Dog owners want their pets to look good and be clean, but Jo Mills, who grooms at Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute, wants them clean and chemical-free.
“I use only Earthbath products, which are made from natural substances with no additives and are soap-free,” Mills says. “That can make a huge difference, especially for dogs with allergies.”
Mills moved to Chattanooga six years ago. After going to college at Southern Idaho for Equine Studies, she spent three years apprenticing with a groomer who’d been in the business for decades. Mills then went to school to learn how to cut specific breeds of dogs and earned her certification. She has now been a certified groomer for nine years.
Mills takes appointments throughout the day so owners don’t have to leave their dogs. “They can usually be in and out in an hour, depending on the breed and condition of the pet,” Mills says.
Mills laughs when asked about the “bows and bandanas” syndrome. “I do not use bows or bandanas unless the owner requests them,” she says.
Mills offers the following bathing tip to dog owners: “Use a shampoo appropriate for your pet and one that is soap-free. Human shampoos, even baby formulas, are too strong for your pet’s delicate skin. Pets do not replenish the oils on their skin as fast as humans do. Bathing them with human shampoo almost always leads to itchy, dry skin.”
Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute is located at 918 East Main Street. For more information, call 423-531-8899 or visit www.chattanoogaholisticvet.com.
Source: Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute