Houndstooth here for animals

MILAN TWP. — Some individuals are "cat people." Others are "dog people." But for Gabby Boyce-Bedard, she's an all-pets person who cares for every animal equally. "I just connect with them. I can communicate with them," Boyce-Bedard said. "I just feel like animals are really comfortable around me, and I'm really comfortable around them." To further her lifelong admiration for animals, Boyce-Bedard and her husband, Collin Bedard, recently opened Houndstooth Professional Pet Services, 2502 Ohio 113, Milan. It's located near Edison High School. "It's nice working right across from our alma mater," said Bedard, a 2013 Edison High School graduate. Boyce-Bedard, meanwhile, graduated from the school a year later. An animal-first philosophy Boyce-Bedard, who earned her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Toledo, has worked in animal-based, education-related jobs for 11 years now. This would include a stint at African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, and she's still maintaining a part-time job at the Toledo Zoo. Before opening Houndstooth, she worked at this very building, previously called Northern Ohio Animal Healthcare. Boyce-Bedard and her husband bought the building from its prior owners, Drs. Aaron and Hannah Ison. Northern Ohio Animal Healthcare's other location in Sandusky remains open. Boyce-Bedard labeled the Isons as big inspirations, giving her the confidence and knowledge to open a business. "The Isons really allowed me to put the pets' needs first, and that's what I'm still doing today here," Boyce-Bedard said. "Working for a corporation, your hands are tied. I did that and was told things I could do and couldn't do. But, with them and now my own business, I really like having the ability to set my own policies and do what is best for the dogs and cats." For instance, Boyce-Bedard explains in detail — to their human counterparts — why a particular pet might need a specific service and how she'll go about addressing this very situation. "I always communicate what I do with the client first," Boyce-Bedard said. "I want to know what a client wants and needs with their pets, and then I tailor the services I can offer to whatever the animal needs." Humanity over vanity Houndstooth represents a full-service grooming salon, treating both dogs and cats. This includes providing cuts, trimming nails and bathing them. "And the products we use, it's all wellness-focused, so every product that we sell in our retail area is a product we stand behind," Boyce-Bedard said. "We try to go with natural ingredients and homeopathic solutions whenever possible." Houndstooth also specializes in hard-to-groom dogs. This would include dogs that detest baths and/or despise having their nails trimmed. "If you have had dogs or cats kicked out of other groomers, bring them here," Boyce-Bedard said. "I feel for them. A lot of times, they need someone to understand where they are coming from. It's all about meeting them where they're at and giving them a calm atmosphere to make them feel relaxed. And this is a calm atmosphere. It can make a huge difference." No matter the type or level of service, Boyce-Bedard makes and keeps a promise to clients entrusting her with their pets: She'll not only pamper animals but protect them as well. "There's an expression in the grooming world: humanity over vanity," she said. "That means I'm always willing to put the pet first. I will not hurt pets to make them look cute. I want to please every animal and parent, but the animal's safety is going to take precedence every time." Bedard wholeheartedly believes in his wife's mission and principles. Proving the point, he quit his longtime hospitality-related job to manage Houndstooth's business side. The shop sells many products, from leashes to treats, for cats and dogs. "We are a good team together," Boyce-Bedard said. "I handle a lot of the day-to-day grooming aspects, and then he does literally everything else." Keeping the community in mind Houndstooth's hands-on approach — or, with their animals in mind, a paws-on approach — extends beyond its brick-and-mortar building. It's involved in many community fundraisers and animal-related campaigns, including with the Humane Society of Erie County. It's also looking to partner with other nonprofits tasked with rescuing animals. Most recently, in December, Houndstooth and its customers collected items — like cat and dog toys, kitty litter and more — donating them to the humane society. "As a small business, it really takes a village, and we appreciate all the support we've received thus far and want to give back as well," Boyce-Bedard said. And, as a new business, the Milan-based spouses want to meet as many new people and animals as possible. This would include welcoming them into their salon. Both encourage people with cats or dogs to drop them off at Houndstooth, open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. People can book an appointment at houndstoothservices.com. "If you are looking for a grooming salon that treats your pets in the way they deserve to be treated — in a calm, loving manner — then we are the grooming salon for you," Boyce-Bedard said. What's in a name? Boyce-Bedard explained how the name Houndstooth Pet Services came to be: • Houndstooth is a textile pattern characterized by jagged four-pointed shapes, which resemble dogs' teeth. It's also often seen a lot in coatwear and handkerchiefs. • The word houndstooth is also associated with luxury. • A hound is a type of dog. "Because of all of that, it was a great fit to use with our grooming salon," Boyce-Bedard said. "We are focusing on dogs and cats while giving them that luxurious experience."