My name is Thea Steele and I am the proud owner and groomer of Sassy Tailz Pet Grooming, LLC since 2015. I have just recently relocated to the Northern VA area from Beaumont Tx. We are a military family including my husband and 6 year old daughter. My furry friends include my 3 year old Cattle Dog Sassy, 5 year old blue tick mix Dozer, 10 year old cat Smokey, 3 year old cat Gus, 1 year old sister cats Candy and Buttercup.
My grooming passion began at the very young age of 13, shaving horses in professional hunter/jumper farms. While training in equestrian jumping I was taught how to care and groom these magnificent animals from mane to tail. My Journey then ventured into Veterinary Medicine when I met one of the most iconic people in my life Dr. Meg Miller Turpin, DACVIM. She employed me as her assistant for 7 years where I learned the wonders of Equine Internal Medicine. During those years I also worked for the Equine Hyperbaric Center of South Florida in which I am fully certified to run a Oxygen chamber to heal and treat horses. I later ventured off to Tampa, Florida where I found myself at Surgi-care for Horses. At this facility I learned full hospitalization care, general anesthesia, and worked as a nurse in surgeries. My next job was in Virginia Beach at Salem Veterinary Clinic where I was a full time assistant for 2 years. There I learned small animal anesthesia, microscopic techniques, anatomy, general diseases, medications, grooming, and dental procedures. In 2014 I decided that grooming was my true passion, and purchased my first grooming trailer. In 2016 I upgraded to my Mercedes Sprinter Grooming Van. The town of Beaumont helped me to grow into a very successful business, in which became wait listed and referral only to gain a position on my rotation.
We found out in November 2018 that we would be transferring to Northern Virginia area. I am currently working towards becoming a Certified Feline Master Groomer with the National Cat Grooming Institute of America. I have successfully completed NCGIA 10 week training syllabus program, and have been taking Personal Private Instruction from NCGIA CFMG trainers. Additionally have passed my Temperament and Handling, Health and Anatomy, and Short Hair full groom exams. There are a total of 9 exams required to become a CFMG and am very excited to continue testing towards my CFMG status.