Thinking About a Career Working With Animals? Carl Found His Path in the Grooming Salon

For people who love animals, the question often isn’t whether they want to work with pets—it’s how. For Carl, a Professional Dog Bather at PetSmart, the answer started with stepping into the grooming salon and discovering just how rewarding hands-on work with pets can be.

Discovering the Salon

When Carl began working in PetSmart’s grooming salon, he expected to learn the basics of bathing and caring for dogs. What he didn’t expect was how quickly the role would become something he connected with. Carl says,

“Working as a professional bather has shown me a side of animal care that I didn’t expect to connect with so deeply,”

As a Professional Dog Bather, Carl works with dogs of all breeds and personalities, helping them look and feel their best while supporting pet parents throughout the grooming experience. Over time, he began building relationships with returning clients—including puppy parents who request him specifically for future appointments.

“That trust has been incredibly rewarding,” he says. Moments like that helped Carl realize the impact salon associates can have on both pets and their families.

Small details have made the experience feel even more meaningful. Seeing his photo on the salon wall, handing out his own business cards, and wearing a uniform with his name on it helped Carl feel a new sense of pride in his work.

“It makes me feel professionally independent in a way that’s new to me. It feels like my work, my skills, and my responsibility.”

Learning the Craft

Working in the salon has also opened the door to learning new skills every day. Carl has been able to build confidence through hands-on experience with pets—learning about different breeds, practicing bathing techniques, and understanding how to help dogs feel comfortable throughout the grooming process. Just as important has been the team around him.

“I truly love my coworkers. This environment has helped me understand what I value most in my work.”

Working alongside experienced salon associates has allowed him to keep learning, ask questions, and continue developing his skills with the support of his team.

The Dog Who Inspired the Journey

Carl’s love for animal care started at home with his Chihuahua, Lucci. Lucci originally sparked Carl’s interest in working with animals and continues to play a special role in his journey today. Recently, Carl gave Lucci a bath and trimmed her nails at home using the techniques he’s learned in the salon. Carl says,

“She’s one of the reasons I started pursuing a career working with animals. Now she’s getting a taste of my new career path in our bathtub at home."

Looking Ahead in the Salon

Carl is now excited about the next step in his grooming journey: attending PetSmart’s Grooming Academy and becoming a Pet Stylist in Training.

PetSmart's Grooming Academy provides paid, hands-on training where associates build advanced grooming skills while working with hundreds of dogs. Many salon professionals begin their careers as bathers, building foundational experience before advancing through the grooming career path. For Carl, the opportunity to continue growing his skills is something he’s looking forward to.

With each appointment, he continues building the confidence and experience that can lead to becoming a professional pet stylist.

Starting Your Own Journey

Carl knows that many people who love animals aren’t always sure which career path to pursue. His advice is simple: keep exploring opportunities and follow the work that feels meaningful. He shares,

“If you love animals and feel unsure about which direction to take, t’s okay to explore different paths and see where they lead.”

For Carl, working in the grooming salon has been an opportunity to build skills, connect with pet parents, and grow his confidence while caring for animals he loves.

And like many salon associates, his journey is just getting started.