Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Marie Pool.
Hi Ana Marie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From a very young age I had a loving fascination with animals, insects, ocean life…all beings. I developed a great interest in animal welfare and care in elementary school with an early dream to become a veterinarian, however, the universe had a different plan for me. I started volunteering at a local animal shelter by Jr high. During that time, I felt I had an important role to play as an advocate and voice for animals, as I saw the suffering on both sides, how and why animals ended up in shelters and the heartache in the eyes of the person handing the pet over. I was young, but I understood. No matter what job I had growing up I always found a way to incorporate volunteering and learning more about animal welfare and behavior into my personal schedule. In my early 20’s I had the opportunity to work at a Sanctuary for wildlife, exotic and domesticated animals. It was a sanctuary for the abused, abandoned and displaced. I had a beautiful and heartfelt experience with wildlife rehabilitation including the caretaking of large exotic felines (cougar, lions, tigers etc.) and many other exotic displaced animals (coyotes, owls, opossums, squirrels) Early 2000 I moved back to Texas and got a job at a local corporate store where I went into Grooming. That was the beginning of my career and love for pet grooming.
I was able to advocate and be the voice for animals.
My compassion and creativity show in my work.
I have volunteered with disaster relief for animals, organizing a makeshift shelter, managing a shelter dog care team for over 200 canines, and have played many roles in shelter work, including medical teams. I am also a charity groomer for local rescues and continue hands on education when available and make conferences every year. Skin and Coat are science. Recently, I was certified in Canine and Feline Anatomy and have hopes to wrap up my Master Groomer Nutrition Consultant this year. I love combining my love for holistic modalities with sophisticated grooming. I started my business in 2009, while working full time in another pet boutique grooming. I worked nearly 7 days a week for over a year to be able to afford what it would take to operate a legal professional pet grooming business and work for myself full time. It has been extremely challenging, but I never gave up. I continue over 25 years later to work hard, educate myself and clients, and be the best I can be for the pet parent community. I am proud to say, I just added a mobile grooming van to my in-studio business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road! It has taken a great deal of discipline and finding growth through failures and hardships.
Building a business is not for the weak, it is putting yourself in a position of intense vulnerability, and faith.
It is showing up for yourself, early mornings, late nights, and days when it feels like life is falling apart.
It is putting yourself in financial discomfort and hoping for the best. It is sacrificing weekends, holidays, and sometimes rest, even when you feel you can’t push through anymore. You don’t stop trying.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Pet Stylist, a small local business owner. My specialty is combining holistic modalities and educated pet grooming into my work. I am known for the attention to details, not only with my skill of using a pet’s coat as a canvas, but also the pet as a whole. Recognizing shifts in behavior, health, and over all well-being during grooming sessions is important, as I see pups routinely and more times a year than their veterinarians. I feel it is my responsibility to help clients take care of their pet and be the voice when a pet may need a vet visit or specialized care. My clients appreciate my caring nature and communication. I am mostly proud of the relationships I have established with both the pet and client, along with local veterinarians.
The feedback and being told their pet loves to come see me, and my shop seems so peaceful is extremely rewarding and I am forever grateful for the love I have been shown throughout the decades by the pets and clients. For some of the pets, I have been the one that gave them their very 1st grooming session, and the last, which I must say, is the most difficult part of my career. In fact, it truly is a devastating part of my work. These animals become part of my life; each holds a very special place within my heart. I also form relationships with clients, and I watch the families grow, and we all age together. There is a closeness I offer, and it is personable.
My willingness to take time to educate clients also sets me apart from others, this is why continuing education when given the opportunity is so important.
How do you think about happiness?
Trust. When a person is willing to give me an opportunity to care for their precious pet companion and family member. A returning client brings me happiness, as this is an indication I am on the correct path and meeting community expectations.
Contact Info:
- Website: pawprintsdojo.net (under construction for updating mobile services)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawprintsdojo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063763802218
