BY ADELE CASNOVA

Would having a caring and knowledgeable pet groomer come into to your home and offer your pet a fear-free grooming experience be a dream come true? That experience is now a reality in the Winston-Salem area with Teddy Bear Trims Dog Grooming.  Sydney Eley has created this new business in order to offer dogs comfortable, luxurious, low-stress, in-home grooming.

Sydney Eley has always known she would one day work with animals. Growing up in a home filled with well-loved pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters and even horses, prepared Sydney for a career in caring for animals. Sydney grew up homeschooled by parents who were role models for independence as small business owners. She saw in her parents, not only the rewards of hard work and commitment, but also the freedom and independence that comes with being one’s own boss.

When Sydney reached the point of choosing a college to attend, she concluded, after reviewing 8 college choices and several scholarships, that the path to owning her own pet grooming business was not through college courses, but rather through an intense thirteen-week course in dog grooming at Rockingham Community College under Master Dog Groomer, Jeannie Oakes. Sydney also attended extra lessons in specific dog grooming cuts, and she specializes in the Teddy Bear cut. Sydney has completed the Fear Free Groomer Certification Program, which ensures her ability to make the grooming experience as enjoyable as possible for every dog, helping each dog to come to love, not fear, the grooming experience.

Sydney is excited to be now offering her house call, low-stress grooming service. “I have always loved bathing and grooming dogs, and it is gratifying to be able to offer that service in the dog’s home environment where stress and fear can be reduced, and the grooming experience actually be fun for the dog,” says Sydney. She brings everything needed, including high-quality equipment such as her grooming table, blow dryer, and vacuum. Sydney uses all-natural products in bathing and grooming dogs. When finished, Sydney provides a thorough clean-up for the convenience of the homeowner.

Teddy Bear Grooms has a wide variety of clientele including people too busy to get their dogs to the groomer, and older clients who have trouble traveling outside the home to attend to their pets’ grooming needs. Sydney makes the grooming experience low-stress for the dogs with crate free grooming. This is especially important for high strung dogs and older dogs who do not fare well physically if restricted to a crate for long periods of time. “Dogs really enjoy the one-on-one grooming experience in the familiar environment of their own home. I can establish familiarity and trust with the dog and relax the animal to actually enjoy the groom,” states Sydney. Dog owners often enjoy watching the grooming experience and can feel part of the event. One recent client commented, “You did an outstanding job! Hands down the best cuts and experience our dogs have ever had getting groomed.”

In addition to being an expert dog groomer, Sydney is also an artist. She paints, crochets and sews. She puts these talents to work to enhance her pet grooming service. Sydney provides each dog with a complimentary, colorful hand sewn collar, adding creative flair to the groom. Sydney also paints pet portraits, something she loves doing as she sees it as a personal celebration of her love for animals.

Sydney’s future goals include one day opening a dog grooming salon where she can continue to offer crate free, low-stress grooming. She would continue with her house call grooming as well, so as to serve the clients and dogs most in need of the home grooming experience.

If you would like your dogs to enjoy this luxury, low-stress house call grooming experience, you can each Teddy Bear Trims Dog Grooming by calling or texting 336-692-4690. Please follow Teddy Bear Trims on Facebook at facebook.com/TeddyBearTrims and on Instagram @Teddy Bear Trims. Teddy Bear Trims Grooming services clients in Winston-Salem, Lewisville, Clemmons, Pfafftown and Mt. Airy, and is a fully insured business.