Angela's purpose-built garden grooming parlour in Arborfield, with its signature poodle statues on the patio

Hi, I'm Angela!

The face, hands and heart behind Man's Best Friends Dog Grooming Parlour.

My journey into dog grooming began at just 15 years old, and it's been a huge part of my life ever since. After more than 34 years, I still wouldn't want to do anything else.

International Certified Master Groomer
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My story.

From a 15-year-old at the careers office to my own parlour in Arborfield

On the day I left school, I walked straight out of the school gates and into the careers office in Wokingham. I knew one thing for certain — I wanted to work with animals.

As luck would have it, there was a vacancy at a dog grooming parlour in Barkham called Man's Best Friend. I went for an interview, got the job, and little did I know that it would be the beginning of a lifelong career.

Where It All Began

I spent the next ten years at that parlour, learning the trade through hands-on, in-house training. Over time, I worked my way up to manageress, overseeing a team of three or four staff in a busy parlour grooming between 10 and 15 dogs a day.

I was even trusted to run the entire business while the owner, Elaine, was away on her extended holidays. Looking back, those years gave me an incredible foundation in grooming, handling dogs and understanding the day-to-day running of a parlour.

Taking the Leap on My Own

One day, Elaine pulled me aside and told me she was retiring. She believed I should start my own grooming business.

My first reaction? Complete panic!

Not because I couldn't groom dogs — that was the part I knew and loved — but because running a business was a completely different story!

Thankfully, Elaine believed in me. She sold me some of her grooming equipment and passed on many of her clients' details. I spent my Sundays ringing customers, explaining that Elaine was retiring and that I was taking the plunge and starting out on my own.

Of course, starting my own business didn't mean I suddenly had a diary full of dogs!

While I was building up my grooming clientele, I also took on three or four part-time cleaning jobs, mainly cleaning office buildings around Wokingham and Spencers Wood.

It meant juggling different jobs while slowly establishing my own business, but I was determined to make it work.

Gradually, the grooming appointments increased, my client base grew, and eventually I became so busy that I simply didn't have time for the cleaning jobs anymore.

So I hung up my cleaning gloves, concentrated entirely on grooming, and I've never looked back!

What's in a Name?

When I first started out on my own, my business was called Ang's Groom-N-Room.

I thought it was quite catchy, but there was one little problem — people kept thinking I offered dog boarding as well as grooming! Apparently, the name gave entirely the wrong impression!

As time went on, and other grooming businesses began using similar names, I decided it was time for a change.

After struggling to find a name I really loved, I found myself coming back to the name of the parlour where it had all begun — Man's Best Friend.

So, with an extra 's' on the end of Friends, Man's Best Friends Dog Grooming Parlour was born!

From a Conservatory to My Very Own Parlour

My first little grooming setup was in my family's conservatory in Winnersh. It wasn't glamorous, but it was a start!

When we moved to Spencers Wood, my mum and her husband kindly allowed me to convert the garage into a small grooming parlour, where I continued building my business.

After several years, I found myself missing the routine of getting up and actually going out to work. So I took another leap and rented my own premises on Molly Millars Lane in Wokingham.

I spent many happy years there, running my business and grooming dogs predominantly one-to-one, just as I had done since becoming self-employed.

But I always had another little dream…

A Parlour of My Own, Right at Home

When I met my partner, Dean, I made it quite clear that one day I'd love us to have a home with enough space for my own purpose-built grooming parlour in the garden.

And eventually, that's exactly what we did!

We moved to Arborfield shortly before lockdown, and while I continued travelling to my Wokingham premises for work, plans were already underway to bring my dream parlour to life.

Today, I'm incredibly lucky to work from my own purpose-built, air-conditioned garden parlour, designed to provide a comfortable, calm and welcoming environment for the dogs in my care.

My Approach to Grooming Today

After more than 34 years in the grooming industry, I've experienced everything from managing a busy team to working independently with dogs of all sorts of personalities and temperaments.

I've also gone on to achieve my International Certified Master Groomer qualification, something I'm incredibly proud of. You can read more about that journey on my Qualifications page.

Although I've gained years of experience and professional qualifications, one thing has never changed — my love of dogs and my belief that every dog deserves patience, kindness and individual attention.

Since starting my own business, I've always preferred a more personal, predominantly one-to-one approach, where dogs receive my individual attention rather than being rushed through a busy grooming environment.

Some dogs arrive bursting with confidence, others need a little more reassurance, and some simply prefer to take things at their own pace. That's absolutely fine by me.

I take pride in getting to know each dog as an individual, building trust and making their grooming experience as comfortable and positive as possible.

