Native Groomers Rally to Assist Ukrainian Groomer Anya Kravchuk

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Pictures by Animal Images

We’ve all heard the saying, “not all heroes put on capes.” Properly, the identical holds true in different features of heroism. Nevertheless, on this case, the saying could be adopted up with, “generally heroes put on grooming smocks.” 

Usually there are hidden heroes who come to the help of individuals inside an expert group; heroes, as a result of even the smallest act of kindness and contribution go a good distance to assist one other who, for one motive or one other, finds themselves struggling. Our fantastic grooming group is full of on a regular basis hidden heroes identical to that, and at Barkleigh’s PetQuest grooming present this previous June, whereas some didn’t even understand these heroes have been at work, the group got here collectively to assist one other groomer in want.

With the help of silent heroes like decide Susan Sholar and fellow competitors groomer Blake Hernandez, they rallied corporations like Diamondg and Cunning Roxy Provide Firm to produce a groomer in want with nail grinders, scissors, brushes and combs in order that she might fulfill her dream to compete within the U.S. 

It’s possible you’ll be asking your self, why that is so important? Who is that this groomer?

Anya Kravchuk is a Ukrainian pet groomer from the capitol metropolis of Kyiv the place she has labored for the final 12 years. She is licensed with the European Grooming Affiliation and has competed in a number of EGA grooming competitions. In 2015, she opened her personal salon in Kyiv referred to as “Grooming Territory” the place she was additionally an teacher, operating a small pet grooming academy in the identical location. Nevertheless, in March of this yr, she sadly needed to depart all the pieces behind—her household, her instruments, her livelihood—so she might flee the nation along with her five-year-old son to take refuge with a good friend right here in america after the battle in Ukraine broke out. 

Anya sat down with me at PetQuest in order that I might share her story… 

Jonathan: Good day Anya, thanks for doing this interview throughout such an clearly disturbing time in your life.  Please inform me somewhat bit about you and your loved ones. 

Anya: On the 23rd of February I had surgical procedure on my face, but it surely was not troublesome, so afterwards they let me keep at residence. The hospital was near my dad and mom’ house, so I stayed there with my five-year-old son. Within the morning, round 5AM, I out of the blue awoke due to the sound of explosions of anti-air missiles. That day we tried to purchase meals and gasoline, quick, however each retailer or petrol station was crammed by crowds in panic. Lastly we obtained some and drove a full day by reverse lane to the west of the nation. Tanks have been in all places and battle planes flew over our heads.  We have been scared due to the panic throughout. 

My husband, Sergey, has army obligation and has to struggle within the military when it’s his flip, so he can’t depart the nation. My mom, Valentina, and father, Mikhail, additionally reside in Kyiv and so they have been rejected evacuation overseas. Our three Yorkshire Terriers, Lola, Niki and Zhuzha, and my mom’s 5 Canadian Sphynxes reside collectively in my mom’s home now. I got here to the U.S. with my five-year-old son, his title is Yan. There’s a rule that no males can depart the nation in the course of the battle in Ukraine now, so we escaped solely with my son. 

Jonathan: I can’t even think about how that may really feel. Fortunately you made it out safely. What was the pet grooming trade like in Ukraine earlier than Russia invaded the nation?

Anya: We had calm and quiet routine work within the grooming trade. Normally homeowners of pets got here to get a brand new haircut no more than as soon as each two months. Baths for the small canines they often do by themselves, however medium and massive ones they carry to the salon. About 75% of our purchasers have canines of little breeds, like Maltese, Shi-Tzu, Pomeranian, Spitz or Yorkshire terriers. We groom a number of cats, too. I used to be shocked to see so many doodles within the U.S. In Ukraine it’s not a preferred breed in any respect. We now have possibly a few them, however nonetheless medium dimension. Particularly within the capital, individuals reside in flats, not in homes, that’s the reason they like small or medium breeds of canines. 

Our groomers can groom 5 – 6 canines a day. Additionally they bathe these canines by themselves; often we don’t use the assistance of groomer assistants. These days, grooming is turning into a preferred occupation. Our academy had a lot of college students who needed to open their very own salons. Virtually half of them have been from different international locations as a result of schooling in Ukraine is less expensive. 

