Animal House-- Caring for All Breeds

Just a few months ago, Collette Williams discovered an opportunity to purchase what used to be Super Star K-9 Grooming on Highway 99 between Ashland and Talent. She had completed comprehensive training from the Paragon School of Grooming and was looking for a place to set up shop, so with the help of a local real estate agent, K-9 became Animal House and her dream became a reality. "Patty Millen, was so encouraging, she was my real estate angel," she says.

With a building in place, Collette set out to remodel the interior with "pet comfort" in mind. She is a forward thinker and knows how much people care about their pets. She set out to provide a level of service that was not being met here in the Rogue Valley and in just a few short months she has proven her methods are "top dog". "We have extremely high standards as far as grooming techniques and sanitation that customers won't find anywhere else. This is my passion. I want to work with dogs and cats more than anything else," she says. You can hear it in her voice-- a sense of pride and it is obvious that she loves what she does. "If someone is choosing a groomer or a place to board their pet, they must take a good look at how clean a place is. Dogs spread diseases and allergies too, which is why we are so committed to keeping things sanitized. We carefully clean our tools." Animal House is the only full service groomer owned and operated shop in town. They can board your pets in a shop that looks like "home".

"Dogs pick their owners and they also pick their groomer," she says. "I want the dogs that come in here to know me and they do. We enjoy every minute we spend with them and we keep it fun." She grooms all breeds, from mutts to champion dogs of all sizes and she specializes in hand scissoring rather than clipping. "Hand scissoring is an art form and technique I learned in school," she says.

One of the many benefits of visiting Animal House is that Collette's education included learning the different types of breeds and why breeds are the way they are. This proves to be valuable on a daily basis as she uses what is referred to as the "Tellington Touch or T-Touch", which is a positive approach to training animals that relies on circular movements of hands and fingers over the animals entire body. Not only does she go out of her way to be-friend the dogs and cats who enter the shop, she feels very strongly that visiting any groomer or kennel should not stress an animal out. "It all goes back to taking time out for them. We'll make sure that the animal feels comfortable."

Animal House offers a senior discount as well as pick up and delivery. "Our customers are very important people. And if there is ever a problem, I will go out of my way to make things right. We use bows and bandannas, little touches that show that we care."

"My mentor, Joan Delon, a very accomplished 77 year old woman once told me that someday I would bypass her success. You will graduate life with honors," she told me. Watching Collette's dream take shape and her outstanding commitment to her customers is proof that she is well on her way.

Go meet Collette and her staff and you'll see that at Animal House, every day is a celebration that focuses on you and your beloved pet. "And the best part is that you don't have to take out a small loan to bathe or groom your dog," she says.