Meet Shannon Duggan of Four Paws Only & Camp Zen Doggie Daycare in Dracut

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Duggan.

Shannon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
For myself, it started from the moment I graduated high school.

I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that was offered to me through employment. I was contacted by a friend of a friend whom owned a grooming shop that was looking for a new employee. Although the position that I accepted was below my then qualifications , I knew it was a good choice for my future.

Over the course of a few years, I worked myself up the ladder from an assistant position to be full-time groomer to a staff manager to eventually overseeing most of the management responsibilities of the grooming shop.

I was blessed with a wonderful boss who cared about her employees cared about her business and gave me the freedom I needed to make not only myself shine but the business shine.

The plan was always that one day the shop would be mine… but to be honest I took that very lightly because I loved being in complete. I loved my job! I loved my boss! I love the environment that we built together and then I got to work in every single day. They say, if you love what you do you never work a day in your life. This is one of my many mantras. I love my job and even to this day nearly 23 years later. I look forward to going to work every day. So that was my beginning at Four Paws.

About three years ago, the previous owners decided it was time to sell. It was a little sooner than we all head into subpoenaed so timing wasn’t perfect but we delved in anyway. It was a long process and it took us nearly a year to complete the fine details of the sale. I took over ownership of the longest standing grooming shop in the Dracut area we’ve been in business for 28 years 23 of which I have been a part of. January 1st 2016, later that same year, we decided to expand our business and offer another new service. That’s how Camps Zen Doggy Daycare came about.

It has been a fast year and we are coming up on our one year anniversary of being open for doggy day care and we could not be happier with where things are at.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As far as obstacles and challenges, you expect certain things owning a business and even running a business so over my 23 years I would like to think we’ve seen it all and survived!

My biggest challenge is from a personal standpoint. About two years ago, we welcomed our daughter Tallulah into our world!! She is our biggest joy in addition to our eight dogs and two cats. Finding balance between being a busy business owner and a mom is by far my largest obstacle. As you can imagine, we have a very busy household with a two-year-old, eight dogs two cats and various other small animals that we share our home with.

I would not change any of it for the world, and I believe we are building our legacy to one day, hand over to our Tallulah. I see my young self in her every day. she is the BIGGEST animal lover and adores spending time at the “Puppy Spa” as she calls it.

We are blessed to have a wonderful support system around us that help us balance it all. I have an amazing staff that has grown to 67 employees this past year, supportive partner that understands how difficult it is to run and be successful in business and the best caretakers that help us assist in caring for Tallulah while I am running my business 🙂 Although she loves spending time at the “Puppy Spa” it’s no place for a toddler, she is in home care during our working hours.

Please tell us about Four Paws Only & Camp Zen Doggie Daycare.
Our qualified staff of pet stylists specialize in “hand scissoring” and stands far above the rest. Having a staff with a background in show grooming, and our knowledge of cat and dog breed standards for grooming makes our spa number one in the area.

Established in 1989, we offer pets a day of pampering including nail trimming, ear cleaning, therapeutic baths, blow drying and scissor trimming. Finishing touches include aromatherapy scents and bows. Our award-winning staff offers pets personalized and professional service with your pet’s spiritual wellbeing and comfort above all else. We also carry organic treats and dog toys. Our Spa uses only “Green” shampoos and products. We are pesticide and chemical free…. making a healthier environment for our four-legged clients and our employees as well.

What makes us different from the rest? Having an extensive background in animal behavior coupled with managing a pack of our own dogs and raising puppies, does put us a step above the rest.

Safety is our primary concern. Exhaustion is not the answer to a happy dog. That is why our daycare offers a well-structured environment, allowing for adequate rest as well as active play. Happiness is all about balance and its very important for the emotional well-being of our pets to live in an over stimulated state.

We offer a home setting. Couches and beds are never off limits! We offer a menu of treats and snacks that are made with love by our own staff. Green Pet Care! We believe in taking care of our environment. This helps humans and pets alike. We constantly search and research products that will effectively benefit our daycare and our dogs. That means super careful selection of all cleaning, grooming and feeding supplies that touch our daycare. The pet industry is becoming savvier about ‘keeping it simple’, organic and reducing our carbon footprint whenever possible. What truly makes us different from our (many local) competitors is the emotional piece to it all. Dogs are sensitive beings and speak a different language than we do … however, if you truly “listen” they are wonderful communicators!

“Dogs may not be our whole life but they make our lives whole” – Roger Caras

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
There have been many along the way! I feel being an employee to such a wonderful boss and business owner for so many years prior to owning the business myself, gave me a bird’s eye view of what it’s like to be on both sides of the fence. With that being said, I personally feel I offer my employees a fun, safe, and enjoyable environment to work in, that hopefully they share the same feelings as “love what you do and you never work a day in your life!

Contact Info:

• Address: 5 Gerard St.
• Website: www.fourpawsonlyinc.com | http://www.camp-zen.com/
• Phone: 9789577387
• Email: fourpawsonlyllc@hotmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FourPawsOnlyInc/ and https://www.facebook.com/campzen/

Image Credit:
Nutter Photography

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