Leading the pack: 28-year-old business owner nearing six-month mark for second dog salon in the Valley

PALMER — Lindsey Dowling grew up in the Mat-Su Valley. She’s always loved dogs. That love went from a hobby to a passion and after a while, that passion became a thriving business with two locations.

“I’m really glad I’m doing what I’m doing,” Dowling said.

Dowling opened Paws Up Pet Salon just off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway near Manna Baptist Church in August of 2019. It’s the sister salon to her Wasilla location, The Dog Wash, an existing company she acquired four years ago.

Dowling said after her mentor Diana Rogers closed her dog salon, Diana’s Place Dog Grooming, she reopened the facility as her second business. This time, it was a fresh start so she had a lot of fun coming up with the name.

Dowling noted that building a life as a groomer/business owner wasn’t what she had in mind when she graduated from Colony High School 10 years ago or even when she in the middle of college, but she knows now more than ever that she’s on the right path.

“I just kind of ran with it and I really liked it,” Dowling said.

Holding one of her five dogs, an Australian Shepherd named Dash, Dowling said that running two businesses in the community has created a lot of opportunities for her and plenty of on the job perks.

“I get to bring my dog to work so I feel pretty spoiled,” Dowling said.

Dowling initially planned to teach French. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Languages at UAA in 2016. She realized that she didn’t like the direction education was going and grow more passionate about grooming.

“It’s funny because when people ask what I do I usually tell them I’m a dog groomer. If the conversation evolves from there and they learn I own my own business, it’s a very different conversation. If they learn I own two of them… they ask ‘how old are you?’ That’s almost always the question I get."

It started as a summer job in high school. She said she received a lot of hands-on training from Rogers. She also grew up entering her dogs in shows across the state and Lower 48, winning numerous awards with her dogs over the years.

She never stopped showing dogs and never stopped loving their company. After she got her bachelor’s degree, her father encouraged her to start her own starting her own business evolved business and she finally went for it four years ago.

“I couldn’t have done it without my dad,” Dowling said.

Loving dogs, training dogs and even showing them is a family business for Dowling. She said that she’s entered shows with her dad and sister for many years. Her mom frequently helps out around the salon. She said that her staff loves when she comes in and always ask when she’ll be there next.

“I was really good at it and I’m fast, and I knew the dogs. So, I picked it up really well. I mean, knowing dog behavior is one of the most important things,” Dowling said.

One of Dowling’s favorite things about grooming dogs is being able to turn challenging or otherwise “dramatic” dogs whole days around.

“I always try and do what’s best for the dog,” Dowling said.

Dowling runs a special at The Dog Wash every first Tuesday of the Month. Anyone can walk in for half off nail trimmings. She said they usually average 40 people each month.

“I like being able to think of things like that to help give back to my community and help out the dogs,” Dowling said.

Dowling donates to causes like Special Olympics every year. She said that she also supports local booster clubs and groups like the Elk’s Lodge.

She said that running a business has been a lot of trial and error and there’s still so much to learn but she’s glad to fill this role in the community.

“It’s made me feel good,” Dowling said.

Paws Up Pet Salon is located 1850 North Laurel Street, Palmer. For more information, call 907-745-7877.

The Dog Wash is located at 446 South Knik Goose Bay Road, Wasilla. For more information, call 907-376-9274.

Both companies have Facebook pages with updates.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com