From Vet Tech to Groomer: Meet Paragon Rising Star Bella Crowder
Meet Paragon Certified Pet Groomer Bella Crowder! Based in Kingsport, Tennessee, Bella’s journey into grooming began long before she started her Paragon coursework. After dreaming of working with animals since she was a little girl, Bella began her career as a veterinary technician and spent four years working in veterinary medicine.
After tragically losing her soul dog, Velvet, to lymphoma, Bella found it difficult to continue working as a vet tech. But her love for animals and grooming never left her. While studying veterinary medicine, Bella had also worked as a grooming assistant, where she first discovered how much she loved the craft. Later, while working as a groom tech at Pet Supplies Plus, that passion was reignited.
Through Paragon, Bella has found what she describes as the missing piece of her heart again. She has embraced the hands-on learning experience, worked closely with her mentor, and continued developing her technical skills. Her dedication and attention to detail have earned her recognition as a Paragon Rising Star.
Her mentor, Brittney Burns, shares:
“I have nominated Bella for Rising Star because she really stands out as a student. She pays very close attention to detail and has been working hard to improve her technique throughout the Bladed-All portion of the program. Her dedication and commitment to improving her skills truly shine through!”
Why did you choose dog grooming as a career?
Since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of working with animals. I started out my career with animals as a Vet Tech and did that for about four years before I tragically lost my soul dog, Velvet, to lymphoma. After losing her so suddenly, I unfortunately could no longer be a Vet Tech due to her loss, and I felt like a piece of my heart was missing.
While I was in school for veterinary medicine, I was working as a grooming assistant and fell in love with grooming. I carried that passion with me throughout my veterinary medicine career. After my time in veterinary medicine, I had the lovely opportunity to start working for Pet Supplies Plus as a groom tech. During my time there, it reignited my passion for grooming, and I feel like I have found the missing piece of my heart again.
I get to have the amazing opportunity to make dogs feel and look amazing, and that has been such a huge blessing in my life.
What did you enjoy most during your coursework?
I have enjoyed the entire learning process through Paragon. I get to have the amazing opportunity to learn from amazingly talented groomers. My mentor has been a wonderful help during my learning process. I have been enjoying all the feedback and helpful tips. My favorite part has been the hands-on learning process that this amazing program has given me.
Where can we see your work?
You can follow my grooming journey on Instagram at @velvetpawsbybella. I started the account so I can keep track of my progress and show off the grooms I have completed.
What are your future goals?
My future goals are to continuously learn and practice my technical skills and hopefully eventually become a master groomer. Maybe someday I can help teach someone starting out just like me.
Any advice for aspiring groomers?
Grooming takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it is incredibly rewarding. It is truly an amazing feeling to be able to transform an animal in a matter of hours and sometimes even change their lives with the work that we do. The reward of gaining a dog’s trust and earning its love is unmeasurable.