Meet the team
Kath
Founder / Owner
Senior Dog Stylist
Meet Kath, the dog-loving diva behind The D Dog! With a background that’s as varied as a mixed-breed mutt, she’s transitioned from ski resorts and hospitality to retirement management and marketing—talk about a career hop! Now, she’s your go-to international dog grooming pro who’s got more tricks up her sleeve than a magician at a puppy party.
Kath knows the ins and outs of every breed trim, and she’s got an arsenal of products that’d make even the pickiest pup wag their tail in approval. She's got a serious passion for animal welfare and the environment—because says you can’t save the planet while fluffing a poodle? The salon is eco-friendly, so your pooch can strut out looking fabulous and feeling like a superhero for Mother Earth!
At The Dapper Dog, our mission is simple: we want your furry friend to love their grooming session as much as they love chasing their own tail. Most of our regulars come bounding in, tails wagging, ready for their pamper party—because who doesn’t love a good spa day?
When Kath isn’t busy turning dogs into runway models, you’ll find her out adventuring with her two Miniature Schnauzers, Mabel and Macy, exploring nature or hunting down the best dog-friendly hangouts. Remember, at The Dapper Dog, we believe every pup deserves a fabulous groom and a whole lot of love!
Professional Dog Groomer
Kadie
Kadie, hailing from the charming Kelly country Northern Victoria, kicked off her dog obsession journey at the tender age of five when her family adopted a Rottweiler—a part protector, part fluffy bodyguard, and full-time best buddy. Fast forward to their family farm, where Bandit the Kelpie became less of a farmhand and more of a-legged couch potato, perfecting his lounging skills instead of herding.
After a brief stint in retail in Melbourne, Kadie realized her life was missing a crucial ingredient: dogs! So, she snatched up her certificate in Animal Care and later bagged her Doging Certificate 3 like a pro. Now, she’s the go-to grooming gal, transforming pups into total dapper dogs.
When she’s not busy fluffing fur getting her zen on with yoga, you’ll find her unleashing her creativity or frolicking in nature with her sidekick, Puggy the Pug, who believes’s the true master of the house. After all, who needs a throne when you have a cozy couch and endless belly rubs?
Professional Dog Groomer
Mariah
Mariah started your career in vet nursing and dog boarding, but then thought, “Why not mix my love of animals with my inner creative genius?” Enter: dog grooming.
When she’s not transforming scruffy pups into polished pooches, you’ll probably find her holding a shaky plank in Pilates, wandering art galleries looking extra cultured, or laughing too loudly with friends.
She loves working with dogs because they’re pure love on four legs, and she’s passionate about helping them feel safe and comfortable—even when the clippers sound scarier than they really are. And if Mariah’s ever having a tough day, one happy wag or goofy grin from her furry clients is enough to turn it all around.
Grainne
Professional Dog Groomer
Pronounced Gron-ye
Meet Grainne, our dog grooming dynamo who made the leap from Vet Nurse to pet stylist extraordinaire! With her Cert III in Pet Grooming under her belt since 2021, she’s transformed her love for furry friends into a full-time gig, turning scruffy pups into show-stopping canines faster than you can say "fluffy!"
Originally from Ireland, Grainne has traveled the globe, don’t worry—she always comes back to us, ready to tackle the next grooming challenge like a superhero with a pair of clippers. She gets genuinely excited when new furry clients come through our doors, and let’s be honest, it’s not to love a person who treats every dog like royalty.
When she’s not busy giving your pups the makeover of their dreams, you can find her out and about as the social butterfly—sipping coffee with, planning her next travel adventure, or taking her adorable Bulldog, Belle, for a stroll. Rumor has it, Belle is the real diva in this duo! So, whether your dog needs a trim or a total transformation, Grainne's got the skills to make it happen with style!
CJ
Professional Dog Groomer
CJ: the queen of canine cuddles and champion of warm smiles! With a heart as big as her passion for animals, she’s been surrounded furry friends since day one—dogs, cats, and even a horse (yes, she’s basically a walking petting zoo).