And Here I Am Today…

From a 15-year-old girl walking into a careers office, to running my very own little parlour in Arborfield, it's certainly been quite a journey.

I've worked hard, learnt an awful lot, met some wonderful people and had the pleasure of caring for countless lovely dogs along the way.

And after all these years? I still wouldn't want to do anything else!

Angela x Man's Best Friends Dog Grooming Parlour

My approach.

One-to-one grooming where welfare always comes first

Before you read… Yes, this is a longer write-up, but I personally believe that a couple of short sentences cannot properly explain how I will care for and work with your much-loved family member.

I want every owner to understand exactly how I groom, what I stand for and what their dog can expect while in my care. Choosing a groomer is an important decision, so please take a few minutes to read about the experience, care and thought that go into every appointment.

More than 30 years of experience

With more than 30 years of hands-on dog-grooming experience, I offer something much more personal than simply giving your dog a haircut.

I am an International Certified Master Groomer, canine first-aid trained, and I have continued to expand my knowledge throughout my career.

Grooming methods and equipment are always developing, along with my understanding of canine behaviour. I believe that experience should always be supported by continued learning.

A truly one-to-one environment

I work completely alone, without staff, from my purpose-built, air-conditioned and heated garden grooming parlour.

Your dog receives my full attention from beginning to end. There is no busy production line, no changing groomers and no room full of dogs waiting around.

This creates a calmer, quieter and much more personal experience.

Every dog is treated as an individual

I don't believe that one grooming routine suits every dog.

From your dog's very first appointment, I carefully observe their body language. Over the first few visits, I learn what they like, what worries them, how they prefer to stand or move, and which order of grooming helps them feel most comfortable.

Once I have found the routine that works best for your dog, I keep it as familiar and consistent as possible.

This helps me to build trust with your dog and allows grooming to become a normal, predictable part of their life.

A special understanding of anxious dogs

Anxious, nervous, elderly and sensitive dogs are never rushed or forced through a groom.

I work gently, at each dog's individual pace, giving them time and adjusting my methods whenever necessary.

Sometimes completing a perfect-looking haircut is not the kindest option. If your dog tells me they have had enough, their welfare will always come before appearance.

Dogs come first, humans second

This is the principle behind every decision I make.

I will never painfully pull apart a severely matted coat simply because an owner wants it left longer.

When clipping is the safest and kindest option, I will always choose comfort over vanity.

My job is to advocate for the dog on my table, even when that means having an honest conversation with their owner.

Carefully chosen equipment and products

I have invested in professional, top-quality grooming equipment and high-quality shampoos and products.

I pre-clip approximately 95% of my grooms before bathing. This removes unnecessary coat and makes the bathing and drying process more efficient and comfortable for the dog.

I hand-dry every dog while continually checking their skin, coat, body and comfort.

I do not use drying cabinets, and I very rarely use a blaster because it is not my preferred method of drying. There are only a couple of dogs on my books that I use it on, because I know those individual dogs are completely comfortable with it.

For almost every dog, I use my quieter Simpsons Superjet stand dryer. This allows me to remain beside them, drying and brushing their coat carefully while continually monitoring their comfort.

I also use as few restraints as safely possible and continually adapt the groom around the individual dog in front of me.

Regular appointments matter

I will recommend the most suitable number of weeks between appointments for your individual dog's coat, lifestyle and emotional comfort.

Regular grooming helps to prevent painful matting and allows the experience to remain familiar.

Leaving very long or constantly changing gaps between appointments can make grooming feel unfamiliar again and may increase a dog's anxiety.

A consistent appointment schedule also allows me to maintain the individual routine and the trust that your dog and I have built together.

Small and medium-sized dogs

I specialise in grooming small and medium-sized dogs in a calm, kind and force-free environment.

Every dog is seen, listened to and treated as the individual they are.

This is not just grooming. It is experience, understanding, patience, trust and genuine care, built around your dog.

Treats & food allergies

For the health and wellbeing of every dog in my care, I do not supply treats during grooming appointments.

With so many dogs having food allergies, intolerances and sensitive tummies, I would much rather they enjoy treats they are already familiar with.

For puppies especially, I highly recommend bringing along some of their usual favourite treats, as these can be a lovely way to encourage and reward them during their puppy introductions.

Owners of adult dogs are also very welcome to bring their own treats if they wish.

The last thing I would ever want is to give a dog something unfamiliar, only for them to go home with an upset tummy, sickness or diarrhoea.

It's just another little way of making sure your much-loved family member is cared for as thoughtfully as possible.

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Man's Best Friends Dog Grooming Parlour Gentle, one-to-one grooming with your dog's welfare at heart.