Jeana Ward, founder of Jeana's Dirty Dog salon, has been in the pet industry for 31 years. She's worked wih exotic animals, reptiles, birds, fish and is a 30 year veteran in the pet grooming business.

"My love for animals came naturally", says Jeana. "Both my parents are animal lovers. Animals have always been a huge part of my life. My mother would often make the mistake, when we asked for a new pet, of saying 'Go ask your father' . . . so we knew it was going to happen!"

When Jeana was 17, she was offered a work-study program at the local grooming shop. She got the job and was taught the art of grooming by Kay Bolling, a graduate of the New York School of Grooming. She was identified by her employees as a natural from the very start.

After 2 years of tutelage under Kay, Jeana found herself thrust into the Dog Show Circuit. "Back when I was learning how to groom, you rarely saw many of the breeds you see today. When I found myself working at a show kennel, I was exposed to not just Spaniels, Scotties, Poodles, Schnauzers and the usual breeds, but to the more uncommon breeds of dogs from around the world."

Although Jeana never went to Grooming School, she now teaches the Grooming business at Mount Ida College and runs an apprentice program for Mount Ida grooming students in her shop.

Upon interviewing Jeana's own Standard Poodle, Redford, and her cat Lenny, we learned that Jeana considers herself fortunate to have shared her life with the many canine and feline friends with whom she's lived. It's her love for animals that motivates the work she does with such skill, experience and artistry.

Jeana specializes in scissor work above all else. "I think I have a great relationship with not only my four-legged cusomers, but my two-legged customers as well." Ask many of her customers and you'll hear the words 'warm', caring' and 'friendly' as well as 'expert' and 'informative'.

Jeana's shop is full of staff she chooses for their professionalism, character, quality and enthusiasm. "And most of all", says Jeana, "how well they relate to cats and dogs".

"Most dogs love coming to my shop because it's kind of like a 'barber shop environment for dogs' - it's fun and social. Everyone gets time on the floor - if they play nice! We do have facilities for every kind of dog-personality, though. We offer cages as well as open stalls. We do quality work, we're reliable, and we go out of our way to make sure your pet is happy and comfortable."