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 5 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 5 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 5 dogs (Kamaji, Kenai, Cash, Kelso and BMO) and one cuddly cat named Earl. 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

 

Keyra Rodriguez, Groomer (South)

Hello! My name is Keyra Rodriguez. I have been grooming for 6 years and have one senior dog and lots of step babies in Florida. I love a transformation, so I prefer very dirty dogs, desheds and really any cat. I love to explore and travel as often as I can. One of my favorite things about living in Austin is all of the nature there is within such a small area.

 

River Lyn, Groomer (North)

Hi there, my name is River. I started my grooming journey as a Bather/Brusher and about a year later I became a groomer. I'm born and raised in the area, living only one year in a small New Hampshire city. I have 2 dogs and a betta currently. I groom any breeds and don't really have a favorite to groom but I do enjoy poms, aussies, poodles, corgis and the more unique breeds that aren't normally seen (Briards, Lagotto's, and so on). I also enjoy grooming puppies and helping them learn that grooming can be fun and enjoyable. I've gotten my AKC Safe Handling Certificate as well as CPR certified. I've taken a class to better care for Senior and Puppies while grooming through an organization called Barkleigh. I feel as a groomer one can never really stop learning as new methods and breeds are popping up regularly.

 

Christie Henrikson, NCMG Groomer (South)

Christie Henriksen, NCMG has been in the dog/grooming industry for 20 years. She started out as a junior handler and has showed/championed/grand championed Samoyeds, Bichon Frise and West Highlands White Terriers. She owned an upscale grooming salon called Uptown Pups in Littleton CO from 2009 - 2021. She has won numerous 1st placements, group placements, best all around groomer, placed in the top 3 for the last 4 years in Tom Mclaughin Super JackPot and a Best in Show. She has been ranking in the top 20 in the country for numerous years with limited entries. Christie specializes in hand scissoring, hand stripping, show grooming on Samoyeds, West Highland White Terriers and Bichons. She is passionate about teaching the dying art of hand stripping through lectures and private lessons.

 

Ella Weathers, Groomer (South)

Hi! My name is Ella. I am a dog groomer at our south location and have been grooming since 2021. I really enjoy working with bigger dogs and double coated dogs! I don't have any of my own sadly, but I have my best friend Greenie, a 7 year old Bengal. I look forward to seeing you and your best friends in the salon as well! 

 

Ada Cheng, Groomer (South)

Hello! My name is Ada and I have two anxious babies named Maple and Latte. I’ve been grooming since November 2021 and that’s when I found my passion in working with dogs. I especially love when anxious/scared dogs love me back after working together and earning their trust.

 

Colby Landry, Groomer (North)

Hello! My name is Colby! I am originally from New Orleans and I moved here to Austin just over a year ago! I have been grooming for about 2 years now. Growing up I have always loved playing and working with animals, and it was not until I started grooming dogs that I realized this is a huge passion of mine, and I would not want to be doing anything else but making dogs feel better, clean, and happy! Another one of my absolute favorite things about grooming is getting to see all the cute faces hiding behind all that hair! I have one spoiled cat named Nico who’s most definitely a dog in spirit! I love to read, thrift, watch TV, paint, hang out with friends, go paddle boarding, and just live in the moment! I can’t wait to meet your furbabies!!

 

Nanci Cardenas, Groomer (North)

I’m excited to meet your fur babies! I started my pet stylist career in late 2018. I was given a very strong foundation from a NDGAA pet stylist in the Chicago suburbs. I quickly fell in love with grooming especially with poodles and bichons. She taught me everything that I know and I continue my education constantly. I own a standard poodle name Gajeel and a mini poodle named Gine. I’d love to learn everything and anything about poodles! We go to grooming competitions all over the country. I wouldn’t the able to do it without them. I’m committed to always improve by learning new clips / patterns, and have attended numerous seminars and workshop to further my skills. In addition, I will always put the health and safety of your pet first. In my free time, I usually spend time with my poodles, finding some outlet to explore my creativity, seeking further education into grooming and of course shopping! 

 

Marbella Benito,

Groomer (South)

Hello, I’m Marbella! I was born and raised here in Austin, Tx and have been a part of the pet care industry for about 6 years now. I have done it all from daycare & boarding to being a vet tech in a small north Austin clinic and now pet grooming! I have 4 pets of my own, Mia (pit/heeler), Delilah (Shepard mix), Chapito (Havanese) and Nebula (Snowshoe). I have to thank them for coming into my life and saving it. I take pride in being knowledgeable in canine behavior/body language with your pet. I am especially passionate about making every experience as enjoyable as possible and will always choose humanity over vanity.

Outside of grooming you can find me at the gym early in the mornings and on a bodybuilding stage late in summertime. I am a proud Bikini PRO bodybuilder and advocate a healthy lifestyle, mental wellness and self-love. You can see a glimpse of both of my worlds on my Instagram @dogsanddeadliftss.