are kept informed and cared for throughout.
Michelle has also achieved a distinction in accredited Grief Coach for Pet Loss training, giving her the knowledge and empathy to guide others through the loss of a cherished companion.
James
James has many years of experience in the funeral industry, having worked as a funeral director in both Oldham and Prestwich. Alongside this, he owns a doggy day care centre and, like Michelle, is a devoted animal lover. He is also proud to serve as a trustee of the Destitute Animal Shelter in Bolton, supporting the welfare of animals in need.
James is primarily responsible for the day-to-day running of the crematorium and overseeing all collections, ensuring every pet is cared for with dignity and respect from the moment they are entrusted to Rainbow Bridge. His attention to detail and hands-on approach provide families with reassurance that their beloved pet is in safe and caring hands throughout the entire process.
His background means he has a clear understanding of what families go through when facing loss, and he is committed to offering kindness, empathy and support during such a difficult time.
James’s dog, Betty, is a registered therapy dog with Pets as Therapy, and together they often visit patients in hospital. These visits bring comfort and smiles, helping patients cope with their illness.
Having experienced loss with his own pets, James recognised that there was a need for more compassionate and personal pet aftercare.
This realisation inspired him, along with Michelle, to create Rainbow Bridge Pet Funerals—a service built on care, respect and understanding, ensuring families are reunited with their beloved pets as quickly and gently as possible.
Mya
Mya is Michelle and James’ daughter and plays a valued role within the family business. She is currently studying English Literature at the University of Lancashire, where her love of reading and storytelling continues to grow.
Growing up surrounded by animals, Mya shares the same compassion and understanding that sit at the heart of Rainbow Bridge. Her own experience of loss, particularly with her childhood cat Brucie who was euthanised at home before Rainbow Bridge was established, has given her a personal insight into how important it is for families to feel supported, informed and cared for during such a difficult time.
Outside of her studies, Mya enjoys getting lost in a good book and is a proud supporter of Bolton Wanderers.
Being part of Rainbow Bridge allows Mya to contribute to a service that means so much to her family, helping ensure every pet is treated with the care and dignity they deserve, and every family feels supported throughout.
Rob
Rob is a crematorium attendant at Rainbow Bridge, bringing with him valuable experience from his previous work within the funeral industry. His background has given him a clear understanding of the importance of dignity, respect and attention to detail when caring for those who have passed.
As a family man, Rob deeply appreciates the value of family and the role pets play within it. He understands that saying goodbye to a beloved companion is never easy, and he approaches every aspect of his work with care, compassion and quiet professionalism.
Rob takes great pride in ensuring each pet is looked after with the utmost respect throughout the cremation process, helping to provide families with reassurance and peace of mind during a difficult time.
Ashley
Ashley is a pet private ambulance driver at Rainbow Bridge, bringing with him a strong foundation of care, compassion and professionalism. Alongside his role with Rainbow Bridge, he works as a Staff Nurse at an NHS hospital, where he supports patients with empathy, respect and dignity—values he carries into every aspect of his work.
Ashley’s experience in nursing has shaped his calm, understanding approach, allowing him to support families with sensitivity during difficult moments. He takes great care in every collection, ensuring both pets and their families are treated with kindness and respect throughout.
His passion for this role is deeply personal. Having experienced pet loss himself, and more recently being supported by Rainbow Bridge with the loss of Darwin and Celi, Ashley saw first-hand the difference that compassionate, thoughtful care can make. That experience reinforced his desire to be part of a service that supports families in a meaningful way.
As a family-oriented man, Ashley understands just how important pets are within the family unit. With a genuine commitment to helping others, he is proud to play a part in delivering the same level of care and support that meant so much to him and his family.
Scott
Scott is a dedicated pet private ambulance driver at Rainbow Bridge, supporting families with care, calmness and professionalism at every step.
Having recently retired from an NHS Ambulance Service after 20 years, Scott brings a wealth of experience in supporting people during some of life’s most difficult moments. His background has shaped his calm, reassuring approach and his ability to remain composed and empathetic, even in the most challenging situations.
A genuine animal lover, Scott fully understands the trauma and heartbreak that comes with losing a beloved pet. He takes great care in every collection, ensuring both pets and their families are treated with the utmost respect and dignity.
With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, Scott provides a reassuring presence for families, offering quiet support when it’s needed most.