REGULAR grooming is essential for maintaining your pet’s health and overall well-being, as it helps them live longer and ensures their basic grooming needs are met.

Deja Gordon of Deja’s Grooming Services has been steadily carving out a niche for herself by providing expert grooming services for pets. This passion evolved from her early love for animals.

“The inspiration for my career came from my childhood experiences caring for and nurturing my pets at home, which made my heart sing. Throughout high school, I leaned towards a career as a veterinarian and pursued a degree in veterinary science. However, obtaining a doctor of veterinary medicine degree abroad was financially unfeasible. As a result, I pivoted and started my dog grooming business with the degree I already had,” said Gordon.

She added: “Even though I can’t perform the tasks of a veterinarian, I’m glad to provide a service that supports their work.”

At last year’s inaugural True Pet Industry Awards, Gordon was named Groomer of the Year. The awards are part of the annual True Pet Expo.

Gordon expressed her excitement at receiving the accolade.

“It was truly a moment of happiness to see that people appreciate my work and want to see me succeed. This award boosted the credibility of my services and increased trust among my clients. It also provided valuable publicity,” Gordon said.

As a professional dog groomer, Gordon offers a range of services including full-body trimming and shaving, ear cleaning, nail clipping and filing, bathing and drying, and parasite checks. She also provides advice and assistance as needed, while building strong relationships with both pets and their owners.

Gordon shared what she enjoys about her job.

“I find the reactions of dogs before and after grooming hilarious. They might see me as one of the best people they’ve ever met, or one of the worst if they dislike grooming. Regardless, the relationship I have with them is rewarding.”

At 29, Gordon is married and the mother of a three-year-old daughter. She completed her studies at Jonathan Grant High School in St Catherine and continued her education at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland.

Gordon discussed challenges in her profession.

“One of the challenges I face is when dog owners don’t acclimate their pets to grooming from an early age. This makes my job harder, as unaccustomed pets can become difficult to handle, often making it challenging to complete the grooming process,” said Gordon.

The next True Pet Expo will take place on Sunday, October 13 at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas, where several individuals and businesses will be recognised during the True Pet Industry Awards.