Pay it forward program aims to make dog grooming accessible in Sussex, N.B.

A New Brunswick dog grooming business' pay-it-forward program provides cuts to those who can't afford them.

Rebecca Hetherington has been grooming dogs for the past 11 years and now she’s found a way to do things a bit differently at her shop, Designs 4 K9’s, in Sussex, N.B.

“You never know, somebody might lose a job, somebody could get sick and not be able to work, you never know,” she said. “Everybody is faced with financial hardship at times and everybody needs help at times, so I knew there was a need for it and I thought, ‘How can I help?’”

At the end of April, she and her family launched Paw Prints of Kindness, a pay it forward program that collects community donations to help make pet grooming accessible regardless of someone’s financial situation.

The idea is to keep it completely anonymous.

“I’m not here to poke in people’s business and ask financial what their situation is, but we just want to be able to help the people that need it and so they just email us and we’ll set something up and it all depends on the amount of money we’re able to raise,” she said.

In less than two weeks, Designs 4 K9’s has been able to give out one free grooming and almost has enough for a second one.

“Unfortunately, with the way things are today and our economy, money is tight for everybody. Even if you’re rich, money can be tight, so a program like this helps,” said her daughter Emily Hetherington. “I find that a lot of times, most people will look on a situation like that and say, ‘Well, why don’t you give up your animals?’ and for a lot of people, giving up their animals would be like giving up their life.”

On average, Hetherington says a grooming visit costs around $65 and is recommended every six-to-eight weeks.

Regular grooming appointments provide important health benefits, which is why it’s important they’re accessible no matter what.

“Your double coated dogs like our Golden Retriever and shepherds and stuff, they need to have proper air flow in their coat. Your coats that need haircuts, you want to avoid matting,” she said. “We also look for skin conditions, anything, your groomer is going to be able to tell if they have fleas or any new growths, anything like that.”

The goal is to provide two free grooming appointments a month and lend a helping hand and a fresh shampoo when they can.

Those interested in donating or reaching out for possible assistance can email, call or stop by the shop on Main Street.

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