Chiloe Hunt, owner of The Animal House, Professional Pet Groomer

Hunt, 35,  was born and raised in Cohoes.  She is one of seven brothers and sisters. 

She received an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Hudson Valley Community College and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from SUNY Oneonta.

Hunt is certified by the New York School of Dog Grooming.  She has worked as a professional pet groomer at Pet Spas of America in Latham, and Petcetra, also in Latham.  In 1999, Hunt opened The Animal House pet grooming salon in Cohoes, where she has built a very successful business in the growing community.

Hunt participated in her second grooming competition in November 2007 at the “New England Pet Grooming Professionals (NEPGP) Fall Festival” in Rhode Island.  She placed 2nd in the Terrier entry-level division for her skills in hand-stripping her own Welsh Terrier, Cracker.  She also placed 4th in the sporting division for her skills in grooming an English Springer Spaniel, Jagger.

Hunt is one of few groomers in the Capital Region and outlying communities who are proficient in the skill of hand stripping.  She works with breeders, groomers and professional handlers from New York and Massachusetts to strengthen her knowledge of particular breeds.  She has used these skills to groom pets, as well as dogs used in the show ring.  She is also proficient in animal CPR.

Hunt is a member of International Pet Groomers, Inc., and the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce.  She participates in continuing education programs several times a year, and is an avid reader of canine health and grooming information.  She also participates in community events in Cohoes and other communities/schools to educate pet owners about the importance and health benefits of grooming.  Hunt has used her grooming expertise to train other area groomers through apprenticeships and volunteering.  She has also fostered many animals and found them loving, forever homes.

Hunt lives in Cohoes with her husband, Jeff; daughters, Andraya and Ellerie; son, Owen; and three dogs, Timmy (Bichon), Cracker (Welsh Terrier), Sally (Border Terrier), and their newly rescued Pomeranian (yet to be named).