The idea of dog grooming seems simple. You give them a bath, trim their fur, and they're on their way, right? Yea...I don't know how much you know about grooming dogs, but I walked into the door of Doodle Day Spa about as knowledgeable on the topic of dog grooming as I am space and time. (For reference-I know nothing about space.) But you know who knows a lot about it (dogs, not space)? Kaylee Banion, the owner of Doodle Day Spa. In the hour I spent with Kaylee, not only did I learn a ton about her profession, I learned a lot about this impressive young person.
Let's start with Kaylee's credentials. They are super important after all! When Kaylee left her former grooming job to venture out on her own and start Doodle Day Spa last year, she had six years of experience under her belt. Kaylee is AKC S.A.F.E. certified, CPR and First Aid certified, and even Difficult Dog certified. She values the quality of care she gives her clients and participates in continuing education to make sure the pups that visit her have the best and safest experience possible. Let's take a look at what that experience actually looks like...
When I say Kaylee taught me a lot about dog grooming, that is an understatement. For instance, did you know a tub is a big deal? I know you need one, but I didn't understand just how much of a difference the one your dog receives their bath in makes. Kaylee does though and she takes pride in the one she uses. Apparently a lot of tubs are a fixed height, which can make it difficult for the groomer to get the dog in. This puts the dog at risk for potential falls off of the ramp, hitting the side of the tub, or just plain being afraid of being hoisted in the air. But the tub at Doodle Day Spa has an electric lift and the dogs are put in from ground level and raised up to be bathed. And in case you missed it, that is a towel warmer behind Kaylee. Yes, the dogs at Doodle Day Spa get warmed towels after their baths. I know you're about to open the Amazon app to start shopping for the human version of this towel warmer, but I have more to tell you first!
Side note: Isn't Bear just the cutest?!
In case you're wondering, the answer is yes...the grooming tables also had to have electric lifts. When I visited, only the large grooming table was electric. Since my visit, they have upgraded the smaller table as well!
These grooming tables may seem fancy to some, but Kaylee has a soft spot for senior dogs and that makes these electric lift options necessary. "Seniors require special care, attention, and patience. I personally had a senior dog who lived to be 17, Mojito," Kaylee said. When Kaylee found out I had lost my senior dog, Lola Bear, a couple of years ago, she was kind enough to listen to my stories and she even asked questions about her. Yes, Kaylee is more than qualified to be a good dog groomer. But I believe it's the care and love she has for dogs that makes her great.
Kaylee was kind enough to let me hang around a bit longer than normal so I could really get a feel for the business. In the process, I got to spend time with her apprentice, Sierra Reed. You can almost always tell what kind of a work environment a business has by simply being around the employees. While my interactions with Kaylee always felt very genuine, that feeling was cemented when talking with Sierra. The work atmosphere is one of care, respect, and a ton of laughter. The end goal with these two is clearly the same: making dogs look and feel great!
Kaylee goes the extra mile by having a small shopping section as well. In this section, you'll find some grooming supplies, treats, and even toys! If you ever have a pet photo session with me, the blue squeaky toy I now use was a gift from Kaylee straight out of her store. It works so well to get a pup's attention!
If you have a dog, I can't recommend Doodle Day Spa enough. From baths, hair cuts, nail trimming, and even doggie cologne, they really offer it all! And don't let the name fool you...they take care of every breed! I'll post a few more fun photos below. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for contact info!
Scout didn't believe Sierra when she said he was the cutest boy. He had to be shown!
Snooki wanted to see what was going on all of the time! She had to be carried around so she didn't feel left out.
The décor in this place is so cute!
And finally, Kaylee with her own pup!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my great visit to Doodle Day Spa! For more information, check out the links below: