🎤 Today we speak with Carmen Sánchez Bautista, Founder of Saloon Pet Grooming Center 🐶🐱
Today we have the pleasure of interviewing Carmen Sánchez Bautista, the founder of Saloon Pet Grooming Center, a unique space where dog and cat grooming becomes an experience of well-being, empathy, and respect for our furry companions. Since discovering her passion in 2015, her life took a radical turn, leaving behind her administrative career to dedicate herself body and soul to improving the lives of dogs and cats through care and aesthetics. 🛁✨
Her love for animals began in childhood, when her wish to share her life with a dog came true with Richard, her furry companion for 16 years. That connection marked the beginning of a vocation that years later would transform into a dream come true: offering a grooming and spa service where every pet is treated with the respect and affection it deserves.
Furthermore, the center is set in an authentic Old West Saloon, a nod to history and a reminder of the importance of learning to live with animals with respect and understanding. 🏜️🐕
In her role as a mother and entrepreneur, she has adapted her life to continue fulfilling her mission: to improve animal welfare and educate families about the importance of respectful companionship. Her philosophy is clear: dogs and cats are not just pets; they are part of our family and deserve the best.
Today, she tells us more about her journey, her passion, and how she has made Saloon a place where every dog and cat feels safe, understood, and happy. Let's go to the interview! 🎙️🐾
1. As a dog groomer, you are in daily contact with different skin and coat types. What are the most common problems you see in dogs that come to your grooming salon?
In our Saloon, the main problem we see is alopecia caused by recurrent cuts throughout the dog's life, leaving very little hair and preventing proper thermoregulation, as well as hindering proper skin function. This is a very common problem in the profession due to the lack of training of some professionals who use clippers as their primary tool.
The second most frequent problem is dermatitis due to allergies to external or food agents. When this occurs, early diagnosis is crucial, as the skin is the largest organ of the body and, paradoxically, protects us from the outside. If it is damaged, pathogens can more easily enter, creating a vicious circle. This problem is often accompanied by painful recurrent otitis that can become chronic.
Another common problem is the proliferation of Malassezia, a bacteria that thrives in humidity and causes thick, yellowish flaking, leading to intense itching in dogs. We also find diseases that secondarily affect the skin and, in some cases, skin cancer caused by sun exposure after continuous shaving.
We cannot forget the influence of emotions on skin health. Stress, changes, and lack of emotional management can reduce defenses and make the skin more susceptible.
2. You've been using our natural and organic shampoo with 30% aloe vera for a year. What benefits have you noticed compared to other shampoos on the market?
It's a shampoo that deeply soothes and moisturizes. When combined with the appropriate veterinary treatment, it provides excellent maintenance results for dogs' skin.
3. Many owners don't realize that conventional shampoos can affect their dogs' skin and contain many synthetic ingredients. Why is it important to choose a shampoo with natural and organic ingredients?
It is essential that the raw material is of high quality and, above all, that it does not contain harmful ingredients such as parabens, fragrances, sulfites, petroleum derivatives, or dyes. Everything we apply to the skin is absorbed and can cause adverse reactions. Furthermore, we must keep the skin microbiota balanced, and the less natural the product, the easier it will be to destabilize it.
4. You have also tried our 100% natural repairing balm for paw pads, nose, elbows, and chafing. In what cases have you recommended it, and what results have you observed?
The results are immediate. In our Saloon, we include it in the service because these areas are often neglected. If it happens to us humans with our feet, imagine dogs, whose paw pads are much more exposed. Elbows and chafing especially affect large dogs, overweight dogs, or those with diseases like leishmaniasis.
It's an easy-to-apply balm that really moisturizes, with long-lasting results. Applying it with a massage, you immediately notice how much they enjoy it; it even shows on their faces. It's magical!
5. From your experience, how can good coat and skin care improve a dog's overall well-being?
If the skin is healthy, the dog's overall well-being improves considerably. Those of us who suffer from dermatitis know how annoying constant itching, pain, burning, and even sleep disruption can be. When the skin is damaged, the organism is more vulnerable to diseases.
Furthermore, healthy skin translates into an abundant and shiny coat, which not only provides beauty but also protects against external agents such as water, sun, chemicals, and insects.
6. For guardians who want to keep their dog's coat and skin in perfect condition at home, what advice would you give them besides frequent bathing?
Each coat type requires different maintenance. The care of a short-haired Chihuahua is not the same as that of a Golden Retriever with a double coat, or a long-haired Bichon versus a curly-haired Poodle.
It's essential to get professional advice on home maintenance and the appropriate frequency for visiting the groomer, because all dogs need it. Bathing is only one part of the process. It's just as important to know how to apply shampoo correctly without leaving residue as it is to dry thoroughly without moisture and brush to remove dead hair.
Furthermore, during grooming sessions, we can detect early problems or discover ailments that families haven't noticed. By massaging, inspecting, and pampering every part of their body, we gain valuable information about their health status.
Even on an emotional level, we can provide guidelines on how to proceed at home based on the dog's fears or insecurities, to act respectfully and non-intrusively. Therefore, all of us who live with animals must learn their language to correctly interpret their messages and ensure they are heard.
Thank you very much, Carmen, for your time—you are a true role model!