Lis
Salon Owner
Certified Master Groomer
Years Grooming: Since 2004, showing dogs since 12 years old
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Owner/Operator since opening day September 2015
Pets at home: 5 collies, 2 Standard Poodles, 1 Black Russian Terrier, 1 Bedlington, 1 Scottie, 1 little mutt and 2 cats
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: Loves to hand scissor, especially Poodles
Accolades: National Certified Master Groomer, Groom Team USA Member, National and International Award-Winning Stylist, Conducts Seminars nationwide
Interesting Fact: Lived all over the country as a child because her mom did travel nursing. Settled in Wisconsin at age 10.
LETTER FROM THE OWNER
If you asked me in 2015 when I opened the doors to Serenity Pet spa what I saw for the future, I couldn’t have imagined such an amazing result. It’s taken a lot of study and a bit of hardship but I have built a grooming salon that’s not only designed for the safety and comfort of you pets, but also for the comfort and happiness of your groomer. This combination creates the ideal situation to bring the best grooming experience forward. I’ve spared no expense on top-of-the-line equipment to make the job easier on my groomers and less stressful for you pet. I strive to create an environment where my groomers are able to expand and grow as individual stylists while enjoying the teamwork and camaraderie that is very hard to find in such high stress careers. By allowing an open and welcoming environment, my groomers are better able to provide you pet with the best care possible. We are a family and treat every dog coming through our door like one of our own. We will laugh with you over their silly antics and cry with you when they fall ill. We are not just groomers, we are family.
Lis De Souza
Jackie
Salon Manager
Certified Master Groomer
Years Grooming: Grooming show dogs since the age of 9, started full time grooming in 2001
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Started April 2017
Pets at Home: 2 collies, 1 precious old lady pit/dalmatian, 1 bearded dragon
Hometown: Elgin, IL and then Due West, SC
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: great with shy, nervous dogs. LOVES setters!
Accolades: NCMG, multiple award-winning stylist, member of State Grooming Team 2018/19
Interesting Fact: Grew up in South Carolina raising, grooming and showing setters with her Grandma
Caitlyn
Certified Master Groomer
Years Grooming: Started in 2009
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Since August 2017
Pets at Home: 1 bedlington, 1 squishy mutt and 1 naughty kitty
Hometown: Green Bay, WI
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: Terrier extraordinaire! Loves Bedlingtons the most!
Accolades: NCMG, Member Wi State Grooming Team 2018/19, Won over open level competitors at her first competition, nominated for Up and Coming Groomer of the Year 2019
Interesting Fact: Grew up working with her dad at a wildlife refuge raising wolves, birds of prey and other wild animals. She’s a treasure trove of animal intel!
Shi
Master Apprentice
Years Grooming: Started full time grooming in 2018
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Started as a bather in 2016 and then became an apprentice groomer in 2017. Full time grooming in 2018.
Pets at Home: 2 toy poodles
Hometown: Waunakee, WI
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: Great eye for Asian fusion styles and loves to get creative with color!
Accolades: Master certified in Non Sporting, won best first timer and 2nd place at her first competition
Interesting Fact: Loves anime and attends conventions every year. Wants to compete in creative competitions in the future
Jessica
Master Apprentice
Years Grooming: Full Time grooming in 2018
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Started as a bather apprentice in 2017
Pets at Home: 1 pit bull and 1 pit mix
Hometown: Port Orange, FL
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: Great with the large breeds, also expanding her knowledge on rustic coats, cords and flocks
Accolades: Master Certified in Sporting Breeds, won 3rd place at her first grooming competition
Interesting Fact: Lis found her working at Menards while buying dog kennels, she started the next week! She is also the fixer of most things that break in the shop, especially the vacuum.
Heather
Master Apprentice
Years Grooming: Since 2003
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Started in July 2018
Pets at Home: 1 pekingese, 1 pug mix and a kitty
Hometown: Rancho Cucamongo, CA
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: Amazing skills with old and anxious dogs, teddy bear face master
Accolades: Master Certified Non-Sporting, alternate for WI State Grooming Team 2019, 2nd place at her first competition
Interesting Fact: Wanted a change from sunny California and willingly chose Wisconsin because she was so excited for snow, her Dad had to rush ship her a winter coat for her first Christmas. She’s not sure how much she really likes the snow after all.
Sommer
Master Apprentice
Years Grooming: Groomed her own show dogs since she was 18 years old. Pet grooming since February 2019
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: February 2019
Pets at Home: 1 bedlington and 1 standard poodle
Hometown: Green Bay, WI
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: She is great with breed standard and show cuts
Accolades: Master certified in Non sporting and sporting, showed and finished her own AKC Bichon Frise, multiple award winning in only a year of competing
Interesting Fact: Spent 4 years working for a nationally acclaimed professional dog show handler learning lots of tricks of the trade. Now shows her own Standard Poodle
Andrea
Master Apprentice
Years Grooming: Bather since 2002, started grooming in 2004
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Started June 2019
Pets at Home: 1 doberman, 1 german shepherd, 2 Australian shepherds, 1 cattle dog, 1 bitty baby Belgian malinois
Hometown: Waupaca WI
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: Really enjoys grooming double coats, she says blow outs are therapeutic and satisfying!
Accolades: Master Certified sporting breeds, shows her Australian shepherds in AKC, has Master Agility Titles and International protection organization titles on her dogs.
Interesting Fact: Her Dad bred and raised Labradors for hunting trials that she helped with growing up. Her first grooming job was with a Belgian sheepdog and schipperke breeder/handler.
Tabby
Master Apprentice
Years Grooming: Completed Grooming School in 2017
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Started September 2020
Pets at Home: Adonis the Bedlington, Seymore the pit bull. She also has a Thoroughbred horse named King
Hometown: Glen Ellyn, IL
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: Currently mentoring with one of the top Bedlington breeders in the country. Is excited for all the new opportunities to learn new breeds here at Serenity
Accolades: Mulitple titles on her dogs in Agility, dock diving, obedience, rally and trick dog! Just started showing in Conformation and already got her first points!
Interesting Fact: Also a professional certified dog trainer specializing in behavior modification!
Nancy
Receptionist
Years Grooming: 0, she’s a retired RN here for the snuggles!
Time at Serenity Pet Spa: Started as a client in 2016 and became our receptionist in 2017
Pets at Home: 2 Scottish terriers
Hometown: Grand Forks, ND
Special Skills & Favorite Breeds: Scotties, getting us bandaged up when we cut ourselves with scissors!
Accolades: Maintaining groomer sanity, having the best Christmas decorations and the most Scottie memorabilia in the state if not the nation!
Interesting Fact: She is a retired paramedic and taught many of the current paramedics around Madison. She also works many sport events as the nurse on call.