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Montie's Grooming & Goods
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Monties Grooming & Goods was inspired by two very special dogs who changed my life in ways I never could have imagined, but the journey to creating this business started long before Montie came into my life.
My journey in the dog boarding and daycare industry began with Colin and Erin. I have been working with them for nearly eight years, reaching that milestone this November. Over the years, what started as a job became so much more than that. It became a career that I truly love, a place where I was able to learn, grow, build relationships, and discover just how meaningful working with dogs could be.
For almost a year and a half, I have been working full-time and have also had the incredible opportunity to become a co-owner. I attended Slippery Rock University for a degree in Safety Management, and still continued working at Berkley Creek over the years. Before I graduated I did an internship with Kiewit, a construction company. I was placed in Jacksonville, FL, building a shiplift and drydock for Navy ships. At the end of my internship, I was offered a full time position in the southeast district. I had a tough decision to decide what I really wanted to do, but ultimately I followed my heart to stay at Berkley Creek. Being part of the business and having the chance to grow within the industry has taught me so much and continues to teach me so much—not only about grooming, but about caring for clients, building trust, running a business, and creating an experience that people and their dogs can feel good about.
Those years of experience helped me realize that grooming was something I wanted to continue pursuing and eventually build upon in my own way. I have been fortunate to learn from the people around me, gain experience with so many different dogs, and develop a deeper appreciation for the trust owners place in their groomers.
After nearly eight years in the industry, I felt ready to take the next step and create something that was truly my own—something that reflected my love for dogs, my experience, and the values I have developed throughout my career.
That is where Monties Grooming & Goods begins.
My childhood dog was sheapoo mix named Reggie. He was by my side for 15 wonderful years. Losing him at the beginning of January was one of the most difficult things I have had to go through. He was more than just a dog—he was family, my companion, and a part of so many of my favorite memories. He grew up with me, was there through all the different chapters of my life, and gave me the kind of unconditional love that only a dog can.
Then, at the beginning of February, Montie came into my life. From the moment we met, I felt something I can only describe as meant to be. After losing Reggie, I truly felt like somehow, Reggie had sent Montie to me. Montie brought a little bit of light back into a time that had been filled with so much sadness.
He reminded me that even after experiencing loss, there can still be room for new love, new memories, and new beginnings.
That feeling became the heart behind Monties Grooming & Goods.
I wanted to create a business that celebrates the incredible bond we share with our dogs and gives them the love, care, and attention they deserve. Grooming isn't just about making a dog look their best—it's about making them feel comfortable, confident, safe, and cared for.
I want every dog who walks through our doors to feel like they are being treated as more than just a client. They are someone's baby, someone's best friend, someone's family. I understand how deeply these animals become a part of our lives, because I have experienced that bond myself.
I named the business Monties Grooming & Goods after Montie, the dog who came into my life at just the right time and inspired me to follow this dream.
His name carries a very special meaning for me, because behind it is a story about love, loss, new beginnings, and the belief that sometimes our dogs find us exactly when we need them most.
But Monties Grooming & Goods is also a reflection of everything I have learned throughout my years in the dog boarding and daycare industry. The experience I have gained, the people and dogs who have been part of my journey, and the relationships I have built along the way have all played a role in bringing me to this point.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have helped me get here. Working alongside Colin and Erin, becoming a co-owner, and spending nearly eight years learning and growing in this industry have given me a foundation that I will always carry with me.
Now, I am excited to take that experience and turn it into something of my own.
My hope is to create a place where dogs feel comfortable and loved, where their owners feel confident leaving them in our care, and where every grooming experience is filled with patience, kindness, and genuine attention.
I know that no amount of grooming can ever replace the memories we have with the dogs we've loved and lost. But I also know that the love they leave behind can inspire something beautiful.
Monties Grooming & Goods is my way of turning that love into something meaningful—one pup at a time.
Reggie will always hold a special place in my heart, and Montie will always remind me of the beautiful new chapter that followed. One chapter ended with Reggie, and another began with Montie—and somehow, this dream grew from both of them.
This business is dedicated to both of them:
For Reggie, who taught me a lifetime of unconditional love.
And for Montie, who reminded me that love can find us again, even when you least expect it.
Every pup we care for is a small part of that story, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to turn something so personal into a place where other dogs can be loved, cared for, and celebrated too!