Totally pettable

Summerland-area residents can have their pups pampered and cats coddled at a new grooming business, located at 325 Windom Street, in Orchard.

Orchard resident Kayla Smith owns Kay's Klips Pet Grooming. The Sioux City native earned a veterinary technician degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College. She brings four years of experience working in a veterinary clinic in LeMars, Iowa.

"Working there, I got a lot of experience with shave downs. I got seriously interested in grooming there."

Smith says the transition from tech to groomer seemed natural.

"I've always loved animals and I knew this would be something I wanted to do," she said.

Kay's Klips Pet Grooming offers a variety of services for canines and felines.

"I can do just baths for short-hair dogs."

Full grooming, including haircuts, is another option available. Nail trimming and ear cleaning, brush out and blow dry are included, according to Smith.

Since opening, she's groomed more than a dozen dogs, drawing customers from Crofton to Clearwater and everywhere in between.

At this point, she hasn't had a customer bring a feline in for a session, but she has grooming experience with her own cats, Chester and Hazel.

"I'm skilled with line cuts on cats," she said.

Bathing services usually last an hour and includes a conditioning treatment.

To dry an animal, Smith uses a high-velocity blow dryer, which takes awhile for some animals to get used to.

"I use a happy hoodie that goes over their head to muffle the noise and keep them calm," she said. "I definitely take my time."

Typically, she grooms one dog at a time, but she has had instances where she grooms two at once. A full groom generally lasts two hours, depending on the condition of the animal's coat.

Smith will work on any dog breed.

"I'm used to a wide vareity from a vet clinic aspect," she said.

Bringing a pet to a groomer is beneficial in several ways.

"Baths are important. It keeps the coat clean, They keep the coat clean. It prevents any skin infection, anything underlying. It really gets the dead skin cells out," she said. "Baths can help relieve that skin itch."

Nail trims keep a pet's feet healthy. When an animal is walking or running, it won't feel any pain.

Grooming takes weight off the animal. Puppies should be trimmed monthly until between six months and a year old.

"Their puppy coat grows so fast."

Depending on length of coat, adult dogs may be trimmed every six to eight weeks.

If you're brushing at home, appointments may be stretched to between eight and 10 weeks.

"They can move and play and just feel good. Like humans, they feel good when they get a haircut," Smith said.

At this point, Smith does not have products for sale, but she will make recommendations, if asked.

Smith shares photographs of her handiwork on her business's Facebook profile.

"I just love working with animals," she said.

For more information, contact Smith via Kay's Klips Facebook Page or call 712-635-5365.