About THE DOG FROM IPANEMA
The team at THE DOG FROM IPANEMA is finely tuned to the vision of our founder:
"A humane facility to provide hair care for pets with a focus on comfort for the visiting guests."
It says a lot that some of our team members have been with our pet grooming service for many years. Al and Jackie have been with us for almost three decades! Annette and Kathy are approaching two decades, and Kdee has worked with our team for since she was 19. K-dee is also the new face of the company now that Jarbas and Al are sliding into retirement after 37 years. No matter how long, it feels like they’ve been a part of THE DOG FROM IPANEMA family forever.
Without great bathers and preparers, there are no great haircuts!
Jarbas Godoy
Jarbas Godoy founded the company and has contributed many positive changes to the dog grooming industry over the decades. Jarbas opened his first salon in Brazil in 1976 in Salvador, Bahia. There, he began experimenting with the way grooming services were provided to pets.
He didn’t like what he saw when it came to pet grooming. Since those days, and for the three decades, Jarbas has catered to dogs and cats in a compassionate environment. He molded the skills of incredible professionals by promoting fair, humane, and loving treatment. He has committed nothing but the best care to the pets that contribute much-needed love and peace to many of us.
These days, Jarbas supervises the team, keeping them focused on delivering the best possible care. Here, we nurture our clients in a state-of-the-art environment with brand new equipment designed with your pet's comfort and safety in mind. He is constantly introducing new tools and techniques for the continued evolution and education of "Team Ipanema."
Al Soares
Al Soares has been with us since 1992. Through his friendship with Jarbas, he developed a strong relationship with the company. Al was also Jarbas’ right-hand man for many years as well as his life-partner. He is responsible for supervising the preparation work of our clients by orchestrating all the washing, conditioning, and blow-drying.
Jackie Wosar
Jackie was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to the USA with her parents when she was three. Jackie's mother was a pet groomer and taught Jackie how to brush and bathe dogs at a very young age.
Jackie joined the Ipanema team in 1992, making her the second-most senior member of our team.
As with most of our professional team members, Jackie is an accomplished all-around groomer. Jarbas loves her work with drop-coated breeds like Shih Tzu, Maltese, Havanese, and Lhasa Apso. Jackie has also worked as a demonstrator for Purina-Ralston at local pet shows.
She was married to Worner Wosar, and her hobbies include breeding birds and growing orchids. Jackie also has a daughter, Ashley.
Kathy Jefferies
Kathy Jeffries is a graduate of the Merrifield Academy. She has been a professional groomer for over thirty years and is the proud mother of a son, Albert.
Kathy joined us in 2002 and is an essential part of our team, focusing on cutting pet's hair as per the design that the pet parents desire.
Annette Quick
Annette is a master of her craft. Jarbas was delighted when she came to work at THE DOG FROM IPANEMA. Jarbas credits her presence in the salon as a vital influence on the quality of the work we produce. After all, she was named "American Groomer of the Year" in 1999. She had an outstanding career as a competition groomer, with several international gold medal wins. She has also worked as an international judge in China, Spain, and other locations.
Many clients request her services when booking their appointment.
Victor Vegas
Victor initially worked with us several years ago. He then went to Puerto Rico to expand his dog grooming expertise. Victor returned as a full-time groomer in 2009, and we’re thrilled to have him! He felt that although he learned much about dog grooming on his own, working at the salon is "like a university," where he continues his education every day.
Kdee Veger
When you call into our dog grooming salon, Kdee is the first person to greet you. She’s worked here since 2005 and says that there’s nothing better than seeing clients leave with a wagging tail and a smile on their owner's faces.
Kdee always loved animals and has worked with them for years. From reptiles to fish and birds to small animals, and now dogs and cats, she loves them all. Animals have been, and still are, a big part of her life. She has three "kids" herself: a cat called Kat, an American Bulldog mix named Kali, and Sharky, who is a small terrier. Of course, she is Aunty Kdee to all the furry friends who come for their day at the spa. These days, Kdee is also very busy with her two children, Robert and John.