Aces of Trades: Missy Mills shares her love of fur babies with Pampered Pooch clients
COSHOCTON – She loves people – and dogs.
“My parents told me when I was very young, I used to tell them I wanted to be a nurse or a ‘cash register girl’ when I grew up,” recalled Missy Mills. “I’ve always been a people person. I’ve always enjoyed talking to people and learning from others. Even as a young child my mom recollects that I was always very ‘social.’”
“It’s amazing that doing something with dogs wasn’t on the radar at that time or beyond,” she continued. “Looking back, it was so crystal clear and obvious the passion I had, and still do, for dogs and animals in general. I was an animal lover and even bigger dog lover. So many of my childhood pictures have our family dog sitting beside me or dressed up in clothes I had put on her. I was the youngest of 3 and while my brothers were in school, I had my dog, Shag, to be my best friend. We were inseparable. I don’t remember a time where a dog hasn’t been a huge part of my life.”
Today, Mills is a dog groomer and the owner of Pampered Pooch of Coshocton, LLC – who admittedly likes to give “a lot of loving to the fur babies.”
“This is not just a business to me, this is a passion,” Mills noted. “And if my love of it shows in my work, then I’m beyond happy. My business has truly thrived from word of mouth. My daughters are with me in my shop now, as they too realized the passion they have for this as well. What greater blessing than getting to be with your children and sharing a common love and bond for dogs. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Mills grew up in West Lafayette and graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1986. She then worked many years for a small, family-owned business.
“In 2007 the business closed,” she said, “and I decided this was my opportunity to finally do something that was really a passion and love. With the amazing support of my husband, family and friends, I found a grooming school I could do while still raising my family. A close family friend had a connection to a mentor who owned a large grooming facility in Lancaster. She graciously agreed to take me under her wing, and I did an internship with her for an extended period of time. It was the best combination of everything I needed and still leaves me in awe when I think about how everything fell into place. It was absolutely like it was all meant to be and I was, and still am, beyond grateful for every single bit of it. I started grooming for friends and family and realized this is what I was meant to do all along. I formed my LLC in 2008, purchased a commercial location on Main St. in Coshocton and opened there August 31, 2009.”
Caitlin Fox is a long-time client.
“Missy loves each and every dog she grooms like her own and she treats her clients like family,” assessed Fox. “Missy and her daughters take such pride in their craft, and they do an amazing job. I know our dogs are in great hands from the minute we drop them off to the minute they’re picked up – smelling good and wearing a seasonal scarf. Missy is truly a ray of light who has such a positive impact on those around her.”
“We’ve made the most wonderful friends and formed beautiful relationships with so many people through the years, through their dogs,” Mills responded. “People that I would have never met otherwise because of Pampered Pooch, are now lifetime friends. I am beyond grateful for all the support the community, Coshocton, and my family and friends have shown and given me through the years.”
“I always told my kids, ‘Figure out what you love, and make a living at that. You’ll never regret it, and you’ll love going to work,’” she concluded. “Life has its ups and downs, but it’s been so good to me. Dogs have an unconditional love like no other and we have the best job getting to love and care for every single one that comes through our door. The laughter we get from all the different personalities is priceless.”
Pampered Pooch is located at 105 Main St. in Coshocton. For more information, call 740-622-3649.
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at ctnews@coshoctontribune.com.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Missy Mills shares her love of fur babies with Pampered Pooch clients
