Local Dog Grooming Business Has Tails Wagging
On a quiet stretch of County Road 35 outside Goshen, the day starts long before sunrise. Porch lights glow, coffee brews, and the first furry guests arrive at Greet & Treat Dog Grooming with sleepy eyes and wagging tails.
Greet & Treat is very much a family story.
“Joas and I have been married for eight years and have been blessed with three wonderful children, Jeslyn, Brendon and Allayah. They keep us on our toes and fill our home with lots of joy and energy,” says Owner Karen Miller.
The grooming space sits just steps away from the house, so the children often peek in to say hello and admire the freshly fluffed dogs.
The Millers’ path to professional grooming began in 2019, when they started raising dogs and decided to handle the haircuts themselves. Karen remembers using an old set of garage-sale clippers at first, then investing in better equipment and realizing that grooming was something they genuinely loved doing together.
In the fall of 2022, when local RV factories slowed down and life shifted for many families in the area, the Millers leaned into that new passion.
“That’s when we decided to run an ad for grooming services with a delivery option for our Amish community,” she says. “It was a big hit.”
Word spread, and the garage transformed into a well-equipped grooming salon that now serves dogs from Goshen and the surrounding lake communities.
Today, Greet & Treat welcomes big dogs, little dogs, curly coats and smooth coats alike. Karen and Joas see plenty of doodles, Maltese, Shih Tzus and Yorkies on their three main grooming days of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, when appointments begin bright and early at 5 a.m. The early hours work well for families heading to work and for neighbors in farming communities who are already starting their day.
Ask Karen which breeds she loves to work with, and she does not hesitate.
“Cavapoos and Goldendoodles are my favorite to groom,” she says. “Their coats are soft, wavy and easy to work with. Yorkies can have more temperamental personalities, but I’ve learned how to work with them too.”
Every dog, no matter the size or attitude, leaves with a treat and a kind word.
Keeping dogs calm is a shared priority for the Millers. The atmosphere is quiet and unrushed, with only a few pups in the salon at a time.
“We use hammocks for trimming paws and legs, grooming arms for stability, and we always call the dogs by their name,” Karen says. “That familiarity helps them relax.”
Greet & Treat’s full-groom appointments cover the whole dog from nose to tail. Each visit includes a bath in gentle shampoo, conditioner, blow-dry, ear cleaning, tooth brushing, nail care and a haircut tailored to the dog’s breed and lifestyle. Add-on services such as de-shedding treatments, flea and tick baths, hot-spot soaks, maintenance trims and anal gland expression are available for pups who need a bit of extra attention.
Karen is generous with tips that help pet owners keep their dogs comfortable between grooms.
“Groom your dog every 6 to 8 weeks,” she says. “Brush them after they get wet, paying attention to areas like the armpits that mat easily. Use a slicker brush and a finisher comb, and don’t bathe them more than once a week to avoid drying out their skin. For hot spots, I recommend using a shampoo with chlorhexidine.”
Regular brushing, she says, is one of the simplest ways owners can help.
Puppies get special attention at Greet & Treat, with short, positive first visits that set the tone for a lifetime of grooming.
“For puppies, early exposure is key,” Karen says. “Bathe and blow-dry them at home before their first professional groom. Take them in before mats form so their first grooming experience is pleasant. Handle their paws often so they’re used to being touched there.”
Karen also encourages pet owners to stay on a consistent schedule. When asked what helps the most, she is clear: “Stick to a regular grooming schedule. It keeps your dog comfortable and makes our job easier, which means a better experience for everyone.”
Local dog owners have taken notice of the care and consistency.
Regular client Eva Lambright shares, “I have been taking my toy poodle to Greet & Treat Grooming Services for almost a year and I have always left feeling so happy with her haircut! In my opinion, they have such a great price point considering all that a full groom includes. You will not be disappointed with Greet & Treat!”
Alicia McLeod appreciates the way the Millers work with anxious pets, saying, “Greet & Treat Dog Grooming did an excellent job with my dog. He has some anxiety and they did a great job working with him!”
Those reviews echo what the Millers hope every guest will feel.
“For us, it’s never just about the haircut,” Karen says. “It’s about building trust with every dog that comes through our door, and making their owners feel confident and cared for too. Every wagging tail, every happy client and every pup that leaves looking and feeling their best, that’s what makes it worth it. Grooming is our craft, but at Greet & Treat, it’s also our way of showing love, one dog at a time.”
For local families, that combination of skill, kindness and practicality makes Greet & Treat Dog Grooming a reassuring choice. Whether you share your home with a tiny Yorkie, a galloping doodle or a senior dog who needs a gentle touch, Karen and Joas are ready with warm voices, steady hands and a treat at the end of each visit.
Greet & Treat Dog Grooming is located at 64217 County Road 35 in Goshen. For more information, give them a call at 574-501-4080 or visit them online at greettreatgroom.com.
