All Dogs Go to Pawsperity

Long-time clients tell us why they keep coming back

BY BARB PRUITT

Some are divas. Some are spoiled. Some are high maintenance. They are all loyal. And no matter the dog’s disposition, they are all welcome at Pawsperity Grooming School.

People who take their beloved pets to Pawsperity Grooming School know they are trusting the health and welfare of their dogs to groomers-in-training. They understand their appointment might take a little longer than a typical grooming session. They also know Pawsperity and its student groomers are not typical. They are members of their community.

Pawsperity clientele also are not typical. They are passionate about caring for their pets and supporting the organization’s mission. They, too, are part of the community.

Pawsperity also cares about its community. Residing on the Troost Avenue Corridor, which is in the midst of promising revitalization, makes it the only grooming service in the area, filling a much-needed gap for a neighborhood of pet lovers, many of whom are on fixed incomes. As a grooming school, Pawsperity is able to charge below-market prices.

“Many of our clients wouldn’t even get pets if not for access to affordable grooming,” said Lacey Adair, Director of Grooming at Pawsperity. “Some pets are emotional support for our clients and serve as more than a companion.”

For those clients who are not on a limited income, using Pawsperity’s services is their way of supporting the students – and the community. These clients will tell you getting outstanding service for their pups is a bonus.

Pawsperity is grateful for all its clients who are serving an integral role in their students’ career training. On average, Pawsperity students groom over 500 dogs per month, and it’s been steadily growing since the school opened in 2016.

We wanted to know what brings so many long-time clients back month after month, year after year. It’s not all about affordability.

Soothing Sage

Ask Cary Swafford about her customer service experience at Pawsperity, and she might cry. Not because she is unhappy with the service her 6-year-old Standard Poodle, Sage, receives at her monthly visits, but because the attention Sage gets is uncommonly kind and considerate. Cary jokes that it borders on favoritism.

“They’ve kept Sage in the kitchen ever since she accidentally cut her foot on a crate a couple of years ago,” Cary explained. The first time Sage returned to the groomer she was a bit skittish so the staff thought keeping her in the kitchen and around people would calm her, and it did.

“They are still putting her in the kitchen, and I cry every time I tell the story because they take such good care of her,” Cary said.

Cary is nearly 80 years old and on a limited income, so the lower cost of services makes a difference, too.

“Seniors like me need dogs, and the lower cost really helps,” she said. “I just hope there will be a place in the kitchen for Sage in the new building,” Cary jokes. Spoiling Ebony and Spike

Kandy Crawford does not apologize for spoiling her two dogs, Ebony and Spike.

Eleven-year-old Ebony is a Shih Tzu and Spike is a 6-year-old Shih Tzu and Jack Russell mix.

Ebony has been going to Pawsperity since it opened, and Spike soon after. Their monthly grooming is just part of their charmed lives.

“The groomers’ demeanor is very caring,” said Kandy. “Pawsperity just has a friendly atmosphere.”

Kandy knows the services cost less, but money isn’t the issue for her; it’s the service.

“Pawsperity staff know our dogs’ names and ours; a high-end place doesn’t have the same level of service,” she said. “Once I’m happy with a service, I will keep going. I just like the way my dogs look.”

Happy customers translate to word-ofmouth recommendations, the strongest form of marketing a business can have. “I refer a lot of people I know to Pawsperity,” Kandy said.

Moose and Fritz Find Common Ground

Moose and Fritz are vastly different mixed breeds and years apart in age. Moose is a 15-year-old female Point-adore, a mix between a Labrador Retriever and German Shorthair Pointer. Fritz is a male mix of Beagle and Cocker Spaniel and is about 11 years old. The only things the two dogs have in common are that they are both rescues, they both snore, and they both love Pawsperity.

“Many or our clients wouldn’t even get pets if not for access to affordable grooming,” said Lacey Adair, Director of Grooming at Pawsperity. “Some pets are emotional support for our clients and serve as more than a companion.”

Christina Johnson, a grooming instructor and graduate, holds Spike, a regular client.

”My dogs are ‘wash and wear’ – they don’t get cut – but the students learn to do more than ‘love and a bath,’” said Sarah Guthrie. “I’ve seen them do dogs with fancy cuts, too.”

Trimming skills are not what drew Sarah to Pawsperity. She has been an advocate since she first heard about its mission to help bring parents out of poverty by providing them with a means to make a livable income.

“I work with lots of nonprofits and see people get trained for low-paying jobs,” said Sarah. “When you have a job that’s in demand and respected like grooming, this is encouraging.”

Sarah decided the best way to support Pawsperity’s mission was to use their services. She’s been taking Moose and Fritz for their monthly grooming ever since.

Sarah also appreciates Pawsperity’s location. It’s not far from where Sarah and her family live, so it’s convenient. But more than that, its location is an asset to the community. “Having Pawsperity on Troost adds a dimension of hope to someone on a low income to have the enriching experience of having a dog,” Sarah said. “They do more than groom dogs. They make the community better.”

Worth the Wait for KC

A poor haircut and terrible service at another salon first sent Stephanie Henson and her dog, KC, to Pawsperity six years ago. Unfortunately, there was a waiting list for new clients at the time, so KC had to go to other groomers until a spot finally opened last year.

KC is a 6-year-old female chocolate Labradoodle who weighs in at 49 lbs. Her monthly wash and cut are an important part of her regimen, but the real draw for Stephanie was Pawsperity’s mission.

“I’m thrilled that we can support Pawsperity,” said Stephanie. “It’s growing and successful. I just hope we can continue to help them.” In recent months, Stephanie has been taking Ariel, her visiting mother-in-law’s 8-year-old Airdale Terrier, for her monthly bath.

“Ariel loves going there, and both dogs are happy,” said Stephanie. “Grooming can be stressful for dogs, but ours love it. We’ve never had a bad experience at Pawsperity.”

As a teaching facility, Stephanie knows mistakes might happen at times, but she takes it in stride. “I’m okay with grooming mistakes from students,” she said. “I don’t want to pay a professional full price and have mistakes. The students are learning. I know they are in good hands even if a cut is lopsided.”

Molly Goes for the Glam

You might call Molly a diva. She wouldn’t think of missing her monthly bath and brush at Pawsperity, and lately she’s been getting her nails painted.

“We let the groomers decide the colors,” said Sarah Uchytil, who adopted Molly in 2014. “They are very creative and usually tie the colors to current events, such as Pride month, Chiefs red and gold, etc.”

Molly is an 11-year-old Weimaraner who’s been going to Pawsperity since 2015, one year after she was adopted.

“We’ve had outstanding service and support over the years. That’s why we keep going back,” said Sarah.

Sarah never hesitated to take Molly to a grooming school. The lower cost of services is not a major factor in her decision.

“I support the mission and I believe in empowering men and women,” said Sarah. “That’s why we go.”

But it’s not just the mission that keeps Sarah coming back. “The groomers are always friendly and happy to see Molly,” Sarah said. “I feel like a valued customer, and they know what Molly needs every month.”

Something CUTE

is coming!

Pawsperity’s new pet care facility is opening in early 2023 at 58th and Troost! Join the waitlist today for our new grooming salon and doggie daycare!

Pawsperity, formerly known as The Grooming Project, is moving to a new location only two doors down from our current grooming school. We are expanding our pet care services beyond student grooms to include: • Pawsperity Grooming Salon, staffed by graduates of the school • Pawsperity Doggie Daycare, with curbside check-in

Learn more and be the first to make an appointment. Contact us to join our waitlist today!

� Call 816.214.5376 × 109 link Visit www.pawsperity.org � Email info@epeckc.org