I have been breeding and showing Standard Poodles for over 32 years and have been in the dog sport for nearly 40. My wife and I also owned a grooming salon prior to her retirement about 12 years ago. So, I figure I have done my share of grooming and know what constitutes a true professional and what doesn't.
I met Michelle at a grooming competition over 15 years ago when she was in the early stages of her grooming career. Since then, she has risen to the top of the grooming community, proving herself as one of the world's top groomers competing abroad at the zenith of her career. And if you don't believe it, when you enter her shop, you can look to the right and spy her trophies from all sorts of competitions, to include winning gold at the Intergroom shows in Europe. She's too humble to claim to be the best, but her record and reputation prove such to be.
She's also my handler, taking my dogs from puppy nothings to AKC Champions and Grand Champions, all the while charming them to do anything she asks. I even caught her on video in the ring reaching down to set a foot and kissing my girl Crystal (GCH/EGCG Aircastle Diamond's Reflection, D-CAT) on the nose.
To the one review who said she was "mean", all I can say is that they apparently have little experience with professionals. She and KC are neither mean rough, ill-tempered, nor in any way inappropriate with the dogs in their care, and the reaction of my dogs to her are proof of this. They love the both of them!
Not only would I highly recommend this shop for grooming...if you can get an appointment (another proof of their quality and professionalism)...but I entrust my precious pups in her care regularly, both to groom and to show. For these reasons, Michelle will always handle the Aircastle Standards for as long as I can convince her to take them in the ring. read more