Whitburn mum opens new South Shields dog groomers with 'one-to-one care' inspired by her own pup
A Whitburn mum has opened a dog groomers in South Shields designed for anxious pups after a poor experience with her own led her to make a career change.
A mum-of-two has opened a new dog grooming studio in South Shields offering one-to-one appointments aimed to soothe anxious pups.
Andrea Hanson has been a dog groomer for four years and rented a salon space in Jarrow three days a week until last month when she opened her very own studio on Coston Drive in South Shields.
The 46-year-old has a City & Guilds qualification and before she trained in dog grooming, worked at Sunderland FC for 23 years.
She was inspired to make a career change not only for her love of dogs, but also after she had a poor experience with her own Labrador Molly at a salon.
This led to her young pup being “terrified of grooming” and Andrea had to work hard to help Molly overcome this fear.
Now she aims to help other dogs and owners in South Tyneside to do the same.
Andrea, from Whitburn, said everybody in South Shields has been very welcoming and supportive.
She specialises in one-to-one care which means that during these appointments all of her attention and care can be focused on one dog.
“It’s like a spa”
Andrea said: “I wanted an environment where the dog isn’t coming in scared and enjoys the experience.
“The whole design of Cosy Coat is around that, all my equipment is very low noise.
“I did all the design, the colours and everything was based on what dogs find relaxing.
“I have really therapeutic music playing, so it’s like a spa when they come in.”
Her studio was previously a hairdressers for 36 years and Andrea transformed the space in just 10 days.
She said she aimed to create a ‘Center Parcs for dogs’ because it is her dog’s favourite place.
Andrea also offers ‘Meet and Treats’ for any pups who might be anxious to be groomed so they can meet her and get used to the space.
She said: “It’s like dropping your child off at nursery.
“I don’t judge. There’s no judgement here.
“I totally understand it’s really hard and the cuts are hard to maintain.
“I’m very much humanity over vanity.”
Andrea opens on weekends too, to give owners more flexibility, and has an online booking system.
She said she has been working with other local businesses nearby and while owners leave their dogs with her, she encourages them to head to the local shops and cafes in the town.