Meet our Team

Kendra Otto, Owner

Kendra is a graduate from The Great Lakes Academy of Professional Pet Styling. She ranked in the top 10 in the country for 4 consecutive years on GroomTeam USA and ranked the Number 1 pet stylist in the state of IL for those 4 years. She has placed at every major grooming competition around the country and won multiple Best in Show/Best All Around Groomer awards; her other awards consist of: multiple Creative Styling awards, Artistic Innovation award, she was invited to participate in the Superzoo Jackpot Contest in Las Vegas where she placed 6th out of 20 in a class of 50. She was the recipient of the prestigious Liz Paul Scissoring Award, the Will Stone Memorial Award for kindness to animals. Kendra was also the first recipient of the Groomie Spirit Award, a nominee for 2009 Cardinal Crystal American Groomer of the Year; the 2011 and 2012 Cardinal Crystal Congeniality Award and 2013 Barkleigh Honors Award for Up and Coming Judge of the Year. She has placed in multiple Rescue Rodeos in Las Vegas and Atlanta. She also enjoys styling rare breeds and was the first competitor to bring the Hungarian Pumi in the grooming contest ring. Kendra is an International Pet Styling Consultant for the Andis Company teaching seminars, blogging tips for pet stylists and assists in the development of grooming products. She is a published author in Grooming Industry Magazines, teaches seminars and judges grooming competitions worldwide, is published via video through the learn2groomdogs.com website and Andis home grooming tools YouTube videos. She holds certifications through the following organizations: International Judges Association; United Show Managers Alliance; PetTech CPR and First Aid; National Dog Groomers Association of America; International Professional Groomers Association, is an American Kennel Club Safety Certified Groomer and a Certified Canine Esthetician. She served as the secretary and a board member for GroomTeam USA from 2011 to 2014. Kendra has appeared several times as a guest on the radio show called “Ask the Pet Vet” for WTMJ in Milwaukee, WI. and is also a host for Barkleigh Productions’ Groomertv.com, a live Ustream of grooming competitions throughout the USA. Kendra enjoys sharing her knowledge of specialized grooming & handling techniques such as hand scissoring, hand stripping, rustic coat maintenance, extreme makeovers, creative trims and deshedding short haired shedding breeds with her staff. Although Kendra has owned many pets to include Cats, Dogs, Reptiles, Birds, Guinea Pigs and Fish, she is currently owned by a Miniature Poodle named Sprocket.  

Christine -Pet Stylist

Christine started her career as a bather in 2005 to help pay for college. She ended up loving the industry so much, she wanted to learn more. So she decided to attend The Academy of Dog Grooming Arts and has been hooked ever since. She believes in continuing her education and since graduation, she’s taken online classes from Nash Academy, attended many hands-on workshops and trade show seminars through out the country. Since 2015, Christine has been competing at grooming shows both locally, around the United States and aspires to be on GroomTeam USA one day. She has won many awards in the regular classes and in Rescue Rodeo where the rescue dogs are available for adoption after the competition. She is certified in Pet 1st Aid and CPR certification through Pet Emergency Education and is working on her certification though the Professional Cat Groomers Association of America. Christine is owned by her Miniature Poodle named Ted; a Standard Poodle named Arya; a Toy Poodle named Bryan, an American Cocker Spaniel named Bubbles whom she has shown in conformation,  a Bichon Frise named Cesar and a Sphynx Cat named Cleo. Outside of grooming, she enjoys doing crafts, going to dog parks, traveling, and has a life goal to visit all 50 states.

Michelle -Pet Stylist

Michelle is Pet 1st Aid and CPR certified. Her photo and bio to come soon!  

Ping -Pet Stylist

Ping’s passion for animals began at an early age. She’s had 6 dogs, 11 cats, 8 hamsters, 4 turtles, countless goldfish and is currently owned by a Poodle mix named Million. She started off grooming her own dogs, then friends dogs, and from there she decided to turn the love of her hobby into a career! She is Pet 1st Aid & CPR certified through The Pet Emergency Academy and is a graduate of the Nanjing Jingdian Pet Grooming School, in China. She specializes in Asian Fusion Styles. Some of her greatest goals are to help dogs feel safe and look beautiful through her work. She finds it most rewarding when she gets to see how confident and happy they are when they go home. In her free time, she volunteers helping pets in need, runs marathons, and enjoys tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. 

Bernice-Reception

Bernice has a wide variety of experience that adds a great contribution to our team! She has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Governors State University; is pursuing a degree in mortuary science; works at a funeral home as Wake Attendant and holds certifications in Pet 1st Aid & CPR and as a Bather Brusher.

Bernice has been owned by animals for as long as she can remember. She’s had fish, lizards, hermit crabs, guinea pigs, rats, and a wide variety of birds. In fact, she and her father used to participate in the aviculture of parakeets.

Cassie-Bathing Assistant & Reception

 Cassie-found her passion for animals when she was 9 years old when she received a kitten for her birthday. She adores cats, dogs and ferrets, but most of all Angel, her now 14 year old kitty.

Mary-Bathing Assistant:

Mary has been strongly connected to animals as long as she can remember. In particular, she has a special connection to rabbits, and enjoys volunteering at a local rabbitry. Mary has over 10 years of experience caring for rabbits. She grew up with Labrador Retrievers; a miniature rex rabbit named Opal, and is currently owned by a Holland lop rabbit named Magnolia.

Mary has been fascinated by veterinary medicine and science since she was a child. She is currently a pre-veterinary medicine student and in addition to helping out at the salon, she enjoys working as a veterinary assistant at a local animal hospital! Her interests lie in small animals; exotics & companion animals and veterinary dermatology, after gaining so much experience at The Upscale Tail.

In her free time, Mary enjoys riding horses, drawing, playing ice hockey and lacrosse, volunteering at animal shelters, playing with Magnolia and picking up new grooming techniques that she can apply to the veterinary field one day.

Mary is Pet 1st Aid and CPR certified.