The Story Behind Ruffledale Pet Resort and Beyond...

In 2004, I opened the doors to a dream I didn’t even know I had until I met a dog that changed my life. Her name was Dakota

At the time, I had a degree in a completely different field and was managing a health club, preparing to open a gym. But no matter what my “plan” looked like on paper, my heart was somewhere else—specifically, with my dog. I adored her and hated being away from her, so I started dropping her off at doggie daycare. And that’s when it hit me.

**I wasn’t supposed to be running a gym. I was supposed to be working with dogs.**

Starting From Scratch (Literally)

At just 22 years old, I made the leap. I wrote my own business plan, walked it into the bank, got a loan, and started building what would become **Ruffledale Pet Resort and Paw Spa**. I didn’t have investors or business partners—I had a big dream, a lot of heart, and no backup plan.

I didn’t know much about running a business, and I definitely didn’t know what it meant to manage groups of dogs. My own pup had been an only dog. So suddenly managing group play, preventing fights, and figuring out how to properly structure a daycare was a whole new challenge. It was hard. And it was lonely. But I was determined.

I worked open to close to save on payroll. I had to figure out everything on my own—from the first time there was a fight, to the first time I realized I needed grooming services, to learning how to be a boss. I was poor for a long time, and exhausted even longer.

But I kept going.

Growth Fueled by Passion and People

What made Ruffledale thrive wasn’t just me—it was the team I built along the way. I hired people who loved dogs just as much as I did. We created a culture of trust, growth, and mutual respect. We worked hard, and it showed.

The real turning point came when I expanded the original location and brought in more groomers. That’s when Ruffledale truly *took off*. It went from being a little dream to a fully developed business that helped shape the local pet care industry.

Some of my first customers from 20 years ago are still with me today. And honestly, I still love them (and their dogs) like family.

The Ultimuttologist

Years later, when I brought in an investment group to expand even further, I found myself needing to train a large number of groomers quickly. And that’s when I discovered something really important:

**Even groomers with years of experience had serious gaps in their training.**

That realization sparked a fire in me. I had spent so many years teaching my team, refining systems, and pouring into their development. I had built training programs, learned from outside courses, and gained hands-on knowledge about dog behavior from working with group play for over two decades.

Eventually, it hit me—I had something to share. Something *bigger* than just one business. That’s when **The Ultimuttologist** was born.

Why This Platform is Different

The Ultimuttologist isn’t a textbook-style program filled with reading assignments and theory. Why? Because I’ve learned that most people in this field *don’t learn that way*. Groomers are visual, hands-on learners. They need real examples, practical tools, and systems that are easy to apply in real-world situations.

That’s why I’ve created visual PDFs, courses, and tools that speak the same language as groomers. Everything I teach has been tested, refined, and proven—because I’ve lived it. I’ve trained hundreds of employees with these systems, and I know they work.

I’m not here to gatekeep. I’m here to help.

Because here’s the truth: **there’s room for everyone in this industry to succeed.** When one groomer wins, we all rise. I believe in sharing what works, building each other up, and creating a standard of excellence in the grooming world that’s accessible, fun, and empowering.

---

Thanks for being here.** Whether you're just starting out, already grooming full-time, or running your own facility, you're in the right place. Welcome to *The Ultimuttologist*. Let’s grow together.