RHONDA TONN
Owner/Senior Stylist
How many pets do you have?: 3 dogs, 1 cat, 7 budgies
How long have you been working at STC?: Since opening December 12, 2012
How long have you been in the Grooming industry? 15 years
How long have you been working with animals in general? 21 years
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? How can we choose just one?! Diego my chihuahua that you most often hear barking and carrying on from my office is my #1 guy. He has the personality of rottweiler having a bad day and the cuddles of the sweetest baby puppy. Confliction is his middle name. He has Addison's Disease which keeps me on my toes trying to keep him de-stressed to avoid death. Anyone heard of a NOT stressed Chihuahua? It's a joy hearing my kids dote on him and try to keep him de-stressed. He definitely fills a huge space in my life, especially for this small size.
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? I get the greatest satisfaction from working with and building closeness with elderly or emotionally challenged dogs. Building bonds with pets where the bond has been broken is the most satisfying part of my career. Every dog deserves tenderness and patience. "Turning fear into fabulous" isn't just a coined phrase here, we live it and it's my favorite thing.
What is your favorite breed to work with? I love grooming every breed, but have a special place in my grooming heart for any breed where an owner has chosen a trim with a scissored leg. I suppose that's a cheater way of answering this question, but it's not so much about breed for me, but the trim that I get to play with.
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? The most challenging part about working with animals is often educating the Pet Parents on their pet's challenges and why they are struggling the way they do. Sometimes it's the most rewarding and other times it can be heart-breaking. It's hard to watch a dog struggle, VERY hard. Knowing what time investment it will take from a dedicated Pet Parent to turn things around and having the dog leave wondering if they will receive the help and support they need is hard on the heart. It's the driving force behind our NO JUDGEMENT approach though. When people feel judged it breaks down relationships, we want to build relationships based on collaboration, education and support.
What do you do in your spare time? As an adoptive mom of 4 amazing kids, I'm busy from morning until my eyes finally close. I don't really know what "spare time" means! I remember the days before kids when running a business was my only passion, now my whole life is my passion 24/7. My husband and I love to spend our "non working hours" with our kids and pets. Our crew of 6 (plus pets) loves Sunday visits to Sandilands hiking and spending time in the bush with the dogs when time allows for it. Cooking, baking, yardwork, bike rides, visiting family and just being together brings me such joy and is just daily life. Watching them and guiding them as grow into their strong, resilient, adventurous and compassionate selves is the only thing I need in this world! I LOVE MY LIFE!
SHERISSA TANASICIUK
POSITION: Senior Stylist
How many pets do you have?: 2 dogs and 1 cat
How long have you been working at STC?: 5.5 years
How long have you been grooming professionally? 14 years
How long have you been working with animals in general? 14 years
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? My Pug/ShihTzu, Mooky. She's always come to work with me and in her younger years she'd be quick to defend my honor from any dog that would give me a hard time. She would start jumping up at the table barking like it was her duty to protect me.
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? That there is NEVER a dull moment!
What is your favorite breed to work with? The naughty ShihTzu's.
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? It's hard to see a dog have a hard time with grooming. Not all dogs appreciate the entire process and I wish that they could understand that we as Groomers AND owners have their best interest at heart!
What do you do in your spare time? Spending time with my family outdoors.
TANIA KONKIN
POSITION: SENIOR STYLIST
How many pets do you have?: 1 dog
How long have you been working at STC?: 2+ years
How long have you been grooming professionally? 24 years
How long have you been working with animals in general? 25 years
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? My dog Lakota was the SWEETEST Golden Retriever. She always had a toy in her mouth to say "Hello" when greeting you.
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? Being there for them in their time of need. Bonding and building a relationship with them brings so much purpose to what I do.
What is your favorite breed to work with? Golden Retriever's, Pomeranian's, and Schnauzer's
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? When a pet comes in that has strong opinions and/or is nervous. It makes it difficult to work with them. If only we could convince them we're there to help them feel better!
What do you do in your spare time? Play with my children and go to my family cottage. I love to spend time with my family!
MARIIA BUDILOVSKA
POSITION: STYLIST
COMING SOON!
CLARISSA BRANDT
POSITION: STYLIST
COMING SOON!
JOAN COUTURE
POSITION: SALON ASSISTANT
How many pets do you have?: none at this time
How long have you been working at STC?: 6 months
How long have you been grooming professionally? 20 years
How long have you been working with animals in general? 50 years
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? Tessa a German Shepherd. She was so intelligent! She lived 14 years. She was so much a part of our family! Such a BIG heard, but tough as nails; one of a kind. .
