Pet Groomer

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THIS PATH? I chose pet grooming as a career because I am passionate about working with people and animals. I’ve loved animals since I was a child. finish off the first one and let the customer know their fur baby is ready for collection. I get an average of six pets coming in per day. The day ends with cleaning up the “office” and equipment, ready for the next day.

IF YOU HAVE A MORE UNUSUAL CAREER, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO I not only groom cats and dogs in our parlour, but also rabbits and occasionally guinea pigs!

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE? I trained with Alison at The Dog’s Whiskers, based in Valyland Centre. It’s the most popular dog parlour in Fish Hoek, so the training was top notch.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Hectic! The first animal comes in at 8:30am. I wash or brush them and then they go into a cage to dry, while I get started with the next one. After an hour, depending on the size of the pet, I would WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A PET GROOMER? I love what I do! It brings me so much pleasure when the fur babies walk out of the parlour looking all clean and polished, and their parents are happy with the new look. I find my work therapeutic, if you can call it that.

YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE PART? When people see a photo on the internet of a pet grooming style and ask if I can replicate it with a different breed. Most people don’t understand that dogs don’t all have the same hair texture. A Poodle’s hairstyle will not look the same on their Yorkie, for example. I have to explain to them that it’s not possible, and some people get disappointed. WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Not all customers will be happy with the outcome, even though I have delivered my best. Some pets need short cuts due to their fur being heavily matted or due to skin disease. Styling can only occur after treatment and regrowth of a healthy coat.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? I was recommended by a customer to new clients that were from England. I felt privileged to apply my skills on a foreign breed, and they were satisfied with the result. I delivered on the challenge with flying colours.

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I would love to own and run my own parlour one day.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Experience is actually even more important than formal training. I’ve been doing this for 15 years GLORIA DANIELS PET GROOMER

FOURWAYS VETERINARY CLINIC/PARLOUR

now, and still get dogs that test my experience and skills.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? It requires a lot of care and patience. You must be an animal lover and a cheerful person. Dogs are very sensitive and can respond to how you are feeling, and sometimes, they will act on it.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Fun, challenging and good-business.