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About Us
Who am I?
I’m Daniella, I’m a mum, a wife and a dog guardian. My journey into dog grooming started after we adopted my first dog Maximus. Maximus was an 18 month collie cross, and I had all these dreams and aspirations of being the world’s greatest dog owner. We were going to train together, travel the country. I brought all the toys and beds, I brought the best leads and harnesses, researched the best food, all in the name of perfection.
What I didn’t anticipate, was this beautiful boy had big emotions. He was scared of so many things and wasn’t able to manage his stressors very well. He had never been taught how to relax or think independently. He relied on my instruction so much, that when his nervous system kicked in he wasn’t able to concentrate on me, it left him panic stricken, unable to know what to do next.
I kept trying to “fix” the problem, desperate for a quick solution. I tried so hard to make him that dog I’d dreamed of when we first brought him home. It took years (more years than I care to admit to) before I realised that I had to let go of that idealisation I had in my head. It took driving all the way back to Evesham ready to hand him over for me to realise, it wasn’t Max who needed to change. It was me.
I stopped trying to force him into my perception of what having a dog should be, and instead embraced the dog that he was. This was my greatest teaching and has led me to wear I am today.
What makes Woody's different?
When studying to become a groomer so that Max had one less trigger to deal with, there were quite a few things that didn't sit right with me. I saw more and more dogs who were struggling in a traditional set up with nowhere else to go. I wanted to change that.
I completed my Level 2 City and Guilds qualification and then made the decision to become one of the very first graduates of the Holistic Grooming Academy. I went onto to complete my level 1 DAATA grooming qualification, attended numerous webinars, seminars and day courses on grooming, canine training, behaviour and husbandry.
I've appeared live on social media spreading the message of holistic grooming with Canine Arthritis Management, the Happy Henry's Woof You podcast and with ClipIt grooming.
I am constantly learning, and plan on continuing to do so too - as you should never stop being a student of your trade. Things change constantly and it’s important to stay up to date. Most recently I have networked with Canine Arthritis Management, Jim Mackie (Animal training and Behaviour Officer at ZSL), Andrew Hale and worked with Dr Amber Batson - all in aid of furthering my education and offering the best I can do the dogs in my care.
Why Woody?
Woody was my first dog. He was a rescue from Dogs Trust who joined our family at just 10 weeks old.
Woody was the kindest dog you could ever meet, a gentle boy with the most beautiful eyes you could imagine.
Sadly on the 13 October 2013 at the age of 12 Woody passed away. He was such a big part of our family that loosing him was one of the hardest thing's we've ever been through.
I vowed that day that I would do all I could to keep his memory alive, and so Woody's is dedicated to him.