Rising Star and Groom Tech Grad: Here's How Successful Grooming Careers Begin
Meet Rising Star and Groom Tech Grad Maddie Jensen of Pet Supplies Plus in Denton, Texas! Maddie is a very focused, goal-oriented learner with a deep-rooted passion for helping animals look and feel their best. If her care and attention to detail in the Groom Tech Program are any indication, she’s well on her way to a very successful grooming career!
Just ask her mentor Jen McCarthy, who tells us, “Maddie was a model student! She messaged to get clarification on anything she wasn’t sure of. She got great grades on both her coursework as well as her photo submission tests. She took feedback well with a focus to always get the job done better. She also showed compassion and care for the dogs that she worked with.”
Why did you choose dog grooming as a career?
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with a close family friend who I call Aunt Donna. She was and still is a well respected dog breeder with the AKC and now primarily focuses on breeding and training service dogs. From a very young age, I helped her with litters of puppies, at dog shows, and with training new dogs, and even got a job working for her in high school as a kennel attendant. Needless to say, Donna had a huge impact on me growing up, and I have always loved dogs and animals.
I thought I would ultimately be working with animals in my career. However, in high school, I had a change of heart and applied to colleges for engineering, graduating in 2020 with a chemical engineering degree. I worked as an engineer for nearly 3 years, but found myself very unhappy and unfulfilled. With the support of my partner of 5 years, I left my job and started searching for a new career.
When I came across the opportunity to start working as a groomer, I was skeptical at first, because I was hoping to find a new job that still put my degree to use. However, I decided to give it a try, and after the first few days it felt like a natural fit. For the first time I was feeling excited to start my day at work rather than dreading it.
All my experience growing up, and also caring for my own dogs has been extremely valuable. Until recently I actually had a rough coat collie named Gus, who sadly passed in 2022 at the age of 14. But he was the sweetest, gentlest boy, and I did all his grooming myself the entire time we had him, except for special occasion visits to the groomers. Every day at work reminds me of taking care of my old man Gus, and it is very fulfilling to get to share my own knowledge and experience with clients and help better the lives of their pets at home.
What did you enjoy most during your coursework?
I enjoy getting to see the before and after pictures of clients, especially ones in real need of a bath! My favorite part of the coursework was getting to learn the proper techniques for using each grooming tool. I had so many brushes that I hated before learning I was using them completely wrong, and now some of them are my favorites 🙂
Where can we see your work?
I am not on social media currently however some of my work may be featured on the social media pages for my store, the Denton, TX Pet Supplies Plus. We are on Facebook and Instagram.
Any advice for aspiring groomers?
I try to make the first step in every one of my appointments to become friends with the dog. I give them pets and treats and get to know them before starting any of the grooming (ideally before even putting them in a kennel, but that is not always an option). I want them to be excited to see me before getting anything started, or at least be trusting, because it makes it much easier to sooth them if they become stressed. It is also a good opportunity to feel the dog and identify if they are sensitive anywhere or if they have any abnormalities and just do a general physical exam of the dog.