| I have always loved animals but wasn't quite sure how to make a career out of it. I went to work at a boarding kennel in 1996 as a kennel tech where I met a dog groomer. She would let me help her with roughing in the dogs and that is when I knew what I wanted to do. She told me about a Grooming School but financially I was unable to attend. Over two years later I had enrolled. Since graduating, I have worked in Vet Clinics, boarding facilities and strip and ship shops. I have witnessed horrible things done to animals by groomers that don't even like dogs but felt grooming them was a lot better than working in fast food. After talking with my Mom about this, she decided to open up a Grooming Salon and now I have the chance to work in an atmosphere where the safety of the pet comes first. I don't have to work side by side with greedy groomers that try to fit in as many dogs as possible to make the most money at the dogs experience. Now, here's the thing.... There is no licensing for groomers, or health inspections for grooming shops. So I could have self taught myself but I chose to go to school so that I could learn safe handling of pets, different skin and coat conditions, all AKC recognized breed grooming patterns, and much much more. Because there are no rules, restrictions or licensing for groomer, anyone can pick up a pair of clippers and call themselves a groomer. I believe that until this changes there will always be a high risk of danger when you bring your pets to the groomers from uneducated "groomers." This is why I am a firm believer in interviewing your groomer. ASK tons of questions!
As for my grooming.... I don't see myself as a groomer, but more like a Pet Stylist. Yes, there is a difference. A "groomer" does just that, grooms your pet. Making sure they are clean and have a neat appearance. Most "groomers" have the same style for every pet. I am a "Pet Stylist." Each dog that gets on my table is considered to be different from the next. Some are to tall, too short, overweight, bow legged, etc... My job is to style them to help hide their flaws and accentuate the good qualities. Just as with people, not all dogs look good in the same haircut or need to use the same products. Now, I do have clients that just want the basic short cut and that's great too but some clients really want their dogs to look the best they can. I guess you could say, our Salon is kind of like the Toni & Guy to the Super Cuts. I really enjoy those clients that trust me and let me do what I think is going to look best for their furkid. I really enjoy what I do. I do have my days though.... I am only human...LOL I can't imagine doing anything else. There is nothing like stepping back and looking at the pet you just styled and saying...WOW It's like having several great accomplishment a day every day. It's so satisfying and a ton of fun. My goal is to always want to get up and go to work and never having to dread it, or let it be just a job. I know I am not the best pet stylist in the world but I certainly try to be every day. I'm always open to learn new ways on how to better take care of the pets when they come to see me and never getting stuck in the old way. I don't feel that Pet Styling is where it all ends. I also consider myself to be in the pet health care industry. My clients do just get their dogs styled by me but come to me for advice on behavioral issues, food issues.....you name it, I'm there to help. A Pet Stylist needs to be there for all aspects of the dogs life and that's exactly where I'm at. Educating the client how to properly care for there pet is just as important as making their dogs look good. I feel very fortunate to have bonded with so many of the dogs and build relationships with their owners. NEVER FEEL LIKE YOU CAN'T CALL ME TO PICK MY BRAIN! Sincerely, Crystal James |
| A PERSONAL WORD FROM CRYSTAL |
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