RHODY PETS: Pup

Paw it Forward

New owner continues legacy of care at Charlestown pet grooming business

A pup gets the spa treatment at PAWS Pet Grooming

RHODY PET OF THE MONTH: WINTER

By Karen Kalunian

It may be summer, but Winter is ready to go home with you! This beautiful girl was picked up by the shelter and no one ever claimed her, so now she’s in search of a loving forever home. Winter is a four-year-old mixed breed with a snow white coat and soulful chocolate brown eyes. She is smart, lovable, and looks forward to a new owner coming for her. Winter wants to be your one and only princess in a home with no other pets – and all the more cuddles for her! If you’re seeking a loving, loyal companion, Winter might be just the girl for you. Contact Warwick Animal Shelter at 401-468-4377 for more information or to schedule a time to meet Winter.

If you have been thinking of adopting or know of an animal in need, please contact Karen directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com

A few years ago David O’Connor would have dismissed dog grooming as a “boujie” indulgence. This booming industry only caught his eye when a groomer posted in a neighborhood group urgently needing a space to continue her work.

“I studied public community service at Providence College, so I was keen to help,” says O’Connor. “In my research I found Charlestown’s PAWS Pet Grooming was going to close after 13 years – I didn’t want their community legacy to end, so I became the new owner.”

Thirty-year-old O’Connor’s dedication to running a socially conscious business kept him o the payroll for three years; only recently did he begin to draw a salary. “During the pandemic I became aware of people being forced to choose between grooming their pet and feeding themselves, or skipping coat maintenance appointments resulting in painful matting for their dog,” he says. “We launched a pay-what-you-can program and one woman broke down crying in relief, while another chose to pay it forward, covering the full price of her dog’s grooming, and then contributing $20 to help the next person in need. I believe people are inherently generous, given the opportunity.” Not only does PAWS help clients and o er free grooming to local animal rescues, but the groomers also benefit from the process. “Many of the people drawn to this profession have overcome great challenges. Even an entry-level position as a bather has therapeutic properties. I also endeavor to create a calm, kind, inclusive work culture. People have enough stress in their own lives,” shares O’Connor, who wants to ensure their work environment isn’t a source of that stress.

O’Connor now has newfound respect for the industry and the dog-human bond. “For the past six years, my sister and I have been co-fostering a Pit Bull mix named Sidney,” he says. “She has her own fears and anxieties, but last winter when I was running an emergency homeless shelter, she o ered great comfort to