Growing up on a farm, I have always loved animals and had all kinds....from horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, a pet squirrel IN THE HOUSE....  While I was in college...I worked part time at the local Animal Clinic... after college while job hunting, one of the Vet's wives suggested that I learn to groom dogs..  (she was doing it out of necessity at the time)... she taught me what she knew, the Vets told me EVERY gory detail they could think of trying to prepare me... I checked into going to grooming school but there were very few back then (24 years ago)  and the best one we learned of was in New York... Because my husband, Dennis and I had JUST gotten married... I was not real willing to go to New York City by myself for 3 months when I wasn't even sure I wanted to groom dogs.  I did get the grooming book that the school recommended... used that like a bible... and listened to the owners...most people knew how they wanted their dogs to look!!!! After grooming for a couple months and thinking this might be a good career  for me... a friend that worked at The  Henry Co. Animal Clinic suggested that I come there and work too... her Brother in law was the Vet.. and said he would be glad for me to come there and groom... That is when I met a poodle named  "Derby"... the dog looked like it could have been in pictures!!!!!   BEFORE I groomed  her...  my friend  told me the owner would either love my work... or I'd never see her again... it took me all afternoon to groom her dog... she did make another appointment... the next time I groomed "Derby" her "mom" drew pictures of how I had done her last.. and the way she wanted her to look... it took a few sessions like that.. but I eventually "got it" and groomed Derby every 4 to  6 weeks for at least 10 -12 years, until she passed away...

 

After about a year , I left the local  animal clinic... my dad and brother fixed up a grooming shop on the family farm outside of  Lawrenceburg, where I groom 2 days a week and at The Henry Co. Animal Clinic 3 days a week.... living in Shelbyville, that makes me almost half way between both places...I have groomed for 24 years now....and for 23 of the 24 years I have groomed at both places ...   I did leave and go groom for a Kennel about 9 years ago.. but realized I have  worked on my own for too long and went back to both former places...primarily working by myself, occasionally recruiting a  Vet or a  tech to help with unruly dogs... also my mom & dad will help out if needed...

 

I raised 2 'wild' rabbits... tamed them and we shared our house with them...until loosing them both last year at 8 and 9 years old...pretty long life for a 'wild' rabbit!!!! 

 

For the past 5 years my husband Dennis and I have had a Behavioral Management issues dog...a Cairn Terrier, Buster Brown... Thankfully we found Liz Norris and with her help, have turned Buster around!!! Making him, our Westie, Paddy Mac and Sugar Bear, a Bichon Mix all Pet Therapy dogs within the 9 months.... and found a great friend and team mate in Liz.... 

 

 It is a very interesting Career and I've gotten to have a lot of different dogs and cats in my life that might not have normally happened... What a wonderful career choice!!!  Come Style With Us