Groomer keeps dogs happy in 'puppy salon'

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) Tail Trends owner Tricia Pippett just finished grooming Cricket who was ready to have her picture taken with her new do. The new grooming business shares space at the Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in Le Mars. [Click to enlarge]

Tails wag with happiness as dogs get their pampering trim from Tricia Pippett, owner of Tail Trends, a new dog grooming business in Le Mars.

Pippett opened her business Dec. 1, sharing space at Town and Country Veterinary Clinic, but has been doing grooming in Le Mars for 10 years.

Pippett was employed as a vet assistant and groomer during her years at Town and Country Vet Clinic.

"I've always loved animals," Pippett said, who came to Le Mars after a brief stint as a groomer in Sioux Center.

She learned a lot in her time with the vet clinic before deciding to start her own business.

With that decision made, Pippett worked with Town and County Vet Clinic owner Dr. John Conley to remodel the south end of the vet clinic for the grooming business.

"I like to think it looks like a puppy salon," Pippett said.

Being in the same building as the vet clinic gives pet owners a one-stop shop for grooming and medical needs for their dogs.

"It's nice to have the groom and vet combo in one trip," she said.

Many of the dogs she grooms started with Pippett as puppies.

"It's a very comfortable environment for them," Pippett said. "Now the dogs get excited to come in when their owner says 'Lets go see Trish.'"

Pippett said grooming pets is a fun and very fulfilling job.

"I'm expecting a busy summer," said Pippett.

She's also planning to hire another groomer.

Away from her grooming duties, Pippett enjoys spending time with her family, husband, Mike and stepdaughter, Hannah, 6.