The Zen Groomer

Shannon Duggan – Owner & Head Groomer
Four Paws Only, Dracut, MA

My name is Shannon Duggan. I am the owner of Four Paws Only, a grooming shop located in Dracut, MA. I was a long-time employee of 20 years before I took ownership 9 years ago. Therefore, I have been working as a groomer at Four Paws Only for the last 29 years!

Prior to the shop my grooming career started at the age of 13 as a bather. I apprenticed under a groomer who bred Standard Poodles. She taught me my basic grooming skills. I worked under her kennel prefix LYnMar Kennels. I continued grooming, showing her standard poodles and competed in junior showmanship. In my early years as a groomer I did competition grooming, showed my own standard poodles and Co-owned a miniature poodle who’s show career took him all the way to Westminster Kennel Club in 1997! I have taken part in many dog sports, including agility and dock diving with my own dogs. I have bred golden retrievers under the prefix Zengoldens!

Certifications and Specializations:
Here at Four Paws, we pride ourselves on being a fear free facility. I’m proud to be Fear-Free Certified in both grooming and dog daycare, and I’m also AKC SAFE Certified. I earned my CCE in Pet Cosmetology this year, and I’m currently working towards becoming a Certified Pet Aesthetician through the ISB program. My goal is to complete that certification over the next few years, which includes attending a workshop and wet lab with Dr. Cliff Faver, DVM, in Arizona. Additionally, I have completed courses at the Whole Pet Grooming Academy, including receiving the following diplomas:

  • Master Pet Aesthetician Diploma
  • Therapeutic Pet Aesthetician Diploma
  • Master of Holistic Arts Diploma
  • Master of Canine Science Diploma

I share my home with my dog and Bailey James, my four cats Azul, Bleu, Eleanor, Denver and my nine-year-old daughter, Tallulah. I love what I do! My hope is that I can continue doing so into retirement. I am very interested in therapeutics for pets and that is where I hope to lead my practice these next few years!