Caitlin Merrifield, a 10th-grade student from the Seneca FFA chapter in Kentucky, describes her SAE project in pet grooming at Houndstooth and Cat's Meow. Her responsibilities include cleaning kennels, bathing dogs, trimming fur and nails, and maintaining facility cleanliness, while building relationships with regular canine clients and learning about different dog breeds. She addresses the challenges of working in the pet care industry as a young employee and explains how this hands-on experience supports her goal of becoming a professional dog groomer, while also encouraging other students to pursue FFA for its leadership development and community aspects.
