InTouch with Southern Kentucky August 2020 | Page 8

For us, it’s not just about grooming. It’s about them
knowing that grooming is an everyday part of life.
Kim Ping
Happy Dogs Co-Owner
While their business was closed, Kim and
Karli took daily calls from clients who had
questions or concerns.
“Even though we were closed, I answered
phones on a regular basis,” Kim said.
One of the biggest problems clients dealt
with was matting of their pets’ fur. They were
also experiencing problems that come with
untrimmed nails – and dogs who suffered from
allergies were missing their weekly oat baths.
“All of our clients come every two weeks,
four weeks, six weeks or eight weeks on a
regular basis, so many of them missed several
appointments during the shutdown,” Kim
noted.
The business was finally allowed to reopen
in May, and Kim and Karli got to work catching
up on missed appointments.
“It was stressful,” Kim said. “We were
working six days a week, 12-hour days, so we
could be caught up by the end of July.”
Some pets were so matted that hematomas
formed on their ears and they had skin
irritations or even skin “deterioration,” Kim
said. Others had become so hairy in what
groomers call the “sani areas” that they were
developing urinary tract infections and having
trouble with bowel movements. Pets were
also coming in with sore, irritated eyes, nails
growing into the paw pads, and fleas.
While Happy Dogs Grooming was shut down,
the owners kept their Facebook page active
with videos and tips to help their clients deal
with some of the issues they would be facing
on their own.
“We make our own videos so clients can
truly understand what to do and how to do it,”
Kim said.
Of course, Kim hopes they won’t ever have
to shut down again, but if they do, they will
continue the practice of sharing tips and tricks
online for their clients.
“Clients can always call or text us during
a shut down for any help we can offer,” she
added.
Happy Dogs groomer/owner Karli Ping is a
graduate of Nash Academy Grooming School.
Co-owner/mom Kim Ping does “a little bit of
everything to keep the show rolling,” she said.
Kim’s son Kaleb is also involved in the family
business.
“Kaleb helps out with bathing and socializing
the pups to make sure they have a good time,”
Kim said.
“For us, it’s not just about grooming. It’s
about them knowing that grooming is an
everyday part of life. So we avoid kennels
if possible. Socializing the pups is very
important when possible. They all get run
around time and one-on-one play time with
us and other pups before and after grooming.
This makes them want to come back.”
Due to the hecticness caused by the
shutdown, the Pings realized some extra help
would be beneficial.
“Happy Dogs has decided to bring in a
new groomer,” Kim announced. “Her name is
Kasey Williams. She’s an outstanding young
lady, and we are so excited to add her to the
Happy Dogs clan. She will come in August
2020 to learn her way through the shop
while attending grooming school, and then in
October, she will become a full-time groomer.
This will allow us to take on more clients and
help other groom shops if another shut down
should occur.”
Happy Dogs Grooming is located at 361
Langdon Street in Somerset. The “full service,
stress free grooming salon” offers nail
trimming, bathing packages, spaw packages,
and upgraded grooming packages. Make an
appointment by calling 606-416-1339.
8 • In Touch with Southern Kentucky AUGUST 2020