Starting her journey as a bather, she trained under Kath, transforming into a full-time grooming wizard with skills so amazing, she should come with a cape!
When she’s not busy pampering the Dapper Dog, CJ loves to roll up her sleeves and get into some serious training action on the weekends. Picture her leading a squad of eager pups through agility courses while trying to keep her own energetic puppy, Ember, from stealing the show—or the treats! And let’s not forget her family's Sheltie, who’s probably plotting world domination one cute bark at a time.
Armed with her Cert II in Animal Studies and a Certificate in Canine Care and Training, CJ is here to bring a whole lot of love into your pets' lives! With CJ around, your furry friends are not just getting groomed; they’re getting the best care possible!
Shanae
Trainee Groomer
From the time Shanae could walk, she’s been more interested in animals than toys—if it had four legs, she wanted to be around it. Dogs quickly became her favourites (probably because they’re smart, funny, and sometimes steal snacks).
Shanae became a groomer because she’s a big believer in animal welfare and knows that skin and coat health are just as important for a dog’s wellbeing as zoomies and cuddles. Grooming also gives her the chance to get creative—think of her as part stylist, part spa therapist, and part hype-girl for shiny coats.
When she’s not busy making scruffy pups look fabulous, you’ll probably find Shanae at the gym, outdoors exploring, or socialising (where she’ll most definitely end up talking about dogs).
At home, she’s got Lexi, her Border Collie x Kelpie, who keeps life adventurous and full of energy. And fair warning—if you have a miniature dachshund, expect Shanae to squeal with excitement. She’s obsessed.
Trainee Groomer
Steven
Starting in October 2025
Michelle
Casual Bather
Michelle, our bathing superstar who first strutted into The Dapper Dog Grooming & Spa in 2019 with a heart as big as a Great Dane, is back and ready to make tails wag! After a brief break the when we shut down during the pandemic, she’s returned to sprinkle her magic and ensure every pup walks out looking like a superstar.
A fun-loving attitude and a knack for chatting (seriously, we can hear her before we can see her), she not only grooms but also entertains! No dog leaves without feeling like a million bucks and we suspect they all leave with a few giggles.
When she’s not busy making furry friends fabulous, you can find her wrangling her three kids and keeping her senior sidekick, the Jack Russell x Cavoodle, from stealing all the spotlight. We’re pretty sure Chelsea thinks she runs the place!
Michelle’s warmth and dedication make her an essential part of our Dapper Dog family, and we’re so happy to have her back—let the bathing fun begin! 🐾
Kaziah
Casual Bather
Kaziah grew up in a mini-zoo of pets and decided early on that animals were her people. She once dreamed of becoming a vet—until the sight of blood had her running for the hills. Luckily, she discovered grooming: the perfect mix of furry friends and creativity without the medical gore.
Her mission? To help dogs feel as fabulous as they look, because let’s be real—they spend their lives making us feel amazing.
At home, Kaziah has three gorgeous dogs: Snow, Teddy, and Gilbert (who proudly rocks the title of “hairy hairless”). When she’s not pampering pups, she’s probably perfecting her latest nail art masterpiece or getting lost in something equally creative.
Kenzie
Junior Bather
Meet the animal whisperer who started her pet-sitting empire at just 11 years old!
With a Certificate III in Animal Care (Pet Grooming) tucked under her belt, she ditched school faster than a cat can knock over a glass.
At home, she’s got Trigger the Labrador, Oreo the Border Collie, and a feline trio named Fanta, Toffee, and Zipper—plus a tiny mouse named Pig, because why not? Fun fact: Oreo and Zipper were once pet sitting clients, but they loved her so much they decided to move in permanently!
When she’s not busy looking after our Dapper Dog pups, she’s off camping around Australia or jet-setting to new countries, probably with a dog or two in tow.
