I Belong Series: Meet Noah, Pet Stylist

Pet Stylist, Noah, has been loving #LifeAtPetSmart in our salons since she graduated high school. From grooming adorable clients, transferring to different stores, and loving the teams she's been apart of—her experience within our grooming department has been one to remember "fur" sure. Check out her story of Belonging at PetSmart below!

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The Belonging Program’s “I Belong” Series harnesses the power of empathy through storytelling. This series is intended to give associates a greater sense of understanding, a bridge to gain new perspective, and a way to build connection to each other. To learn more about the “I Belong” Series or to submit your stories, please visit PetSmart's Belonging Fetch Page.

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Meet Noah | Pet Stylist

When I was 18 and completed high school, I had no idea who I was. I felt lost, secluded, alone, and confused. I lacked a sense of self and struggled to make sense of the world. So, I did what a lot of people do; I moved away. I left my comfort and family to go to an unknown environment with pocket money and the hope of connecting with myself. After settling in, I quickly realized that if I wanted to learn and grow as a person, I needed to find a job and follow my passion.

That’s when I saw a job listing for a bather position at a PetSmart near me. I instantly applied and received a call for an interview an hour later. Two weeks later, I was beginning the job of my dreams.

Working in an environment where the focus is the love, passion, health, and safety of animals was and still is all I could ask for. I worked hard and learned as much as I could each day, knowing I could grow with this company. A year later, I became a Pet Stylist at Store 1684 in Vancouver, and my world continued to shift. I was happier, more confident, and my voice was heard. My colleagues, who were initially strangers, became my family and home, and I no longer felt alone. My team was always there for me, teaching and pushing me.

Eventually, the time came for me to return home. I knew I had to surround myself with a strong, caring, passionate community, so I transferred to a new store, store 1200 in Calgary. I was nervous that my original store had been some sort of fairytale one-off, but I soon learned I was wrong. I’ve been at my new store for a year and a half, and each day feels like a fresh start, a unique opportunity. I feel welcomed, cared for, challenged, encouraged, and that I am in a safe space where I can ask questions, learn, and apply my skills and knowledge.

PetSmart is not just a company or a place to work for me; it’s a family of like-minded people. My PetSmart experience helped shape me into the person I am today. I’m forever grateful for the team that surrounded me when I was 18 and the team I am surrounded by today. There is no better sense of community through busy days, challenging days, and those weird troubleshooting days than the associates who come together as a team at PetSmart.

Check out Noah and a super cute client, Ollie, dancing away a bad hair day. 💃🏽❤️