Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Donna Nelson

Sevierville,TN

Summary

Compassionate and skilled Professional Pet Groomer with over 3 years of combined experience in grooming and animal care, including 1.5 years at PetSmart and 1.5 years at Sevier County Humane Society. Certified through Animal Behavior College with 100 hours of hands-on training and currently pursuing Fear Free Certification. Highly experienced working with senior pets, medically fragile animals, and fearful or anxious dogs. Dedicated to maintaining a calm, sanitary, and safe environment in veterinary and clinical settings

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Professional Pet Stylist

Petsmart
Sevierville, TN
07.2024 - Current

• Performed full-service grooming on dogs of all sizes, breeds, ages, and temperaments
• Specialized in senior dogs, nervous pets, and dogs with medical or mobility limitations
• Used calm handling and comfort techniques to reduce stress during grooming
• Completed bathing, drying, brushing, de-shedding, nail trims, ear cleaning, and breed-specific trims
• Maintained strict sanitation and safety protocols
• Identified skin, ear, and coat abnormalities and alerted pet parents

Animal Care Technician

Sevier County Humane Society
Sevierville, TN
05.2023 - 07.2024

• Provided daily care for dogs and puppies in medical or behavioral quarantine
• Handled fearful, abused, and nervous animals using patient, low-stress techniques
• Cared for litters of puppies, including feeding, cleaning, monitoring, and socialization
• Cleaned and sanitized kennels, exam rooms, and isolation areas to prevent disease spread
• Administered medications and assisted with vaccinations
• Monitored animals for signs of illness, injury, or distress and reported to director of staff
• Assisted with adoption counseling and matching pets with families

Cook

Compass Group USA
Sevierville, TN
09.2022 - 05.2023
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality, visually appealing dishes.
  • Reduced food waste significantly by implementing proper portion control and storage techniques.
  • Streamlined kitchen operations with effective communication and collaboration among team members.
  • Improved menu offerings, incorporating seasonal ingredients and innovative cooking methods.
  • Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

Cook

Advocate Aurora Health Care
Elkhorn, WI
02.2021 - 08.2022
  • Responsible for all aspects of food production for patients and retail areas for the system.
  • Responsible for the safe receiving, handling, cooking and serving of food while adhering to all safety guidelines.
  • Prepares food using a variety of kitchen utensils and equipment.
  • Ensures proper storage and rotation of inventory.
  • Follows department standards for safe food handling, storage and sanitation.
  • Monitors accurate portioning and promotes food waste control.

Food Service Assistant

Wisconsin Department Of Veterans Affairs
Union Grove, WI
03.2020 - 02.2021
  • Maintained clean, sanitized and well-organized food preparation zones.
  • Adhered to safe work practices, food safety regulations and corporate guidelines.
  • Cooked batches of food according to standard recipes.

Education

Certificate - Grooming Certification

Animal Behavior College-Professional Pet Groomer Program
06.2024

Certificate - Fear Free Certification

Groomer Certification Program-Fear Free
02-2026

Certificate - Culinary Arts

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

High School Diploma -

Union Grove High School
Union Grove, WI
06.2002

Skills

    Fear Free & low-stress handling (in progress)
    Senior & medical grooming
    Canine behavior & restraint
    Bathing, drying, brushing & de-shedding
    Breed-standard and comfort grooms
    Nail trimming & filing
    Ear & hygiene care
    Coat & skin assessment
    Kennel sanitation & disease prevention
    Medication administration
    Vaccine assistance
    Quarantine & isolation protocols
    Puppy care
    Client & adopter communication
    Record keeping

Timeline

Professional Pet Stylist

Petsmart
07.2024 - Current

Animal Care Technician

Sevier County Humane Society
05.2023 - 07.2024

Cook

Compass Group USA
09.2022 - 05.2023

Cook

Advocate Aurora Health Care
02.2021 - 08.2022

Food Service Assistant

Wisconsin Department Of Veterans Affairs
03.2020 - 02.2021

Certificate - Grooming Certification

Animal Behavior College-Professional Pet Groomer Program

Certificate - Fear Free Certification

Groomer Certification Program-Fear Free

Certificate - Culinary Arts

College Of Lake County

High School Diploma -

Union Grove High School