top of page
Stephanie Burford, Precious Paws Pet Grooming

About Me
Stephanie

Owner / Manager of Precious Paws / Stylist

Ever since I was young I have loved animals. I wanted to be a vet as a little girl, and often thought that I would like to cut hair. (I never thought it would be dog hair rather than humans!) I had many breeds of dog growing up, and it was my Cocker Spaniel Willow that inspired me to become a Dog Groomer.

I studied for two years at Shuttleworth College in Bedfordshire and gained a City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced in Dog Grooming. I passed my writing exam with distinctions and also passed three practical exams.

Prior to studying to be a dog groomer I worked for Wood Green Animal Shelter for nearly ten years learning the important skills linked to dog handling and understanding body language.

Whilst at Wood Green I attended many courses and I found these to be a great asset during my day to day work with the dogs. I have had experience of dog grooming since 2005 and experience of working with dogs as a career since 2001.

My dogs are part of my family; they are like my own children. Your pet would be treated kindly, lovingly and as an individual.

Qualifications:

Level 2 Dog Grooming from Shuttleworth College

Level 3 Advanced Dog Grooming from Shuttleworth College

Pets:

2 pugs called Pluto and Archie

A Springer Spaniel called Pip

Lucy, Precious Paws Dog Grooming

About Me
Lucy

Dog Grooming Stylist

When I was in school my passion was dance and it was the one subject that I ever really looked forward to. After completing my A-Levels and gaining an A* in it I ended up going straight into work as a waitress. After quickly discovering that I didn’t enjoy that I tried finding another career that perhaps I was more suited to. So in September 2017 I started work at a children’s nursery training as an apprentice to get my Level 3 in Childcare. However, once again I found that I wasn’t as suited to it as I thought I would be and so I decided to go to an open day at the College of Animal Welfare in Godmanchester and found the Dog Grooming Course.

I applied in April 2018, began my training in May, and became a fully qualified Level 2 Dog Groomer in June. I fully believe that this was the best decision I have ever made. I started working for Steph and Precious Paws in October 2018 and have enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve always been such a dog person and I love that I get to work around them every day. Anyone who knows me, knows that my dog Ralph is my best friend. I completed my Level 3 in Dog Grooming in 2021.

 

Qualifications:

Completed Level 2 and 3 Dog Grooming from The College of Animal Welfare

Pets:

A Fox Terrier called Ralph

A cat called Albert

Erin, Precious Paws

About Me

Erin

 

Dog Grooming Stylist

 

When I was younger I never really knew what I wanted to be when I was older, all I knew was that I had a huge interest in animals, especially dogs. I have grown up with dogs and they were a massive part of my childhood. All of my pets have all been an important part of my family and I could not imagine a home without a one.

 

I passed my GCSE’s in June 2022 and successfully got the grades I needed. Throughout my last year of school I was planning on doing an A-level degree in Sport as that is something else that I am passionate about. However, I soon decided that school was not for me anymore and I wanted to try something new that I haven’t tried before. I wanted to find a different way of learning new skills and decided I would love to do a City & Guilds apprenticeship in level 2 dog grooming as that has always been my dream to be able to work with dogs. I started working for Steph in September 2022 and I have enjoyed everything about working in the salon so far. I have since passed my City & Guilds level 2 apprenticeship with Precious Paws and am currently doing a City & Guilds level 3 dog grooming course to gain enough knowledge so hopefully I can set up my own business one day.

 

Pets:

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Ron

A French Bulldog called Bella

A cat called Lola

A horse called Ted

A Hamster called Monty

IMG_5694.JPEG

About Me

Grace

 

Grooming Apprentice

 

Ever since I was little I have been interested in animals and have had loads of different pets throughout my life. In 2024 I did work experience at Precious Paws and found that I instantly fell in love with the job. Since joining the team and becoming an apprentice I've found a real passion for dog grooming and I've already learnt so much.


This is my first real job, and I'm so happy it's in this field. I'm wrapping up my Level 2 at the College of Animal Welfare soon and can't wait to start Level 3, hopefully gaining enough knowledge and experience to one day have my own business.

 

Qualifications:

Working towards City & Guilds Level 2 Dog Grooming from The College of Animal Welfare

Pets:

A Cavapoo called Sandy

732EF30B-87A6-46BE-A7DF-D50161CD13DA.jpeg

About Me

Will

 

Grooming Assistant

Since I was little I’ve always been around dogs, horses and other animals and have loved working with them so I knew that I wanted a career involving them in my future. Although I had wanted to do something with animal care originally, I found The College Of West Anglia and saw they did a dog grooming course. I went to the taster day just to see how it was and that’s where my passion sparked from. I have now finished my City & Guilds Level 2 in Dog Grooming at The College Of West Anglia and will be beginning my Level 3 in September. It’s an amazing opportunity working at Precious Paws and it's really helping me expand my knowledge and further my experience.

 

Qualifications: 

City and Guilds Level 2 in Dog Grooming

Working towards Level 3 

 

Pets:

A Staffordshire bull terrier called Diesel 

A German shepherd called JJ  

Rhiannon, Dog Groomer, Precious Paws

About Me

Rhiannon

 

Grooming Assistant

 

I am currently in my first year of sixth form studying Btec Science, Art and Health and Social. Precious Paws is my first part time job and I feel really lucky that Stephanie gave me the opportunity to work at the salon, as I have always had a massive passion for dogs since growing up with them all my life. I work Saturdays and whilst being at the Salon I have learnt a variety of different skills. I have always loved animals so being able to learn about their behaviours is really interesting and has been a great opportunity for me.

 

Pets:

2x German Shepherds called Misty and Amaya

A Rottweiler called Kodi

2x Cats called Saphy and Bubbles

Jazz, Dog Groomer, Precious Paws

About Me

Jazz

 

Grooming Assistant

 

Last year, when I was in year 10, I was very passionate about becoming a veterinary nurse, so for my work experience I chose to go to a pet grooming salon and came to Precious Paws. I have grown up always living with dogs so I felt this was a good placement for my work experience. From this 2 week work experience, Stephanie offered me a part time job. 

I am currently in year 11 doing my GCSE’s and working at the weekends here has taught me many things about the care for animals and all their different needs. I really enjoy working here at Precious Paws because of the many skills you are able to learn as well being part of the team. I feel very lucky to work here.

 

Pets:

A Cocker Spaniel called Loki

A Sprocker called Arya

bottom of page