Hi, I’m Andrea Sloan, a pet groomer with 11 years of experience. I grew up in Anderson, Indiana, with my dad, a firefighter, and his trained fire dog, Freckles. Freckles was not just a safety dog but a beloved companion. We always had a dog at home, fueling my love for animals. My first job after high school was with special needs kids at a children’s home in Arcadia, Indiana. I earned certificates as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Qualified Medication Aide. This sparked my interest in healthcare, leading me to work as a unit clerk at Community Hospital for five years, where I developed strong relationships with physicians.
I also married my high school sweetheart and had my first son in those five years. I am still happily married with two adult sons, Brandon, 26, and Jacob, 31. I have two dogs, Bailey, an American cocker spaniel, and Dalmatian Camey. After five years in the hospital, I worked for four neurologists, starting at the front desk and earning my way up to billing and coding for the following 16 years. Medicine changed so much, and I started losing my passion for an office setting. It was no longer about patient care and the families. It became more about money and numbers. The drama and uncontrolled environment were weighing on my mental and physical health. It was time for a change. I gave my notice to the doctors and found a school for dog grooming. I then started to change my life and career in the pet industry. From here is history. It was so new, scary, and exciting all at the same time. I followed my heart, yet left a comfortable income position and did not know how or if I could make this career work. I love dogs, and my heart was becoming full. During this time of instruction and classes, I first learned of Pet Tech First Aid and CPR for pets. I have kept up with my certification and now own my salon. I also have attended and helped with several classes, taking employees to become certified. Today, I am beginning my Master Groomer certification and earning my PetTech certificate to become a teacher, certifying not only my employees but also general pet parents and groups of the general public.