Hi, I’m Heather

My history and love for dogs started when I was 14. I’ve now been grooming dogs for over 27 years. 

At the age of 14, I went to the local pet hospital/dog grooming business, which was 2 blocks from my home and was hired to clean animal kennels for them. During the 4 years i was there, they taught me a lot about the veterinary industry.  I decided after graduating high school to go to Ridgewater College to receive my Veterinary Technician degree. During my college years I worked for a local veterinary clinic in Willmar who hired me on after I graduated. I worked for them for 7 years honing all the skills I had learned. At that time in life, I was having a family and decided to go work for Fedex Ground. At FedEx, becoming the Senior Administrative clerk gave me a great opportunity to learn how to manage a business. As I was working for FedEx, I was also grooming dogs out of my home on the side.  In the summer of 2013 my dog grooming business out of my home became extremely busy. It became obvious that this was going to be sustainable full-time and allow for me to do what I love: working with dogs.

In 2016 the dog grooming business kept growing, which enabled me to hire on another full-time groomer. With 2 additional groomers working full-time, I was able to buy a building for the Groom Zone to continue to grow. My goal for this business is and will always be to help and support our communities families with their 4-legged friends. I believe I have been blessed with this calling for my life and I love going into work to be able to love what I do.

Meet Ashley & Morgan

Morgan is my best friend and one of five of my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I'm a professional dog groomer and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel enthusiast. I have a veterinary technology degree which allows me to have a variety of knowledge in relation to dogs. I have loved dogs my entire life!

I grew up in New London MN and after graduating high school there, I went on and graduated from the Veterinary Technology Program at Ridgewater College in Willmar. I then had the opportunity to do an internship at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. I worked at a veterinary clinic for a bit where I realized I wanted to fulfill my desire to work as a dog groomer. So, in 2011 I took a job at Petsmart in St. Cloud MN where I completed their grooming academy and was trained in all breed dog grooming. I worked at Petsmart for 5 years.

In 2016, I had a great job opportunity to work in a private grooming salon, Groom Zone, in my hometown of New London MN where I have been ever since! In my spare time you can find me with my son and my pack of cavaliers.

Hi, I’m Erika

My name is Erika Kruzel and I am from Vergas, MN.  I came to Willmar 3 years ago to attend Ridgewater College. I started in the vet tech program but will be graduating this spring from the marketing and sales program with a communications certification. I grew up on a farm, where my love for animals began.  In high school, I was in FFA for 4 years  where I showed goats from our farm. I worked at the vet clinic in Perham, MN for 3 years where I cared for the dogs that were boarded at the clinic.  I have an amazing cavalier named Zeke. He loves making new fury friends and likes cuddles. I also have a cat named Bella who loves her treats and has a dyed blue tail. 

Meet Aztec & Jade

Aztec is my Border Collie who loves his candy corn stuffed toy. I have been around dogs my entire life. In high school, I helped my mom and a close friend with breeding a variety of dog breeds including Shih Tzus, Miniature Pinschers, Australian Shepherds, and Border Collies. I am a KMS high school graduate in 2018, and started a grooming internship under Shannon at Four Paw Spa in Willmar in the fall of 2019 and worked there until 2021. I started working  part time at both Groom Zone and Four Paw Spa and now work full time at the Groom Zone along with Shannon and others that are assisting me to increase my grooming skills. In my free time I enjoy riding horses, being outside on the farm and spending time with friends.