A little history.
The Isle of Wight Dog Grooming Centre, owned by Donna Clinch, opened its doors in November 2007 with just one member of staff. Within 3 months the business thrived and became so successful Donna took on another full time dog groomer.
Over the next 6 months it became apparent that more staff were needed owing to the huge popularity of the Centre, resulting in a further 5 members of staff being employed including a college student who i s now being actively trained by the senior staff.
The centre is now so successful and popular, it is necessary to open the salon in the evenings - the staff can often be found grooming dogs until 10 o'clock at night! Weekend openings are also now a regular occurrence.
The centre has a huge client base, full of happy customers who wouldn't have their dog groomed anywhere else.
Meet the team
Donna Clinch / Proprietor -
Donna Clinch was just 12 years old when she decided that she would become a professional dog groomer. She began her full time training at the age of 16 becoming the youngest ever member of the British Dog Groomers Association. When Donna was 25, she took the City and Guilds 7750 practical and written Exams, both of these, she passed with flying colours! Donna was awarded the Vocational Assessor Award in Dog grooming in 1998, and holds the Member Institute for Animal Care Education (MIACE) Qualification.
In 1987 Donna was asked to undertake the care and trimming for ten toy poodles belonging to magic act and illusionists Mark and Joan Raffles, whom Donna accompanied and prepared the little dogs for their stage and TV appearances, where they were filmed with Paul Daniels. The little poodles were very much loved and enjoyed their shows! In the late 80’s Donna was showing her Toy Poodle Tizer (Vanitonia Canna Tizer) and achieved her dream of a Crufts qualification. Donna is an expert in the trimming of all breeds of dog, mastering the special techniques that make her excell as a canine beautician. Donna fulfilled her dream of opening her own salon in 2007 working alongside friends and colleagues Bobby and Lindsey.
Donna brings absolute commitment to the work of Dog Grooming and welfare caring for dogs and their owners. Donna now owns a beautiful white Standard poodle, Angelina who is normally to be found in her armchair in the salon keeping an eye on things!! Donna has bred 2 gorgeous litters of standard poodles, who are now all regular clients, brought to us by there loving owners.
Donna is hoping to take the Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming as soon as she can. Although finding time for this is proving tricky due to the constant flow of clients to the salon!
Bobbi Jacobs / Manager -
Bobbie Jacobs grew up with otter hounds, wolfhounds and German shepherds so from a very young age knew she wanted to involve herself in the canine industry. She started work, straight from school, at a top Irish wolfhound and greyhound kennel in Wiltshire.
She stayed at the kennel for two years, right up until she was asked to join the Isle Of Wight RSPCA at the age of 18.
At the RSPCA Bobbie worked very closely with all types of dogs and cruelty cases and took even more of an interest. At the age of 21 she became the manageress of the establishment and oversaw the day to day running of it for 12 years.
After her time at the RSPCA she left to work and train with Donna Clinch; and has now been grooming with Donna for the last 14 years.
Bobbie now manages the Isle Of Wight Dog Grooming Centre on behalf of Donna and thoroughly loves her job. She also gets to go home to her 3 beautiful dogs; Millie and Joe the Miniature Long Haired Dachshunds and Grace, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen.
As well as Bobbie’s hands on experience with dogs she also took a practical dog behaviourist course at Sparsholt College.
Bobby is a lively member of the team, whose professional attitude and unstoppable sense of humour keeps a fantastic working atmosphere in the salon.
Charlotte Davis / Groomer & Administration -
Charlotte is head of finishing touches in the salon! She has been grooming dogs for over 10 years from when she was at school during the holidays right up until the present day.
Charlotte particularly enjoys trimming feet and nails, giving the dogs a great pedicure! As well as the clients teeth and ears which receive special attention from Charlotte.
Charlotte also keeps the rest of the team organised with her administration skills, making sure all the financial information and customers records are stored correctly and neatly. Charlotte plays an important part with reception duties and booking the clients in, as well as greeting the clients with a warm smile.
Charlottes own lovely dog, Stella, a Staffordshire bull terrier is usually found pottering around the salon!
Lindsey Cunningham / Canine Stylist -
Lindsey has been a professional dog groomer for over 17 years. She had always dreamed of becoming a dog groomer since the age of about 10, and used to help out in a dog parlour on Saturdays up until she left school. Lindsey was then lucky enough to be offered a place to train as a dog groomer, to be trained by Donna Clinch, where she spent many years learning all aspects of grooming. She also spent every spare moment working at the RSPCA kennels with Bobby. She became the manager of a dog grooming salon for four years and since then has been grooming privately until coming to work here at the IW Dog Grooming Centre in 2007.
Lindsey’s biggest passion is for Bichon Frise which she has owned and bred for over 20 years, and her main hobby is showing them. She currently owns two Bichon Frise, Oscar, and his brother Geordi. She has been showing Oscar since he was was a puppy – his first show was UK Toydog Championship show where he won 1st place and qualified for Crufts 2008 at 8 months old.
| Since then he has been placed at every show he’s been to including multiple first places at Championship, Open, Limit and Breed club shows, Reserve Best in Show awards and 3rd place at Crufts 2008. More recently Oscar was shown at Crufts 2009 in the Post Graduate class in which he won First place. The following month he went on to win Best in Show at the Isle of Wight Canine Associations Open Show. Oscars preparation for shows takes a lot of care, time and precise scissoring to get his winning look which is carried out by Lindsey here at the centre. Lindsey hopes to continue showing with the addition of another bichon frise to the family! |
Natasha Wilson / Trainee Groomer -
Our student, Natasha or ‘Tash’ as she prefers, started at the salon in April 2008. She was studying at the local Isle of Wight College and has since achieved a Level 3 BTEC National Award in Animal Management, in which she was awarded a double merit. Because of her love for dogs Tash was keen to explore the world of dog grooming. We have now taken Tash on full time, training with us in dog grooming, we are hoping to get her to her City and Guilds qualification this year. Tash also accompanies us to all the dog shows and demonstrations we attend, providing help and support. She will be attending grooming seminars with the rest of the team during the year. Tash also has a keen interest in dog behaviour and is hoping to take an educational course on this subject. Tash enjoys every aspect of the grooming business and her enthusiasm, thirst for learning and bubbly nature makes her a refreshing member of the team.
Keziah Hayles/ Student -
Keziah or "Kizzy" is also a student at the Isle of Wight College and comes in to help us out at weekends, college holidays and evenings. Kizzy started off with us on work experience from school aged just 14, before starting on her college course.
Kizzy’s main role in the salon is the bathing and drying of the dogs, she has a wonderful rapport with the clients and is very particular about bathing a dog properly! She takes a real pride in her work and her love and enthusiasm for the dogs is clear to see.
Kizzy will hopefully be beginning her training in earnest in dog grooming towards the end of the year
Kizzy provides valuable support for the main staff as well as Head of hugs and cuddles!!
