 Little Shop's owner and lead stylist, Erin, has worked with and owned animals for over 15 years. Her love for horses drew her to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center in Old Lyme, CT. After volunteering there for just over 8 years, Erin left to attend Nyack College in New York. While playing NCAA Div. II volleyball and basketball, she was hired at a local kennel and her grooming career began. Erin fell in love with pet styling from the very beginning. She enjoys transforming pets and helping them put their best paw forward. To quench her competitive nature, Erin participates in national dog grooming competitions. She has won multiple Best All Around Groomer awards, as well as Best In Show, and several first placements. Competing helps keep grooming fun and exciting, as well as improving her eye for details. With the help of 2 colleagues, Erin is currently working on forming the CT Groomer's Association. Their goal in this venture is to raise the standard for grooming salons in our state as well as offer our clients a directory of the participating salons. Her family consists of: Rory (daughter), Paddy (son), Bear (Shep/Rotti x), ZZ (Standard Poodle), Rip (American Cocker Spaniel), Bullseye (DSH), Pester (DSH), Bostitch (DSH), Mercedes (Bengal/Maine Coon x), Stella (Columbian Red Tail). Links Erin would like to share: Groom Team USA: Erin hopes to be a member of the traveling team one day. Rascals Gym: for moms who need a hand and kids who want to play! Local breeders Erin has trained with and highly recommends: Cutwater Portuguese Water Dogs More pictures! Aurora Kate and Padraic Scott! Memorials for Erin's beloved pets: |
 Tina worked in the corporate world for more than 25 years before realizing her heart was calling her to working with pets. An avid pet lover, Tina has been rescuing and loving both dogs and cats since childhood. She has been part of Little Shop's team since December, 2007. Tina is our receptionist par excellence and wants nothing more than to give and receive lots of love from our pet patrons. "It's wonderful to be able to spend everyday with these animals. What a joy to be able to send them home looking and feeling good with heads held high. You can tell by the prance in their step that they know how beautiful they are." Tina shares her home with a beautiful White German Shepherd Dog, Ginger, whom she rescued in 2005. Together they spend their afternoons hunting down the perfect stick or retrieving the ever-wandering ball. Links Tina would like to share: Animal Rescue Site Animal Haven Labs 4 Rescue Paws N Effect: positive training for a well mannered four legged family member. Pets: the complete guide to pets, breed info, pet health and care, as well as an informative online community. |
 Laurie
was initially interested in the Health field and was able to observe
different professionals at the local hospital as well as volunteer many
hours at a physical therapy clinic due to a special program for seniors
at her high school. Realizing she was more interested in art and had a
creative personality, she pursued a career in Interior Design at Mesa
Community College in Arizona. Concerned that it would be difficult
finding a job in that field, she changed her major to Business and
settled for an Associate’s degree in Business Administration, all the
while holding a job as a server, cocktail waitress or bartender in
various restaurants.
“I
felt lost growing up, not knowing what I wanted to do for a career.
I’ve always had a passion for animals having pet’s throughout my whole
life but could never be a Veterinarian watching animals suffer. It
dawned on me to pursue a career in grooming after trying to make an
appointment to groom my own dogs. I called five different groomers and
it was all the same story: they were booked for weeks, some for months. I
thought about how crazy it was that this industry was booming in such a
terrible economy, and then realized I wasn’t the only the one willing
to sacrifice for my pets.”
Laurie
began her grooming career as a bather and instantly knew this was her
calling. She is happy to be part of The Little Shop of Howlers team and
family and proud to have Erin as her mentor. “It is so comforting having
a job I enjoy so much that I can hardly call it ‘work’, and be able to apply my creativity in pet styling. “ Laurie shares her home with her fiancée Jon and her two beloved Pomeranians Pumpkin (pictured) and Rufus.
Hamden RDOG: the keepers of Hamden's very own dog park; for a dog park near you, click here. BONES: for a howlin' good time, visit Beagles of New England rescue site. Dog Detective: Lost and Found network for pets. |
