I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare industry and that I wanted to help people.  In 2011 I passed my board exams and began working as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I worked in skilled care, performing treatments for patients suffering from neurological traumas, age related deficits and falls/fractures, and performed aquatic therapy. I also maintained a status as a credentialed clinical instructor for local students, providing a site for clinical rotations. It was a way for me to give back, but I also found that it was a new way for me to learn as well. I loved my work and seeing functionality return to people. When COVID hit, my life changed. It became impossible to achieve a livable work/life balance, and I experienced major burnout.  Something had to give. My wife runs a mobile grooming business that she loves and noticed a need in the community for more groomers. We discussed expanding the business, and I made the decision to step down from my full-time position as a therapist. My love of animals and the desire to see them treated with the care they deserve, made it an easy transition. I grew up in a household with dogs and cats, and learned to ride horses at an early age. In college I studied animal anatomy which has been useful with the transition to working with animals. We have found that many of our clients have dogs and cats that are living increasingly longer and that with grooming, they can suffer anxiety and also be at risk for trauma or medical emergencies. Cuts can occur requiring immediate first aid, dogs with cardiac risks are present and can require intervention at any moment. Knowing first aid/CPR is a staple for our business and our employees and although it was easy for me to transition again because of my background with AHA BLS training, it is not always easy for individuals to maintain hands on knowledge of certifications as we do not always use them daily. I look forward to providing that education to individuals who require the knowledge or those who simply want to be more active in their pets care. These are our furry family members and our friends, and it is necessary care to know. Students who are paraprofessionals/professionals in the pet care industry will want/need to be up-to-date and solid in their skillset, ready to act responsibly in the event of an emergency and to know that the knowledge base is firm and easily understandable.