Meet our Team

We love them, and so will you!

 

Nancy Rich-Gutierrez, Owner

Hi, I am Nancy, the owner and founder of As the Fur Flies. I am originally from the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, but I got to warmer weather as soon as I could! I graduated from the Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology, and I have an MBA and MS from Baylor University. I worked in technology for many years and try to bring those efficiencies into the salon to make our work easier. While I am not grooming much anymore, my favorite grooms to do are cats or double-coated shedding dogs like Golden Retrievers. In my free time, I enjoy competing with my Arabian horses at horse shows and hanging out with my kids and husband. You’ve probably seen them around one of the salons! I am so proud to support this team of talented, compassionate groomers here in Austin!

 

Gavyn Freeman,

NCMG Groomer &

Educator

(North)

Hello, my name is Gavyn Freeman! I was born and raised right here in Texas and have 4 pups of my own. I am an Award-Winning Competitive Groomer and I have a variety of Safety and Breed certifications including AKC Safety, AKC Poodle, AKC Bichon, Dog & Cat CPR, Pet First Aid, and more! I am a National Certified Master Groomer and Educator. I often teach and host continuing education events for groomers here in Central Texas. Additionally, I am a member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America, and in my spare time I am an owner/handler and love to show my Kerry Blue Terrier and American Cocker Spaniel in the AKC. I have been featured in Southern Living Magazine, and I am an ambassador for Groomer Supply House and Botaniqa. You can see most of my work on Instagram @GroominGavyn! I love all breeds of dogs but my favorites to groom are Poodles, Bichons, Terriers, and American Cocker Spaniels!

 

Jaclyn Guyette, CFMG Cat Groomer (North)

Hello! My name is Jaclyn Guyette. I love spending time with my husband, daughter Willow, son Oliver and my 4 cats. I am the only Certified Feline Master Groomer through the National Cat Groomer Institute in Central Texas and am certified in pet first aid/CPR and Fear Free. Before I started grooming, I was a veterinary technician for 8 years. I love spending my free time camping, learning creative cat grooming techniques or going to the beach.

 

Adrian Villalpando,

Manager

(North)

Hello! My name is Adrian Villalpando and I am the salon manager at our north location. I am AKC Safety, Pet CPR, Fear Free Certified and love helping with day-to-day operations at the salon! I enjoy working with customers and making sure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. I enjoy seeing everyone’s pups come in everyday! I myself have 4 dogs: Kenai, Cash, Kelso and BMO. I feel so lucky to work with very talented and passionate pet professionals. One of my favorite things about being in the salon is the before and after transformations. Seeing the clients faces light up with joy is always so rewarding because I know how big our impact is in the community. We can’t wait to meet you!

 

Jessica Zavala,

Manager, (South)

Hello, I’m Jessica! I am a Texas native, and spend my free time going to punk shows, traveling, and hiking with my three dogs Bucket the Pitbull / cattle dog, Danzig the pug, and my sassy senior chihuahua named Banshee. I manage the South location and been grooming for about 17 years. I am CPR and Fear Free certified. My specialty is (but not limited to) working with senior pets and helping them look their best in their golden years!  Working with them is my passion, and I am a huge advocate for senior dog rescue. 

I also enjoy working with fearful / spicy dogs that need some extra reassurance, tiny breeds, and introducing puppies as well. A few breeds that tug extra hard at my groomer heartstrings are any wild haired terrier mix, Yorkies, Pitbulls, Basset Hounds, Pugs, and Shih Tzus.

I am a firm believer in putting your pup’s health and well-being first, I take my time getting to know each dog on my table and earning their trust. This is something I try to instill in our team! We love to help educate pet parents when it comes to frequency of visits, products, tools, and techniques that can help them keep pups happy and well maintained at home. 

Message or email the shop to book your pups with me!

You can see some of my work on Instagram @grooms_by_jessica_atx

 

Hannah Reichel

Groomer (North)

Hi there! My name is Hannah Wikan and I am a pet stylist of 6 years and 3rd generation artist. As I enjoy grooming I also enjoy fine art from painting to knitting to sculpting and I try to reflect that passion into my daily work at the salon. I also own two mischievous, jubilant long haired cats named Rigby and Benji who are my pride and joy. Continuing education is a pivotal factor into my development as a stylist so you will often see me at seminars and shows which I aspire to be a part of soon! I’m so excited to work with you and your pet and help create a pawsitive grooming experience. You can find my grooming page on Instagram @Hannahsgroooming

 

Wes Dongarra, Groomer (South)

Hey y’all! My name is Wes and I am a groomer at the south location. I’ve been a bather for 5 years but recently started learning how to groom in February of ‘22. Having that background gave me a really solid foundation and I’m happy to have such an amazing team to help me learn and grow! I love furthering my education through classes and seminars. I really enjoy grooming double-coated dogs with a good de-shed bath, as well as doodles and poodles! My favorite part of this job is getting to know you and your pup to create that special bond. I’m looking forward to meeting you! You can see my work on instagram @Westwoof_Grooms

 

Beano Liggett, Groomer (North)

Hey there! I'm Beano, and I'm excited to be in my second year of grooming, with three years of experience working with dogs. I’m so lucky to have a job where I get to work with dogs in a salon that cares about them just as much as I do! My favorite pups to groom are doodles and poodles, but I also love a good de-shed or outline trim. One of my favorite parts of the job is introducing puppies to grooming and making sure their first experience is a positive one. I’m really into creative grooming too, and I’m always up for trying something fun and new! At home, I’ve got my little 12-year-old terrier mutt named Lucky, and my standard poodle, Parker!

