New Lindenhurst dog grooming biz aims for comfort, service

LINDENHURST – For some dogs, a visit to the groomer can be an unnerving, anxiety-ridden experience.

Peace, Paws and Harmony, Inc., a new dog grooming business in Lindenhurst, aims to change that.

Groomer Samantha Mandarino has been washing dogs since she was just eight-years-old and has worked as a groomer for almost nine years. Six of those years were spent at Lindenhurst Animal Hospital, where Mandarino gained experience working with “vet dogs.” Vet dogs are dogs that are more ideally suited for grooming at a veterinarian’s office, rather than a traditional grooming facility.

“We really want to work with whatever makes the dog the most comfortable and least stressed as we can,” Owner Shawn Forsythe said.

Peace, Paws and Harmony, Inc., 616 Bridgeport Terrace, aims to cater its services to each individual dog. They offer kennels as well as express grooming for dogs that need it. They also have two large treatment rooms and offer aromatherapy and massage, in addition to grooming.

Mandarino said she "fell into” being a dog groomer. She had a friend who was a dog groomer and as she was trying to decide her next career path, she gave grooming a try.

“As soon as I started doing it, I knew there wasn’t anything else I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” she said.

Working in the corporate grooming environment, Mandarino said dogs were often referred to a veterinarian for a variety of reasons. Soon, Mandarino became that person people called when they needed an alternative.

“For someone who has a dog who can be difficult behavior-wise … those people have to have their dogs groomed somewhere,” she said, adding that Peace, Paws and Harmony, Inc. can be that place.

Since she has vet tech training, Mandarino is able to sense when a dog is becoming stressed and when that stress will inhibit the grooming. Part of what Peace, Paws and Harmony, Inc. hopes to do is educate people on their dog’s needs.

“Working with some of these dogs, the consistency of working with the same person every time, with the same routine, really makes a difference,” Mandarino said.

If grooming is stressful for a dog, or the dog has hip issues and can’t stand for as long as needed for grooming, or a myriad of other reasons, Mandarino can alter the dog’s cut to accommodate their needs.

“Sam works with the dogs to make them pretty and comfortable,” Forsythe said. Forsythe and Mandarino are mother and daughter.

Mandarino will work with dogs who visit traditional groomers, dogs who have previously been referred to their vets, puppies, senior dogs and everything in between. She’ll even work with dogs who have been banned from other facilities.

With a motto of humanity over vanity, Peace, Paws and Harmony, Inc. is really just trying to offer a humane environment for pets, Madarino explained.

The business is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and by appointment-only on Thursdays. Peace, Paws and Harmony, Inc. is now closed Sundays, but can consider opening one Sunday each month, if needed.

Call 224-643-7792 for information or visit www.peacepawsandharmony.com.