Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/284382
C M Y K 6 WINNIPEGFREEPRESS,SATURDAY,MARCH22,2014 MORDEN By David Square For the Free Press M ICHELLE BUDZ PICKED UP HER FIRST PAIR OF HAIR CLIPPERS 17 YEARS AGO, AND PETS IN THE PEMBINA VALLEY HAVE BEEN SITTING PRETTY EVER SINCE. "I love animals, especially dogs," says Budz, owner of Town n' Country Grooming & Pet Supplies in Morden. Along with supplying grooming services, Budz runs a dog day care, and her shop on Stephen Street is packed with pet fashions, toys, treats and supplies. But pampered pets aren't the only animals that have reaped benefits since Budz started running the business out of her garage in 1996. "It all started when I found an abandoned dog chained to a tree," she says. She gave that dog, Buddy, a loving home. And over the next 13 years she took in more than 350 other dogs and found homes for them in Morden and other areas. The most cruel case she encountered was that of a dog who had been shaved bald and thrown into a dumpster in mid-winter to freeze to death. After rescuing the animal, Budz decided to reach out to the community to build an animal shelter for strays and abused animals. With the help of volunteers — including Michelle Frost, Josh Barkley, Bob Conner, Pam Weiss, Crystal Sawatsky, Ang Toews, Jerry Dykman and Allan Titchkosky — the Pembina Valley Humane Society opened Oct. 31, 2009. A former nurse's aide, Budz initially wanted to work at home so she could be with her young child. She learned the ropes from the original owner of Town n' Country Grooming and bought the business name and client list. Her father renovated Budz's garage, adding a wash tub, grooming tables, cupboard space and a patio door that opened to the backyard, so dogs could run while they waited for their owners to pick them up. "I was 28 at the time and had never operated a business. But my father really believed in me," Budz says, adding he instilled the confidence she needed to move ahead with the project. Twelve years later, the business had grown to the point where she needed to expand to a commercial space. Her father had died from a cancer a few years earlier, but she says she felt his spiritual presence during the renovation of the building at 239 Stephen St. Her whole family pitched in: Uncle Larry plumbed the bathroom and laid new flooring. Budz's brother, Stephen Enns, a journeyman electrician, rewired the building and her husband painted the walls, trim and ceiling. The shop features a reception area, plenty of display shelves and picture windows that allow natural light to flood the interior. A divider wall separates the retail space from the grooming area with its wash tubs, nail clippers, scissors, electric clippers, hair dryers and various shampoos, conditioners and scents. "We offer full-service treatments for dogs, cats and, yes, rabbits and guinea pigs," Budz says. Tiffany Penner, receptionist, product buyer and salesperson, says a full treatment costs about $50 for small dogs and up to $110 for a large breed such as a Newfoundland dog. It includes a bath with shampoo, conditioning, nail clipping and nail polish, as well as a stylish hair cut and general assessment of the animal's health. Penner, who has worked with Budz for about five years, assists with brushing out and cleaning animals' ears. She's responsible for the day- care program in which dogs are free to run and play in an area behind the shop for a fee of $15 for a full day, $10 for a half day, and $5 for shorter periods. Town n' Country will sponsor Penner in an ICS Canada dog obedience training program that begins in March to help fulfil her ambition to become a professional dog obedience trainer. Another full-time employee, Christina Bremner, has worked with Budz for about six years, starting as an assistant after she graduated from Garden Valley Collegiate, where she took a pet care course. Bremner has completed the first of four training levels needed to earn a professional dog groomer certificate. "The course is demanding because certifiers are sent to all the provinces to ensure that a high level of grooming is maintained nationwide," Bremner says, adding students must be able to trim purebred dogs to recognized standards. Budz, who has completed many professional courses, is still intent on improving conditions for animals in the area. "I'd like to teach my profession to people interested in opening their own grooming businesses," she says. "I'm also thinking about opening a pet park in Morden where dogs can play together in an organized and safe environment."❚ had never y father dz says, nfidence ad with ness had needed space. cancer ays she during ng at 239 pitched bathroom brother, yman lding the ion ves llow erior. retail ea with scissors, yers and itioners ments for nd guinea product s a full for small rge breed ncludes oning, nail well as a essment $10 for a half day, and $5 for shorter periods. Town n' Country will sponsor Penner in an ICS Canada dog obedience training program that begins in March to help fulfil her ambition completed the first of four training levels needed to earn a professional Budz, who professional cou improving cond the area. "I'd like to tea people interes own grooming "I'm also thinki pet park in Mo play together in environment. HAIR DOG MORDENGROOMERISAPET'SBESTFRIEND R Along with supplying grooming services, Budz runs a dog day care, and her shop on Stephen Street is packed with pet fashions, toys, treats and supplies. Brush job: Budz loves clients like Roxy and dachshund Mina. Photos by David Square. BILL VANDERVEEN Phone 204.745.7989 bill@vdvpromo.ca Box1148 Fax 204.745.6108 www.vdvpromo.ca CarmanMB R0G0J0 June6:HeritageDay Aug. 29 & 30: Reunion Days See website for full lineup of events! 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