 

Andy Hernandez, Groomer (North)

I have been a committed-to-the-lifestyle dog groomer for 9+ years! Over time, I've gravitated towards my breed-specific or more pristine/high maintenance dogs with styling preferences and working with senior and fearful dogs. All animals are different and many need the extra support, reassurance, and a bit more time to work with. My passions are getting fur babies used to the necessary workings within grooming and operating in accordance with their quirks and sensitivities while providing quality styling.

 

Christie Henriksen, NCMG Groomer (South)

Christie Henriksen, NCMG, has been in the dog grooming industry for 20 years. She began as a junior handler and has shown, championed, and grand championed Samoyeds, Bichon Frise, and West Highland White Terriers. Christie owned an upscale grooming salon called Uptown Pups in Littleton, CO, from 2009 to 2021.

She has won numerous first-place awards, group placements, and Best All-Around Groomer accolades. Additionally, she has placed in the top 3 for numerous times in the Tom McLaughlin Super Jackpot and has earned a Best in Show title. Christie is a Groom Team USA member and was the Top 10 in 2023 on Groom Team USA.

Specializing in hand scissoring, hand stripping, and show grooming for Samoyeds, West Highland White Terriers, and Bichons, Christie is passionate about teaching the art of hand stripping through lectures and private lessons.

 

Ada Cheng, Groomer (South)

Hello. My name is Ada and I have two pups name Maple and Latte. I started grooming in November 2021, and since then, I've become Fear Free Certified and AKC S.A.F.E. certified, both of which guide my approach to creating positive grooming experiences for every pup.
I love working with double-coated breeds, whether it's giving them a thorough de-shed or an outline trim. My greatest joy comes from building trust with anxious pups, seeing them relax over time, and knowing that I'm making a difference in their comfort and well-being.
My future goal is to be able to rescue a lot of animals and help as many animals as I can.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with pups everyday.

 

Kat Aguirre, Groomer (North)

Hi, I’m Kat! I’ve been working with animals for over 18 years, and it’s truly my life’s passion. I started out fostering pets of all kinds—a commitment I still proudly keep today. Over the years, I’ve worked in pet daycare, animal retail, and veterinary clinics, but grooming is where I found my heart. I spent over 10 years grooming cats and have been focused on dogs for the past 4 years. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping pets feel their best and seeing the happiness it brings their families. Every animal I work with is treated with love and the care they deserve. My wife and I share a deep love for animals, and we spend as much time as we can with our five dogs—camping, swimming, and just enjoying life outdoors together. When I’m not grooming, I’m either drawing or getting cozy with a good movie—especially anything Disney (yes, I’m a total Disney nerd at heart!). Grooming isn’t just a job for me—it’s who I am. And I’m so grateful to live a life filled with love, creativity, and animals.

 

Morgan Bailey, Groomer (South)

I was born and raised in Texas and have been grooming since 2010, and moved to Austin in 2015 to seek out more opportunities to grow my skills both professionally and personally. To this day, moving here has been the best decision I've ever made. At work, my biggest drive is education, technical understanding (the hows and whys), and ethical handling of sensitive and fearful dogs. Both in and outside of the salon, I believe "The dog is not giving you a hard time, the dog is having a hard time", and it's our responsibility as caretakers of these animals to ensure their needs are being met in a calm and empathetic manner. I love grooming curly coats, and Asian fusion inspired teddy bear cuts!

Outside of work, I study injury rehabilitation and kinesiology. My passion is internal and external wellness via movement and emotional expression. I love taking care of my plants, cooking, hiking, swimming, philosophy and art.

You can see my work on my Instagram @moxxi.dogg.grooming, and I look forward to meeting you!

 

Ivy Matheson, Groomer (South)

Hi there, I’m Ivy! I’m a groomer at our South location. I’m an Austin native who enjoys EDM shows and I love doing make-up. I have a 2 year old dog named Keebo who is a Pitbull / Chow-Chow / Mini Poodle mix.
I have been working with dogs for approximately three years, with two of those years spent in a grooming environment. My passion lies in the art of dog grooming, and I am committed to advancing my knowledge by participating in classes and seminars. My favorite part of this job is seeing fearful pups gain their confidence over time and start to open up. My boy Keebo can be a pretty anxious guy, and he’s taught me a lot about patience and working with nervous pups. I treat every dog how I would want someone to treat mine! I really look forward to meeting you and your fur babies and giving them the spa days they deserve!

 

Kat Arruda, Groomer (South)

Meet Kat, our talented groomer. Kat is a recent transplant from Colorado, now residing in Bastrop with her husband, son, and their two Westies, Nessie and Njuggl. As a Nationally Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) with nearly two decades of experience, she is dedicated to continuous education through seminars and workshops. Kat has competed in grooming contests and AKC Confirmation shows with her Westies, as well as with her late dog Talyn, who accompanied her on numerous demonstrations and travels. Her expertise lies in hand stripping and grooming Poodles. She is always eager to assist and educate our newer groomers, answering any questions they may have. While Kat works with us part-time, she also runs her own mobile business, Kat’s Mobile Dog Salon, which serves the Bastrop area. If you're interested in exploring more of her work, be sure to check out her Instagram: Katsmobiledogsalon