Meet Paragon Certified Pet Groomer Aislyn Rhoden: Striving for Excellence Every Step of the Way
Meet Paragon Certified Pet Groomer Aislyn Rhoden! Based in Marion, Ohio, Aislyn discovered her passion for grooming while working as a kennel technician at a boarding facility. When she began assisting the facility’s groomer with bathing dogs, she quickly realized how much she enjoyed the work, the attention to detail, and the transformation that comes from creating a clean, polished groom.
Through Paragon’s Certified Pet Groomer program, Aislyn has continued developing her skills while embracing feedback, practicing new techniques, and pushing herself to improve. Her dedication to mastering each skill, rather than simply completing the coursework, has made her a standout student and a true Rising Star.
Her mentor, Liz Thompson, shares:
“Aislyn has been a wonderful example of what it means to strive for excellence throughout the grooming program. While working on the Stylized Legs skill in Level 2, she has already produced two dogs that have been approved and are ready for submission. Rather than stopping there, she’s chosen to continue practicing on additional dogs to further refine her techniques and strengthen her consistency before moving forward.
This commitment speaks volumes about her dedication to learning. Aislyn isn’t focused solely on completing the program—she’s focused on mastering the skills. She actively seeks opportunities to improve, welcomes feedback, and uses each practice groom as a chance to build greater confidence and precision.
Her strong work ethic, growth mindset, and desire to continually elevate the quality of her grooming make her a well-deserving Rising Star.”
Why did you choose dog grooming as a career?
I worked as a kennel tech at a boarding facility, and during that time I was also able to assist my manager, who was also the groomer, in bathing dogs when she needed help. It really showed me how much I enjoyed the work and the attention to detail needed to get a nice, clean dog! I decided to try to pursue dog grooming after, and I don’t regret it one bit.
What did you enjoy most during your coursework?
I enjoyed the constant encouragement throughout the program from my mentor! She did a wonderful job at ensuring my photos were submittable and giving me advice throughout.
Where can we see your work?
I currently work at Pet Supplies Plus in Marion, Ohio, and my grooms are frequently posted on their Facebook page!
What are your future goals?
I hope to be able to get into some fun creative grooming in the future, as well as continue growing my knowledge.
Any advice for aspiring groomers?
Make sure to talk to your mentors and peers. They have a lot of advice that really does work!