LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) – Hudson High School students are getting hands-on experience in the animal care business through Maroon Grooms, a student-led dog grooming business that has been fully operational this school year.
Laura Wise, the Ag teacher overseeing the program, highlights the multifaceted learning experience. “This teaches how to properly groom pets, how to manage a business, along with other skills they can use at a job,” Wise explains.
Students accept clients from the community, providing valuable services while gaining practical skills.
Wise, whose background is rooted in traditional agriculture with sheep, goats, and cattle, saw an opportunity to connect with a wider audience through pet care.
“Dogs are something that pretty much everyone has,” said Wise. “So the dive into small animals is your pets. I thought it is super relevant to everyone.”
The program was introduced three years ago with teachers, operating out of a small barn with limited facilities.
However, the Hudson High School board recognized the program’s potential and built a new, larger facility. This expansion has allowed Maroon Grooms to reach out and serve the wider community.
“The veterinary medicine students take ownership of the business,” said Wise. “Through this business, we get to experience different types of dogs, different temperaments. We learn about how to read paperwork, how to deal with older dogs and young dogs and hyper dogs and scared dogs. They learn how to deal with all animal types.”
Students in other animal-focused classes also contribute to the business.
“My small animal management class comes in as an assistant,” said Wise. “They do PR, they take pictures, they walk the dog, they water the dog, and then they’re going to brush out the dogs. They’ll do some nail trimming and ear cleaning to help my vet med students finish the animal in their 55-minute allotted time.”
The skills learned at Maroon Grooms extend far beyond animal care. Wise emphasizes that these students could potentially open their own dog grooming businesses and help students who are pet owners that may not have experience with pet grooming.
Copyright 2025 KTRE. All rights reserved.
