How long have you been grooming and when did you realize you wanted to be a groomer?

When I was 10 years old I adopted a rescue shih-tzu who was in rough shape and needed a good haircut. He was really anxious and seemed like he thought I was leaving him for good when I would drop him off at the groomers. I didn't want him to feel that way, so I dedicated myself to learn how to groom him at home so that he wouldn't have to be alone at the groomers. I started with teaching myself the basics with the use of YouTube and some basic tools and eventually tried my first attempt at grooming with Charlie! Not too long after that, I realized that this was not only what I wanted to do for my own fur babies, but something I wanted to turn from a passion to a lifetime career. I wanted to be able to help other people's pets the way I helped my own so I started working on friends and families dogs. While doing this, I also started offering dog walking and pet sitting services to local dog parents. I spent every moment of everyday that I could around animals, from dogs to reptiles and everything in between!

What other jobs have you had and what kind of training do you have?

I learned as I went, gaining experience and confidence until I went to school in Scarborough to earn my grooming certificate. Since then, I have continued growing and learning as a groomer with continuous education, collaboration with others and being mentored by countless lovely women in my field. In recent weeks, I have began experimenting with Digital Pet Photography as well and have absolutely loved being able to transform to really show their personality and beauty.

What type of grooms are your favourite?

My absolute favorite types of grooms are when I can be creative and do whatever feels right for the pet! There are times when dogs are dropped off and the only instruction is to make them look cute! I love having the freedom to do what makes the pet comfortable while also making them look their best. As for breed, I have never and will never turn down a shih-tzu groom! Since that was my first pet and my first groom, they have a special place in my heart I absolutely love the breed, from puppies to seniors, short to fluffy, a shih-tzu groom will always be my first choice.

What pets do you currently have?

I am very happy to say that my fur family has grown exponentially in recent years to include three cats and five dogs. I am even happier to say that that number includes two shih-tzus amoung a Saint Bernard, a Rottweiler and a Chihuahua. They are my loves and my life and make my days so full of laughter and happiness!

What is your favourite way to relax after work?

Any time I can spend with my pets is time well spent. From playing in our huge fenced in yard to going on adventures or snuggling on the couch. Outside of work, you can most likely find me doing something with my fur babies, even if that is reading a book on the couch with them or baking them homemade treats! From spending all of my time with my fur family to working with dogs all day, I cannot get enough of four legged friends.

What is your favourite thing about working for Touch?

I am coming up on my one year of working at Touch Animal Rehabilitation and I can't say enough great things about the ladies I work with and the clients we have. I have never felt such welcoming arms and supportive words from a second family, and I am forever grateful to have found the Touch family! The overwhelming support and positivity that you can feel when walking in the building makes it feel like it isn't work at all. I have loved every minute of the last year and cannot wait to see what the future holds!