During the heat of a Peoria summer, keeping pets safe and comfortable requires more than just love and attention—it requires knowledge, experience, and a great deal of care. That’s exactly what local dog groomer and business owner Jeneh Young brings to the community through her unique grooming space, Doggy & Bark Co. (DoggyandBark.com), designed to provide pets with personalized care.
“I have been a groomer for 23 years, and I wanted to bring a unique experience to grooming,” Young says. “A place where pets can come in and feel safe and comfortable. We make every pet our priority while they are in our care.”
A Passion for Pets and Community
Originally from Washington State, this passionate pet lover has called the Peoria/Surprise area home for years. In addition to being a skilled groomer, she’s a devoted mother of four who enjoys camping, gardening, cooking, and baking sourdough.
In her professional life, it’s clear that her true calling is helping dogs feel their best.
“It brings me immense joy when pets come in wagging their tails and are so excited to see me,” explains Young. “Making puppies look and feel their best and leave feeling confident and happy is my main goal.”
Creating Calm for Anxious Pets
Young’s grooming philosophy is grounded in compassion and personalization. At her salon, dogs receive one-on-one attention, which minimizes the stress of long hours in crates or noisy group settings. This individualized care is particularly beneficial for anxious pets, as Young and her team give each pet the space and time to trust the grooming process.
“I love that my team and I have facilitated an environment where anxious pets can learn to trust grooming, no matter what level of experience they’ve had before,” says Young.
Grooming as a Health Essential
As Arizona temperatures soar during summer, dog owners must take extra precautions to protect their furry friends from the heat. That's where grooming becomes more than cosmetic—it’s a vital part of keeping dogs healthy and comfortable.
“A well-groomed pet is a comfortable pet,” explains Young. “Keeping them deShedded or getting regular haircuts helps them regulate their body temperature.”
She offers these grooming tips by coat type:
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Hair breeds (poodles, Maltese, Yorkies, Shih Tzus): To prevent matting, use a wire slicker brush and a greyhound comb.
“Because they have hair instead of fur, it can mat very easily just as our own hair would without regular brushing,” Young explains. -
Fur breeds with undercoats (huskies, golden retrievers): Regular brushing with a slicker brush, deShedding tool, and greyhound comb is essential. “The undercoat can build up and become impacted, which causes discomfort and overheating,” Young warns.
Matting is one of the most common grooming issues in summer, especially for dogs that swim frequently. “Hair mats more easily when it’s wet,” explains Young. “It’s so important to dry and brush pets after bathing or swimming, or give them a shorter, more manageable haircut. Humanity before vanity."
Summer Safety Tips for Every Pet Parent
Frequent brushing, bathing, detangling, and the right haircut help dogs stay cool, clean, and mat-free, particularly if your pet is an outdoor adventurer or pool lover.
In addition to proper grooming, summer pet care includes some simple but often overlooked daily habits.
“The most important things are access to shade and clean water 100% of the time,” Young advises. “Always check the pavement with your hand before walking your pet. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.”
Walks are best in early mornings and late evenings. Pet booties protect paws, and pad balms moisturize skin to help prevent cracks or burns.
Young also urges pet parents to recognize signs of heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion and stroke. Those signs include drooling, heavy panting, red gums, an elevated heart rate, and lethargy.
“If a pet is overheated, move them to a shaded area, use cool (not freezing) water and fans to help. But in an emergency, contact a vet immediately,” Young explains.
As the heat fades, Young suggests gradually regrowing longer coats to have pets looking fluffy and photo-ready for the holidays.
Inside-Out Care: Nutrition for Skin and Coat
Beyond grooming and safety, nutrition plays a role in healthy skin and a shiny coat.
“I highly recommend a pumpkin supplement or plain old canned pumpkin,” says Young. “Fish oil is a great supplement for pets. Dosage instructions are based on weight. Cooked eggs are good for pets' skin as they're high in protein, linoleic acid, and vitamin A.”
A Trusted Partner for Peoria Pet Owners
Young offers more than grooming—she’s a trusted guide for pet parents in Peoria. She provides expert care, personalized tips, and a calming environment that keeps pets happy, healthy, and confident all year.
Doggy & Bark Co. Pet Grooming is conveniently located in the Ventana Lakes Village Center in Peoria.
Sydnee Wilson | @sydneerosewilson
Sydnee is a Peoria-based creative with a journalism, copywriting, and social media background. A graduate of ASU’s Cronkite School, her writing focuses on lifestyle, travel, and nature. She’s probably riding horses, trail running with her dogs, or planning her next adventure when she's not writing.
As Arizona temperatures soar during the summer months, dog owners must take extra precautions to protect their furry friends from the heat.