Team Members

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Jose Cardona is the owner and groomer here at Fluffy Mutt Grooming Salon.  His love for dogs was realized at a young age, and Jose cannot remember a time when he did not have a dog.  He never imagined that he would get to interact with so many fun loving dogs on a daily basis.

Jose began his grooming experience as a bather at Petco in May of 2009.  His passion for dogs was evident from the beginning and he was quickly promoted into the pet stylist training program, which he completed in November of 2010.

Since then, he has learned that dog grooming is not just about making a dog look good, but about making a dog feel good.  Grooming a dog gives relief from the heat in these New Orleans summers, and eases the pain that is caused by matted fur. 

In 2014, Jose made his dream a reality when he opened the doors to Fluffy Mutt Grooming Salon.  He had always wanted to own his own business, and was proud of the service he was able to provide.  

As his business grew, Jose knew he needed to add some people to his team.  It proved to be a difficult task to find groomers as passionate about grooming as himself, so in 2019 Jose began to train his first grooming apprentice.  He has found joy in sharing his training and knowledge with other people who are attentive to the well being of animals.  Jose is currently training his fourth grooming apprentice, and takes pride in his contribution to the dog grooming industry by sharing his experience with future groomers. 

Growing up there were always pets in Carmen’s house, from dogs and cats to hamsters and fish. Her home was not the only place where she was with animals either. She was an equestrian for many years and even took care of family and friends’ pets. Carmen currently has a dog and two ferrets of her own.

Because of her love for animals, Carmen always knew that one day she wanted her job to be surrounded by them. Carmen wants to help animals in any way that she can, and she feels being a bather allows her to do that. Being a bather brings joy not only to the customers but also to the dogs. She can see in their faces how happy they look after a fresh bath and clean cut and that’s why she wants to be groomer. 

Carmen joined the Fluffy Mutt team in February 2021 as a bather. She showed a passion for her job and expressed interest in becoming a groomer.  Carmen began training with Jose as a grooming apprentice in September of 2021, and obtained her certification in September 2022. Carmen has been a great addition to our team, and we look forward to helping her advance in her career . 

Jennifer is the proud mom of a fur baby named Paris who she spoils and pampers! When Paris first joined Jennifer's family, she would take her to a professional groomer for regular grooming, but during the pandemic, that wasn't an option.  Jennifer began to groom Paris herself, and it was while doting over Paris that Jennifer realized how much she enjoyed giving Paris the spa treatment and the bond it created between the two of them. 

While grooming her dog, Jennifer also discovered that she had a natural creative flair and inclination to styling and grooming.   She decided to pursue this passion and enrolled in the Animal Behavior College. Jennifer successfully completed a stringent curriculum of courses that included  canine anatomy, proper use and sanitation of sheers and tools, breed profiles and mixed breed styling , scissor control techniques and CPR certification. Jennifer’s formal training also included an externship requirement which she completed here under the supervision of Jose.  

During her externship, Jennifer displayed her love of man’s best friend and her genuine desire to care for and pamper all animals who she treats like her own.  These values are what Fluffy Mutt was founded on to ensure all pets get a wonderful grooming experience every time! She was hired upon her graduation from the program in September 2022.