Barbara Szefc has had a love affair with dogs most of her life, and knew that she'd be happiest if she could find a business opportunity that would feed her passion.
One day, that opportunity literally drove by, and now she's in the growing business of mobile dog grooming.
"When I was living in the Northeast, I remember seeing a grooming van go by," said Szefc, owner of Happy Handsome Hounds. "That was my first experience with it, and I thought it was a pretty neat idea."
That was a few years ago. Now, the transplanted New Yorker drives around Acadiana with a specially-outfitted van and brings grooming services right to people's doorsteps.
"I've been in sales and service all my life," she said, "so I know how important customer service is. And after talking to some of my friends, it seemed like there was a demand for specialized and personalized services for dogs."
Szefc takes appointments by phone or by e-mail at her Web site at www.happy handsomehounds.com, and performs an array of washing and grooming services on site.
The van is self-contained and functional at any location that has a place to park. The state-of-the-art van resembles a mobile spa with heating, air conditioning, outdoor views and dual ventilation fans. It includes a stainless-steel tub area with a hydro-surge bathing system and a grooming area, both of which can accommodate different breeds.
"People who see it are pretty amazed because it's so roomy," Szefc said. "There's a lot of headroom and it's bright, and it's a quiet environment. I think people appreciate the one-on-one attention that their dogs get."
Szefc said that mobile grooming is convenient for many people who would otherwise have to drop off pets at grooming outlets. The service carries a higher price tag than those outlets, with prices determined by breed size and type, coat condition and whether clipping is required or desired. She welcomes out-of-town appointments, but a gas surcharge is added due to travel.
"I did a dog the first week for a woman that was house-bound and couldn't get around easily," Szefc said. "It was hard for her to get out and get her dog groomed. It's a great service for older dogs, dogs with arthritis and other physical problems and those that are easily stressed and don't want to sit in a cage while they wait."
Szefc has a soft spot for those animals, as well as the ones she works with as a volunteer with Lafayette Animal Aid. She and husband John, the top assistant baseball coach at the University of Louisiana, also have five Basset hounds adopted through breed rescue from three different states.
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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com
Coach John Szefc 2003-2008
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Coach John Szefc 2003-2008
Happy Handsome Hounds
Originally Posted by Turner
