Far North’s best dog groomer of 2023 revealed

Sometimes doubling as a canine therapist, this multi-award winning pet stylist says her success comes down to the connection she shares with each pup that walks through her door.

Award-winning dog groomer Tara Tinsey of Cute as a Button dog grooming with her four Cocker Spaniels Olive, Bentley Maple and Winston at the home salon in the Goldsborough Valley. Picture: Brendan Radke

A multi-award winning pet stylist has been crowned Far North’s best dog groomer, claiming her success boils down to her special connection with each pup.

Cairns Post readers have crowned Cute as a button Dog Grooming owner and pet stylist Tara Tinsey as Far North Queensland’s best dog groomer in a recent poll.

Ms Tinsey was elated when she heard she had won the vote.

“I was so excited, I had tears in my eyes,” Ms Tinsey said.

“It’s like winning an Academy award,” she laughed.

The Goldsborough Valley business owner said she tailors every appointment to match the dog’s personality and individual needs, almost doubling as a canine therapist.

“Every pet is special,” Ms Tinsey said

“If you’ve got a quiet or shy dog you might play softer music, while some of the more energetic dogs I have bit more of a dance party.

Award winning dog groomer Tara Tinsey of Cute as a Button dog grooming gives her Blue Roam Cocker Spaniel Olive a blow dry and brush, after shampooing her fur at the home salon in the Goldsborough Valley. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The really lovely stories are the dogs that come in and are generally scared and frightened but leave wanting to come back.

“I love that everyday is different, because every dog’s personality is different,” she said.

Ms Tinsey, who began pet grooming more than a decade ago, is working her way to master groomer status, the world’s highest level of accreditation, with just under 20 award wins and titles under her belt.

“It’s funny, like the dog show world, there’s this whole other world of competitive pet grooming, it’s a big thing,” she said.

While she continues to progress her own career, Ms Tinsey also lends her expertise to up and coming pet groomers through her training centre.

“I love it, I love being able to share what I’ve learnt and seeing others grow,” she said.

“Now I’ve been doing this so long, it’s my highlight, it’s the next level I guess – to be able to share that knowledge.”

Originally published as Far North’s best dog groomer of 2023 revealed