Paige Houlton

As a groomer, I ensure dogs have routine grooms to promote their health and well-being, and work with various breeds with different characteristics, suiting grooming and handling techniques based on each individual dog, and prioritising their welfare throughout appointments. Additionally, I make sure to clean down the salon to promote good hygiene, and a safe, comfortable working environment, along with properly sterilising equipment and tools after using them on various dogs. I also have my certificate in canine first aid, ensuring that I am well educated in situations where a dog would need medical attention. As the grooming salon I work at is also a kennels/cattery, I often help out the other staff members with dog walking, cleaning, and occasionally in their dog daycare facility.

I am a self-taught portrait artist, and I made hand-drawn pet sketches for customers. I ensure that I communicate with customers to gather information, to make sure that their drawing is bespoke and resembles their beloved pets as closely as possible. I advertise my work through my own marketing on various social media platforms to promote my drawings, and reach audiences. I have developed loyal customers by completing projects on time and to their specifications, to leave clients satisfied with their custom pet piece. I enjoy having the privilege of turning my hobby into a small business, ensuring I bring a smile to people, and let my creativity flow.

I volunteered at this charity, helping to care for the various farm animals on site, ensuring they were kept clean, fed the animals according to their specific dietary requirements, and given fresh water at all times. During my time, I mostly assisted other staff in looking after the animals, and carried out routine health checks, making sure that all the animals were healthy. I ensured that tools and equipment were disinfected, and I kept the working environment clean and safe.