Winner of the"Compassionate Groomer Award"  in 2001, Melissa continues to attend educational seminars and compete yearly. After thirteen years in the grooming industry she continues to learn and stay abreast of the latest information about companion animal care available.  Her talents include grooming both dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes.  She is a proud wife and mother of two children, owner of four dogs and two cats.  Life is never dull.  Specializing in puppy's first groom and senior pets.  

Please join me in welcoming Corey Heenan to TransFURmations!  Corey is an accomplished groomer with 13 years experience and a graduate of The Paragon School of Pet Grooming.   Considered one of, if not the, top grooming schools in the country. Not only is Corey an exceptional groomer but she is a professional show handler and has been breeding and showing Whippets for 20 years.  Corey has competed numerous times in grooming shows with Springer Spaniels and a Kerry Blue Terrier and has been awarded one second place, two first place and one Best In Show.   Corey will be available for morning and afternoon appointments.

The inspiration for TransFURmations came from a seminar I attented in the fall.  I happened to strike up a conversation with another groomer who also was mobile.  After listening to how much she loved it and how she was so busy she had to turn new clients away, I started to seriously think about making the move to mobile grooming .  At the time I was working in a lovely grooming salon with my mom and I asked her for her own thoughts on the matter.  She thought the idea was terrific and had complete faith that I could make it work.  I told my very supportive and wonderful boss that I was thinking of making a move and she gave me even more encouragement.

A night on the computer led me to finding a mobile unit for sale that was perfect for me.  It was exactly what I was looking for and it was within a five hour drive.   I started emailing the current owner and we discussed me driving out to buy her rig.  In the meantime my mom and I had decided that this was going to be a joint venture for the two of us.  My mom and I had already been working together and we did it so well it just made sense for the two of us to do this together.  I think it's a little less scary to take such a big leap when you have someone jumping with you, especially when it's your mom.  I made the decision on the rig and my mom and I packed our bags and drove to Pennsylvania on December 2, 2007.  It was the first time in a long time it had just been the two of us and we had a lot of fun on the way down, not to mention getting hopelessly lost for quite some time.

We purchased the mobile unit on December 3, 2007 and drove through a blinding blizzard most of the way through the Pennsylvania mountains to get home.  I think my mom was even more excited about our new business venture than I was.  She was bubbling over and so happy.  Her faith in me was unwavering, even when I had doubts.

On December 11, just a week after we purchased the grooming van and drove it home, my mom passed away very unexpectedly.  The shock and grief over the loss was overwhelming and for a while I did not think TransFURmations would ever go any further.  I could not imagine doing it without her, but as time went on I felt my mom nudging me to keep at it.  I found my excitement for my new business again and I started working towards the grand opening. 

In honor of my mom I have set the grand opening of TransFURmations Mobile Pet Spa for March 12, 2008, her birthday.  She would have been fifty-six this year.  It was her faith in me that made me know I could do this and it is for her that I continue.  I know she'll be watching me and smiling.  This is for you mom, I love you!

     
                                           

Pamela Paglierani

March 12, 1952-December 11, 2007