Jonathan: Have you ever spoken to any of your groomer mates in Ukraine? How are groomers coping with what is going on within the nation and what concerning the canines there?

Anya: Many groomers escaped overseas and joined European salons. The expertise and powerful expertise make it straightforward to match with close by international locations like Poland, Turkey, Slovakia and Germany. There may be not an issue discovering work now. A few of my mates already returned as a result of they missed their households and houses, however most proceed to work in Europe. They’re additionally proud to point out their groom work. They’re joyful to get overseas expertise and evaluate all they knew earlier than. 

In Ukraine, in our trade, for the primary two months after the assault no person labored. No person wants our companies as a result of they have no idea what they may eat tomorrow. However we’ve had the battle already for 5 months now and homeowners have to handle the canines in some way. They aren’t searching for costly companies, however groomers are beginning to work once more anyhow.

Jonathan:I do know that making the choice to go away Ukraine together with your son was a really painful determination, however a obligatory one to your and your son’s security. The place are you staying within the U.S. and the way has the adjustment been for you each?

Anya: We reside in Bowling Inexperienced, Kentucky. My son began to go to a daycare middle for youths from underprivileged households or who have been hit by tornadoes. Yan likes the place, he learns English by speaking with the youngsters, and he even has mates who hug him when he goes residence. I like the endurance, help and assist of the academics, in addition to the top of the household enrichment middle. After all, my son misses his outdated mates, who, by the way in which, have scattered everywhere in the planet seeking security. Yan cries, needs to see his father, grandparents, his pets, however I’m afraid to return but. We reside now with an American household whom we met in Bowling Inexperienced. 

Jonathan: I’m so joyful you discovered a protected place. And since arriving within the U.S., you’ve competed in your first grooming competitors in america at PetQuest in Ohio just lately.  I’m positive this was a pleasant distraction from the stress. How was that have for you?

Anya: I’ve lengthy dreamed of such a contest; a world competitors with very robust opponents. However going someplace meant giving up management of the salon, canceling my classes on the grooming faculty, and abandoning a number of routine homework and a toddler. For me, it was nearly unattainable. 

Once I met Mrs. Lori Younger, the proprietor of a grooming salon in Bowling Inexperienced, I discovered that in only one month, one in every of these competitions could be held in one other state not removed from me. After all, I didn’t plan to take part then. It was exhausting for me to think about with whom I would go away my son, set up the journey to Ohio, and discover grooming instruments. In any case, I left my residence, all my grooming instruments remained at work, and nobody knew that such grief would occur and life would by no means be the identical. However Mrs. Lori and Mrs. Susan helped me clear up a number of issues. Particular thanks for judging and trying to find grooming instruments, Mrs. Susan. I need to word that I appreciated the standard of the scissors and the work of the diamond grinder, which have been kindly introduced to me. I’m extremely proud of the grooming gear. 

Jonathan: Our particular grooming group definitely is exceptional. I do know the longer term is unsure, however what else would you love to do within the grooming trade when you’re right here within the U.S.? 

Anya: I can’t plan something for an extended interval as I actually need to go residence, and I pray that the battle ends quickly. The truth that I’m alone with out relations ties my arms, at the very least when it comes to leaving my son and going to overcome different competitions in different states. 

I’m used to fixing life’s difficulties alone and I’m ashamed to typically ask for assist. I observed that I started to cry quite a bit once they supply me assist and provides presents. I perceive that I don’t know how you can settle for one thing identical to that. I obtained used to attaining it with my very own labor or pay from my very own pocket. Now I attempt to analyze a number of completely different conditions, search for logical chains, take into consideration different realities of life and be taught to reside in a different way. 

On my approach to America, there have been many individuals who betrayed, deceived and lied, however there have been additionally many good issues. From all the pieces you might want to be taught a lesson, and God will decide or reward my offenders or helpers for me.

Jonathan: Thanks for sharing your story with me. I believe I can converse on behalf of the grooming group right here and say we’re so joyful that you simply and your son made it out okay, and we want you and your loved ones continued security. ✂️





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