Cassie is 21 and from Farnborough. Before grooming, she was doing dog walking - and a big part of what pushed her towards this career was her own dog. Her eldest has severe separation anxiety, and it made her want to build skills that could help dogs like that feel safer and more comfortable.
She first tried a Level 1 “learn to groom your own dog” course, and that was the moment things clicked.
“The first time I groomed a dog I instantly fell in love with it and knew I wanted to pursue it as a career.”
After that, she wanted something more in-depth - something that would properly build her confidence and help her become the best groomer she could be. The routine of the training also mattered, because she needed it to work around her dogs at home.
“It was easy to fit around my dogs, especially one with separation anxiety. The 9:30–2 schedule was intensive learning, but not overwhelming.”
What she enjoyed most was the environment around her while she was learning. She met other people on the same path, and the support and connections became part of the experience.
“I’ve absolutely loved it. I met so many wonderful people who’ve supported me in the next steps of my grooming adventure.”
As she progressed through her grooms and assessments, she noticed a shift in how she worked - more efficient, more confident, more like she was finding her rhythm. One dog, in particular, stood out as a marker of that change.
“When I groomed my 18th dog, Rodney the hound, I felt really time-efficient and confident, and it gave me confidence for my future grooms.”
Now that she’s completed her practical training and gained her first proper qualification, she feels proud - but also genuinely sad to be finishing.
“I feel over the moon. I’m gutted to leave because I’ve loved the people and support here. But I feel confident and excited for the future.”
Looking ahead, Cassie’s plan is clear. She wants to work one-to-one and focus on anxious dogs - the exact reason she started grooming in the first place.
“I want to be a one-to-one groomer, working with anxious dogs. That’s the reason I started in the first place.”
And if someone’s on the fence about starting, her advice is simple:
“Absolutely, go for it. If you’re a dog lover, you can’t not love the course, and it’s such a valuable skill.”
