Landscaper | Pet Groomer

GLORIA DANIELS PET GROOMER

FOURWAYS VETERINARY CLINIC/PARLOUR

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THIS PATH? I chose pet grooming as a career because I am passionate about working with people and animals. I’ve loved animals since I was a child.

IF YOU HAVE A MORE UNUSUAL CAREER, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO I not only groom cats and dogs in our parlour, but also rabbits and occasionally guinea pigs!

PURRFECT PET PARLOUR

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE? I trained with Alison at The Dog’s Whiskers, based in Valyland Centre. It’s the most popular dog parlour in Fish Hoek, so the training was top notch.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Hectic! The first animal comes in at 8:30am. I wash or brush them and then they go into a cage to dry, while I get started with the next one. After an hour, depending on the size of the pet, I would finish off the first one and let the customer know their fur baby (or some people bring in more than one at a time) is ready for collection. I get an average of six pets coming in per day. The day ends with cleaning up the “office” and equipment, ready for the next day.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A PET GROOMER? I love what I do! It brings me so much pleasure when the fur babies walk out of the parlour looking all clean and polished, and their parents are happy with the new look. I find my work therapeutic, if you can call it that.

YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE PART? When people see a photo on the internet of a pet grooming style and ask if I can replicate it with a different breed. Most people don’t understand that dogs don’t all have the same hair texture. A Poodle’s hairstyle will not look the same on their Yorkie, for example. I have to explain to them that it’s not possible, and some people get disappointed.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Not all customers will be happy with the outcome, even though I have delivered my best. Some pets need short cuts due to their fur being heavily matted or due to skin disease. Styling can only occur after treatment and regrowth of a healthy coat.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? I was recommended by a customer to new clients that were from England. I felt privileged to apply my skills on a foreign breed, and they were satisfied with the result. I delivered on the challenge with flying colours.

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I would love to own and run my own parlour one day.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Experience is actually even more important than formal training. I’ve been doing this for 15 years now, and still get dogs that test my experience and skills.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? It requires a lot of care and patience. You must be an animal lover and a cheerful person. Dogs are very sensitive and can respond to how you are feeling, and sometimes, they will act on it.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Fun, challenging and good-business.

MARK KRETZMANN LANDSCAPER

OWNER AT LIVINGSCAPES

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE LANDSCAPING? I’ve had an affinity with and appreciation of nature from a young age. That and the creative aspect involved in design work is what drew me to the profession. In a way, choosing landscaping created a balance between working with nature, while still having all the cultural and social benefits offered by city living. Though, that aspect means less to me these days. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I did a National Diploma in Horticulture at Cape Tech and a Bachelor of Science, majoring in botany and environmental science, at UCT.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Meeting with the staff in the morning; ensuring that the correct tools and materials are loaded for a particular project. I spend a few hours on site(s) to make sure that everyone knows their tasks for the day. The rest of the day is taken up with sourcing materials, either physically or via email, design work, and meetings regarding upcoming projects. I return to site later in the day to review productivity and make any adjustments needed.

DESIGNING WITH NATURE

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? The potential to design with plants. Using nature’s own colours, textures, shapes, fragrances and seasonal variations is inspiring. I’m still like a child in a sweet shop every time I visit a nursery. The creative aspect of design is also rewarding, when translated from theory to practical installation.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Standing in dog poo! Seriously though, it’s demanding at times, but I think that relates more to the responsibilities that come with owning a business, rather than the profession itself.

HURDLES YOU’VE OVERCOME? To be assertive when the occasion demands – both with staff and clients – although I always do my best to keep a client happy within the allocated budget. The management aspect is a role I didn’t foresee.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? Working for some top clients over the years, where the design concept has dictated the budget, rather than the norm of designing within a budget. A landscaper’s dream situation. I’ve had some memorable experiences: working on two game farms, and spending 18 months working in the Seychelles.

FUTURE GOALS? To design full time and outsource the installation aspect. As far as installations go, I’d like to shift the focus more to natural restoration and rehabilitation work.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? There are a number of self-taught landscapers who have been very successful. A Diploma in Horticulture, however, gives a good grounding.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? People who like to be outdoors! People skills are important, for managing staff and maintaining good communication with clients. The ability to think practically is also important, both on the design and installation level.