The Origin
Why this exists
I co-founded a grooming franchise that grew to 24 locations. I have owned salons since I was 23. I have spent years working hands on with dogs and their people, and after all of that, I truly believe our industry is ready for something more.
Over the years I realized something. Groomers are often the first people to notice when something feels off. We notice the anxious dogs, the itchy dogs, the dogs who are suddenly shedding more, panting more, licking more, slowing down, acting different, or just not quite themselves. And so many times, clients tell us things in the grooming salon before they tell anyone else.
At the same time, the pet industry is growing fast. Spending is up. Pet parents expect more and are looking for more personalized, supportive care for their animals. But there is still a gap. A gap between what pet owners notice at home, what groomers see on the table, and what actually makes it into a veterinary appointment.
That does not mean groomers should replace veterinary care. We absolutely should not.
It does mean there is a need for more education, more observation, more support, and more everyday wellness conversations happening in a way that is responsible and scope safe. That is really where this idea started.
After years of working with dogs, listening to owners, studying Ayurveda, integrative wellness, animal naturopathy, and now continuing my education in integrative and functional nutrition, I wanted to create something that gave groomers a bigger role in the wellness conversation, without diagnosing, treating, or pretending to be vets.
But I also wanted to create something that helped groomers and salon owners run their businesses in a better, more organized, more elevated way. Because this industry needs more than another random add on. We need systems. We need education. We need better client communication. We need ways to offer more value without overwhelming our already busy teams.
That is why I created Era Animal Wellness.
Kim Srisark, MS
