I've loved animals since I can remember, from the cantankerous African Gray we had when I was a baby, to the umpteen hamsters, ferrets, kitty cats, dogs and fish I had as a teenager. I grew up in West Knoxville and graduated from Bearden High School. I got a job when I was 16 working at a local pet shop. I worked there for almost 2 years and then got a job at Young Williams Animal Shelter. After t
hat ran its course I tried my luck at college. Animals was where I wanted to be and I didn't want to spend forever with my nose in a book to get there! So a friend of mine had a family pet shop and I was offered a job as a cashier. But about a year into it I realized what I REALLY wanted to do: Be a Dog Groomer! I saw first hand the patience and dedication it took to work with the animals so closely and knew I had what it took. I had a few options to learn the trade and thought very seriously about them. Ultimately I decided to be an understudy with an NDGAA Master Certified All Breed Groomer. Her name at the time was Holly Richmond. She taught me the fundamentals to being a Dog Groomer. After our contracted grooming lessons were complete I was on my own. I quickly learned that it wasn't just knowing how to groom the dogs; It was an art that involved knowing how to work with the dogs. I had to learn a language so to speak and I believe I've almost mastered it. There have been many times where I've had a calming effect on a typically nervous dog. I've tried to encourage other groomers in the past to hone in on “the language” but apparently its a gift. So 11 years after I turned on my first set of clippers I'm continually learning and applying the skills it takes to be the best at my trade that I can be. I truly do enjoy my job and find comfort in knowing I service a species that otherwise could not do so on their own. The future of Kats Dog House depends on what the Lord has in store for me and hopefully it goes hand in hand with my own vision: grooming, boarding, daycare, retail, and the dream gets even bigger than that! But for now, Ill settle for my little shop in Halls and catering to its great community! :)