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? Animals are absolutely intriguing - every one has it's own charachter. It's figuring them out that is fun!
What is your favorite breed to work with? Schnauzers
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? Seeing animals neglected. Whether it's with grooming, food or attention.
What do you do in your spare time? I love being at our camper. Watching the goings-on with the birds, having a fire and having people stop in to visit.
PAYTON FUNK
POSITION: Prep-Tech/Junior Groomer
How many pets do you have?: 1 dog
How long have you been working at STC?: 10 months
How long have you been working with animals in general? 10 months
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? My current Mr.Man, Oliver has my heart and mind. My favorite memory would be the day I got him and the ride home. He sat by my feet on the car floor; he would NEVER fit now.
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? Seeing all the different personalities the dogs have!
What is your favorite breed to work with? Weiner dogs
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? Aggressive dogs definitely take extra time, understanding, focus and patience. Learning how they instinctually operate can be a challenge
What do you do in your spare time? In the summertime I love being by the water or walking a trail. Come winter I'm bundled in bed with movies!
ERIKA RESENDES
POSITION: Prep-Tech/Junior Groomer
How many pets do you have?: 2 cats and 1 puppy
How long have you been working at STC?: 1 year
How long have you been working with animals in general? 1 year
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? My cat, Buttercup. I had thought she was a girl but was actually a fixed male! I found him on a train track in the winter. His favorite snack is canned corn.
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? All of the different personalities that come in.
What is your favorite breed to work with? It's a tie between Miniature Poodles and Spaniels. I LOVE that poodles are like big fluff balls with eyes
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? Working with the dogs that like to hit
What do you do in your spare time? I like to take naps with my cats. We can always be lazy together.
IVY PEDERSON
POSITION: PREP-TECH
How many pets do you have?: 1 dog
How long have you been working at STC?: 3 months
How long have you been working with animals in general? 9 years
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? Sweet Pea, my dog. I will always remember the day she discovered that she could blow bubbles in the water using her nose!
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? Seeing all of the amazing personalities of the dogs that come to visit us!
What is your favorite breed to work with? Labrador Retrievers
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? Saying goodbye to them at the end of my shift.
What do you do in your spare time? I help with my sister's baby and I scroll through the internet looking at dogs for fun.
MYLA LETKEMAN
POSITION: Receptionist
How many pets do you have?: 2 pets. 1 LH Chihuahua named Tito and our adorable chubby cat named Leo
How long have you been working at STC?: 1 year
How long have you been working with animals in general? 3 months
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? Growing up, my Opa had a hobby farm. We had horses, ponies, rabbits and chickens, but my favorite was my sheep, Buttercup. She was tame and would follow me around and I even would take her trick-or-treating at Halloween!
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? The excitement when we bring them out to their owner with a new haircut!
What is your favorite breed to work with? The gentle GIANTS! All the mountain dogs, Great Pyrenees etc. Not quite as Giant, but I love the Golden Retrievers too.
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? Aggressive animals can be tough, but the girls here have taught me a lot along the way on how to make it a bit easier.
What do you do in your spare time? I love spending time with my daughter and my husband. We love travelling and are disney freaks! We are always saving up for that next disney vacay!
REESE DYCK - (maternity leave)
POSITION: RECEPTION/SOCIAL MEDIA CO-ORDINATOR
How many pets do you have?: 3 dogs
How long have you been working at STC?: 1.5 years
How long have you been working with animals in general? 8 years
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? My Chiweenie, Shilo! When she used to come to work with me one time, I came back up front from getting a dog for their owner. Their kids were laying under my reception desk and giving her cuddles! Cutest thing EVER!
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? They always keep us on our toes!
What is your favorite breed to work with? I will always love a Dachshund or a Pittie
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? Having to make difficult, but compassionate decisions
What do you do in your spare time? I am a Certified Lash Technician and I love it! Seeing people's faces light up when they see their lashes warms my heart!
MACKENZIE NICOLAS - (maternity leave)
PREP-TECH
How many pets do you have?: 6
How long have you been working at STC?: 5 months
How long have you been working with animals in general? 2 years
Who was/is your most memorable pet that you owned? Marley: We found him on the road during my birthday weekend. His tail always moved and hit everything in its path!
What is your favorite thing about working with animals? They are GREAT at listening to your problems!
What is your favorite breed to work with? I like Pitbulls and other Bulldog breeds in general because they are cute with a smooth coat that is easy to manage.
What is the hardest thing about working with animals? They can be quite stubborn because they don't understand us.
What do you do in your spare time? I like reading and writing poems, stories and songs. I find it easier to express things in pencil rather than with my voice.