Meet our team of cat and dog groomers in Battle Creek and Portage

Julia has stepped back from the grooming table limited to 1 day a week in Battle Creek and 2 days in Portage.  She is still dedicated to the grooming industry, but is now training the next generation of groomers and supporting them has become her key focus in the industry.  As many know, she has been breeding and showing German Shepherds for over 30 years and is spending more time with her family, traveling, training, and showing her breed. She is extremely accessible and very active in the community with rescue groups and continues to go to community meetings monthly to make sure she is up to date with what's going on in the neighborhoods where her businesses are located.

Angel has been grooming for nine years and loves working with both cats and dogs—each one brings their own personality and challenge that keeps every day interesting for her. Angel’s specialty is grooming anxious dogs. She finds that there is something so rewarding seeing a dog go from shaking in their boots to tail waggin’ and kisses. At home she has two dogs, one cat, and two gargoyle geckos who keep her life full of energy and entertainment. In her free time, she is usually unwinding with video games, diving into anime, getting creative with arts and crafts, or listening to music. Grooming is her career, but animals and creativity are what make her feel most fulfilled.

Nikki is a dedicated and passionate dog and cat groomer with 6 years Of experience in making pets look and feel their best. From a young age, she had always had a deep love for animals, which led her to pursue a career in pet grooming.

She is skilled in all aspects of grooming, including breed-specific cuts, bathing, nail trimming. Teeth cleaning and pet hair dye. She takes pride in creating a calm and comfortable environment for every pet, ensuring a stress-free grooming experience. She is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest grooming techniques and trends through continuous education and training.

Beyond grooming, Nikki is also passionate about pet health and well-being. She enjoys educating pet owners on proper grooming practices and offering personalized advice to keep their furry friends happy and healthy. When not grooming, she can be found caring for her new baby boy or crafting something.

Leannah has been with Paws & Claws since 2024.  When she is not giving your furry friends a spa day, she is a dog mom to a pit pull, a lab, and a hound mix.   She works at the Portage location and is currently accepting new clients.

Alexis has worked in the pet-care industry for 6 months and has gained hands-on experience in everything from daycare routines to basic animal handling. Before this, she worked at another doggy daycare for about 4 months, which helped her build a strong foundation in caring for dogs of all sizes and personalities. She recently graduated from Pennfield earlier this year. Her goals include expanding her skills in areas like dog training and grooming and building a long-term career where she can keep helping animals feel safe, happy, and loved.

Joey is a very experienced brusher, bather and has been to two trade shows and industry workshops.  He is working on breed standard haircuts currently and works exclusively in Battle Creek.  Sometimes he is known to come over and help out his sister store in Portage.

Jessica is a patient and dedicated dog groomer who loves helping pets feel their best.  She brings the care and reliability she gained from serving in the Army National Guard into her grooming works, creating a calm and positive experience for every dog.  She has a soft spot for King Charles Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, and Labs but treats every pup with the same care and kindness.

Brooke has been a professional dog groomer for six years and is certified through paragon. She truly loves what she does — especially working with young puppies and helping them build confidence during their first grooming experiences. Animals are a huge part of Brooke’s life. At home, she cares for 15+ reptiles, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. Spending time with her animals is her favorite part of every day. When she’s not grooming or tending to her little zoo, you can usually find her relaxing with video games or soaking up the outdoors. In the summer, she loves kayaking, hiking, and exploring new places around the world. Whether she’s out in nature or hanging out with her animals, grooming dogs, she’s happiest when surrounded by the things she’s passionate about.

Hello, my name is Tori. I’ve had a passion for animals since I was a small child. After graduation, I decided to get into the pet industry. As everyone knows, the industry is growing by leaps and bounds, from working in an animal care big box store, learning nail trims and nutrition, to another box store that taught me the value of proper bathing. I have now moved into the private sector where I can learn to expand my grooming skills. I have attended workshops on how to dye dog’s hair, trade shows, and have been in the industry now for almost three years. I look forward to using the knowledge that I have currently and the strong support that I have around me to make your pet’s visit successful. Most of all, their comfort and experience at the salon is of utmost importance to me.

Lindsey is a Battle Creek local and new mom who has been grooming professionally for 3 years. She has a passion for the comfort and wellbeing of animals. She is a massive animal person, and loves large breed dogs, the fluffier the better. She decided to become a dog groomer because of her family's husky mix shedding and her having to pulling the compacted hair out by hand. She later accepted an opportunity to learn through a corporate training program. She is working on our cat grooming certification.

Stephanie has worked in the daycare at Paws and Claws for three years. Her family and pets are her world. Outside of the daycare she loves to spend her time with family and friends, baking, going on adventures, and serving her community.  Stephanie is the manager in charge of the daycare facility.