We’re proud to announce the recipient of the Coastal Pet Products Grooming Scholarship in partnership with Animal Behavior College… Congratulations to Lesdi Chacon!
Lesdi’s story stood out immediately, not just for her love of animals, but for how naturally that love grew into a calling. Growing up in a difficult environment, it was her family’s puppy, Tito, who became her safe place and her first real source of comfort. That bond planted a seed that would grow for years to come.
Lesdi later landed a job at a doggie daycare, and even though the facility didn’t offer professional grooming, she began asking to bathe and brush the dogs herself every chance she got. When clients started requesting more, Lesdi was the driving force to bring on a professional groomer, who Lesdi eagerly learned from in a real world setting.
Her journey deepened when she brought home Champ, a big dog she knew she wanted for hiking and adventure companionship. When her mom was not eager to welcome in a new pet, Lesdi showed her dedication to her new family member by going so far as to sleep in her car with Champ until mom changed her mind. Her mom eventually agreed, on the condition that Champ stayed clean and the house stayed hair-free… thus grooming became the daily ritual that held their bond together.
When the daycare’s groomer eventually left, Lesdi realized just how much she still had to learn, and that’s when she knew grooming wasn’t just something she enjoyed. It was the career she wanted to build her life around.
“To many people grooming is simply about making a dog look pretty, but to me it has always been about relieving discomfort, building trust and helping every pet feel their best.”
After having multiple pets in her life teach her invaluable life lessons, today Lesdi’s love for animals reaches beyond dogs. She’s ready to turn a lifelong passion into a professional career and through the Coastal Pet Products Scholarship, she’ll now have the chance to pursue a professional grooming education and bring a new level of care to every pet she meets.
Congratulations, Lesdi! We can’t wait to see the difference you’ll make.
Keep reading to enjoy Lesdi’s scholarship winning essay and discover more about her personal journey:
“Finding My Calling, One Bath at a Time”
By Lesdi Chacon
Growing up, home wasn’t a safe place. The adults in my life couldn’t understand me, and I often felt alone. Then my family got a puppy, but what none of us expected was that he would become my safe place.
When Tito came into our lives, I poured all of my love into caring for him, and he gave me comfort in difficult times. Looking back, I realized I wasn’t just taking care of a dog – I was discovering a passion that would stay with me forever.
I once got a job at a dog daycare, and it has been the best job I’ve ever had. It never felt like work. It felt like a place where I could love and care for so many dogs at once.
Although the daycare didn’t offer professional grooming, we did offer self-serve baths. I started asking if I could bathe the dogs myself. Before long, I was bathing them and brushing them out as best as I could. Every challenge became an opportunity to learn a new skill and build trust.
Then clients began asking if we could do haircuts, but I wasn’t trained. I kept encouraging my boss to hire a groomer. Eventually, he did. Having a groomer made a huge difference. She also became a mentor to me. She taught me proper brushing techniques and nail trimming, and every time I felt more confident.
One day, I decided I wanted a dog of my own. I knew I wanted one that could keep up with my adventures. I dreamed of having a larger companion I could hike with, one who would make me feel safe. That’s when I found Champ!
Bringing Champ home wasn’t easy. My mom didn’t approve because Champ shed so much. For nearly a week, Champ and I slept in my car because I refused to give him up. Eventually, my mom agreed that I could keep him, but only if I made sure he stayed clean and the house stayed free of dog hair.
Grooming became part of our routine. It was how I cared for my best friend. Looking back, those routines strengthened the bond that we shared.
When our groomer left, there was only so much I could do without professional training. That’s when I knew grooming was the career I wanted to pursue.
My love for animals extends far beyond dogs. I also own horses, and I enjoy caring for them. Every animal that has come into my life has taught me something. Tito taught me comfort, the daycare taught me patience, and Champ taught me unconditional love.
To many people, grooming is simply about making a dog look pretty, but to me it has always been about relieving discomfort, building trust, and helping every pet feel their best.
Receiving this scholarship would give me the opportunity to turn a passion into a career. It would allow me to provide a new level of care for every animal. I hope to improve the quality of life for pets.
