Teresa Alexander - Cliffdale Animal Hospital - Groomer

Teresa's Journey: From Childhood Animal Lover to Passionate Pet Groomer

Teresa Alexander leaned forward on the table, taking a deep breath before she began. "My name is Teresa. I was born in Mexico, but I've had the chance to call various places my home. When I was about seven, my family moved to Los Angeles, and I spent my formative years there until I was almost an adult. Later, my mother decided to relocate to the Carolinas, where I spent a decade. From there, I got married and moved to South Florida, where I lived for about twelve years. Now, I find myself back in the Carolinas, but this time, it's a solo adventure."

Reflecting on her early love for animals, Teresa's eyes lit up as she shared, "I've always had a deep love for animals since childhood. I grew up with various pets, and they were always a source of comfort and joy for me. Despite this, I wasn't sure what career path to take. I dabbled in different jobs—office work, retail, food services. It wasn't until 2015 that I found my calling, and I started working at an animal hospital. I didn't have much experience with other dogs back then, though I always had dogs myself."

She continued with a thoughtful look, "I began as a kennel technician and did well enough to get promoted a few times. But I found handling blood and other medical aspects quite challenging, so I shifted back to office jobs, which I quickly realized were not for me. Despite this, my passion for working with animals kept pulling me back. When I moved to Tampa, I found a job at a grooming salon. They hired me quickly, and I started by bathing dogs and observing the groomers closely."

Determined to master grooming, Teresa explained, "I had a 14-year-old dog that I groomed myself his entire life. I asked if I could learn at the salon, but they were too busy to teach me. So, I moved to another salon where they promised to train me, but that didn't pan out either—they just had me work with the skills I already had. Grooming is really all about practice."

Teresa's smile widened as she reminisced about her journey. "I stayed at that salon for six months before moving to a grooming section in a supermarket. I showed the owner pictures of my work, and she hired me. I worked there for nearly a year until an emergency forced me to leave. I then moved to the east coast of Florida and worked at another grooming salon, including mobile grooming. In four years of grooming, I've gained such a diverse range of experiences."

A nostalgic look crossed Teresa's face as she shared a touching childhood memory. "One story that always stands out is when my father bought me a rabbit. When it passed away, I was heartbroken. My parents comforted me by telling me to look at the moon, saying there was a rabbit up there. To this day, I still find solace in that."

Discussing challenges, she noted, "The biggest challenge initially was finding ways to learn grooming. Now, it's about maintaining calm and patience, especially with difficult dogs. Every day is different—some are smooth and others quite challenging."

She added with warmth, "Working at Cliffdale feels like being part of a family. It's a very comfortable environment. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the happiness on owners' faces when they see their freshly groomed pets and knowing they trust me with their animals."

Reflecting on her current work, Teresa noted, "At Cliffdale, it feels like home. Last year, they even decorated my workspace for my birthday, which was a very thoughtful and memorable gesture."

She also touched on the emotional aspects of her job, saying, "Working with animals can be emotionally challenging, especially seeing a dog I've groomed for years pass away. I still make a small prayer for them and imagine them running free and happy."

When asked about the qualities needed in animal care, Teresa emphasized, "Compassion is crucial. Treating animals with the same care and love as if they were your own is essential."

Finally, on continuing education, Teresa shared, "I strive to attend grooming shows and classes in Orlando annually. These events are both refreshing and educational, helping me learn new techniques and stay updated with the latest developments in grooming."

With a composed smile, Teresa concluded, "That sums up my journey and passion for grooming and working with animals."