Hello!
Hello! I’m Thea Steele, owner and groomer of Sassy Tailz Pet Grooming, LLC, a business I proudly launched in 2015 to combine my love for animals with years of hands-on experience in veterinary care and grooming. Based in Northern Virginia, I specialize in mobile grooming services for both dogs and cats—bringing a calm, compassionate, and professional grooming experience right to your doorstep.
I’m part of a loving military family that includes my husband, our energetic 13-year-old daughter, and our rambunctious 3-year-old son. Our household is also full of furry companions—Sassy, our 9-year-old Cattle Dog; Dozer, our 11-year-old Bluetick mix; Gus, a 9-year-old cat; and sister cats Candy and Buttercup, both 7.
My grooming journey began at just 13 years old, caring for horses on professional hunter/jumper farms while training in equestrian jumping. That early hands-on experience sparked a lifelong passion for animal wellness. I later transitioned into veterinary medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Meg Miller Turpin, DACVIM, where I spent seven years working in Equine Internal Medicine. During that time, I became the first certified technician at the Equine Hyperbaric Center of South Florida, operating advanced oxygen therapy chambers used in healing and rehabilitation. I continued my veterinary career at Surgi-Care for Horses in Tampa, Florida, where I gained hands-on experience with equine surgery, anesthesia, and hospitalization care.
Following my husband's transfer to Virginia Beach, Virginia, I ventured into the care of small animals and began working at Salem Veterinary Clinic, where I built a strong foundation in preventative care, diagnostics, dental procedures, and grooming. In 2014, I realized grooming was my true calling. In 2015, we moved to Beaumont, Texas, where I officially founded Sassy Tailz Pet Grooming. The business quickly flourished, earning a reputation as a referral-only, waitlisted service.
In 2019, our family relocated to Northern Virginia. Since then, I’ve reestablished my business with an entirely new clientele and expanded into feline grooming—a specialized service that is rare in the region. I’m proud to now be one of the only dedicated feline groomers in Northern Virginia.
I’m currently pursuing my Certified Feline Master Groomer (CFMG) designation through the National Cat Groomers Institute of America. I’ve completed the institute’s 10-week training syllabus and passed several of the required exams, including Temperament and Handling, Health and Anatomy, and Short Hair Full Grooming. I continue to train under CFMG instructors as I work toward full certification.
Whether it’s a playful pup or a finicky feline, I’m committed to delivering the highest standard of care, grooming, and comfort for your beloved pets.