Shelter dogs often appear “damaged” or not as appealing to other dogs.
So this man is doing something to change all that…
…one hair cut at a time!.
“I have seen such transformations in almost all the dogs and it is so uplifting and I KNOW they will pay that love forward to their future forever homes,” said Mark Imhof. He gives the dogs at Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) free baths and haircuts!
Mark didn’t begin his career as a groomer. He has his MBA from New York University and was just finishing a consulting job when his fiancée suggested a change be good. “She didn’t want to see me go for another soulless job, and she saw the joy I had when I interacted with our animals,” says Imhof.
Erin O’Sullivan of Susie’s Senior Dogs where they previously adopted two dogs, was an inspiration for him to get into the grooming business.
He made his decision and enrolled in the American Academy of Pet Grooming!
He remembered when him and his fiancée adopted their dogs how dirty their shelter dogs had been, so a light bulb went off! He groomed the dogs at the ACC for free, with the hope that the additional TLC would help them not only look better but also feel better.
Sean was his first shelter dog, and when they brought him to me, he said he was on unadoptable list because of behavior issues . “Imhof asked, if we were to mat your hair, and then ask you to go do a job, you would probably have behavior issues too. So I worked through and he became the most adorable guy.””
Today Imhof has his own dog-walking, pet-sitting and grooming business, he still continues to help the dogs at ACC! He now has a family of four, including two rescued pit bulls to groom at home!
Meet Hersey, he most recent client.
Hershey was rescued by ACC were he was neglected and abused. He was traumatized and difficult to groom at times but I had help from the ACC to complete his grooming and he became totally adorable.
Imhof has proved that when they are groomed and loved they over come being shy and scared most of the time. When they look good they feel good, just as we do!
Then they are a whole new dog!
To see more transformations on Imhof’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and you can get more information about his dog-walking, pet-sitting and grooming services on his website.
Please click and share with your loved ones and fellow animal lovers!
