This is another blog about somebody following a lifelong dream. Phil Martin has always harboured an ambition to earn a living from caring for animals and becoming a dog groomer or as it was known then, a canine beautician.
During her school days Phil tried explaining this to her careers teacher in school, who provided plentiful information on becoming a beautician for humankind. This was back around 1986 and dog grooming was something that existed only in America. There was little or no information available on this career choice and there was no internet to refer to. Phil was left with little choice but to follow a more orthodox career path. After trying a number of jobs ranging from hairdressing to working in Vodafone, Phil settled down to a career with Irish Life but still had an eye on pursuing a career working for herself as a dog groomer.
Chance
She took every opportunity to look after friends' pets while on holiday and then a chance meeting with an old work colleague who had changed career, and who was now studying to be a veterinary nurse, encouraged Phil to take the first brave step toward her own career change.
Qualifications
Phil undertook courses in Animal Grooming and Canine First Aid and found part-time employment in a dog grooming parlour, while still being employed on a part-time basis with Irish Life. Along with her new qualifications came more and more work from friends and colleagues until finally Phil decided to leave her safe employment and become self employed full time.
We Groom - We Walk - We Sit
Phil now has a fully equipped grooming parlour at her home and she can cater to up to three animals per day. Each pet can take upwards of three hours to groom completely and her clients return regularly to keep their pets in top physical condition.
Phil has expanded her services to include dog walking and dog sitting. Many pet owners are constrained with other commitments and are not always in a position to walk their dogs, Phil will call to the homes and exercise dogs as required, helping keep the animals in good physical shape. She can also pet-sit in the animals own homes if requested.
She says, "I offer a service where the dog doesnt have to leave
his/her home. I call as many times as the client wants and do whatever
they want me to do, for instance they might want me to sit and watch tv
with the dog for a while just for the company or take the dog for a walk
or play with the dog, whatever the dog likes. I also would leave bins
out, open and close curtains, take in the post, give the house the lived
in look. With the dog walking, people get me to take their dog out for a
walk during the day when they are at work. Some clients have me walking
their dog every day during the week in the winter time because by the
time they come home from work it can be dark and they don't want to have
to go for a walk in the dark and the cold, so they can just spend time
with the dog at home instead".
Phil's Pet Services is another great example of ingenuity, where somebody has been able to make a living by creating a niche for themselves, doing something they are passionate about.
Contact
If this service is something you might be interested in, please do contact Phil by phone on 087-7511152 or you can find out more by clicking here and visiting Phil's Pet Services Facebook page.
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