Hi there,
I’m Christy.
I’m the owner and groomer at Heart Dog.
My Story
My name is Christy Oja. I decided to go into pet grooming because of my love for animals, especially dogs. I have been grooming for over twenty years and specialize in a calm, gentle approach. Each dog is treated as if it were my own with personalized care and safety being my number one priority.
My mission with Heart Dog Grooming is to again provide a safe, quiet, stress free atmosphere for your pet. Your dog(s) will be treated as if it were my own, with calm and loving care. In return, I gain the love and trust of these special animals.
Continuing education is important to me to stay up to date in current styles, safety, and gentle handling techniques. I do this by attending seminars, grooming expos, and in the past, competing and placing in grooming competitions. I am a member of the Intellectual Grooming Association and the National Pet Groomers Association along with completing a canine esthecision course and becoming certified in pet first aid, AKC Safety, and fear free grooming.
virtual tour
The Shop
My Story (continued)
I am the former owner of Wiggles & Wags Pet Salon in West St. Paul, MN. It was a dream come true and was named after my first dog, a Shih-Tzu, Maynard Wags to Wiggles, ‘Wags’. My passion for grooming with a calm, gentle, stress free approach led it to be successful for almost fourteen years. This helped build a loyal clientele where both owners and pets were like family to me. It was a tough decision but decided to sell in January 2019 to support my husband’s career and move out east.
My husband and I have been married for eighteen years. We don’t have children, but have been blessed with our ‘heart’ dogs both past and present. You can learn more about them in the ‘My Heart Dogs’ section below. We are enjoying making this beautiful area home. My hobbies outside of grooming include training/classes/sports with my dogs, camping, running and piano.
Having dogs of my own I know how difficult it can be to leave them in a strangers hands. I hope learning a little about me, my pets, and my salon throughout this website will make the process easier for you. You can be assured they will receive the best care and pampering possible.
my home team
meet my Heart Dogs
MISCHKE
Mischke is the newest addition to our family, he, like Glacier, is a Berger Blanc Suisse, translates to White SWISS Shepherd. He is one year old and a perfect fit to our little fam. Glacier just loves him. Right now we are doing basic training with him. He is so smart, lovable, and the bravest little guy. We may dabble a bit in UKC showing with him.
Glacier
Glacier, her full name is Glacier Moon Dances with Wolves. She is a six year old Berger Blanc Suisse, translates too White SWISS Shepherd. She is the most intelligent breed we have ever owned and thrives to learn. We enjoy teaching her many tricks, and obedience training. She loves doing nose work, dock jumping and doggy parkour. She loves her people and is full of kisses and cuddles. If we can get her past her being unsure of new people we will eventually do therapy work as well. Glacier has her own spot at Heart Dog Grooming and will be there several days a week.
forever heart dogs
the original three
WAGS
Wags, my original ‘Heart Dog’ was my beloved Shih-Tzu and my former salon’s name sake. He was my first ever dog. I got him while undergoing chemo for Ovarian cancer in 2002, He was my side kick for almost fifteen years and went over the rainbow bridge in April of 2017. He will forever be my sweet angel.
Stevie
Stevie girl was my husbands first ever, dog and his original ‘Heart Dog’ she was half Labrador, half Golden Retriever. She was a competitive dock jumper, her biggest jump being 25’2” and had been clocked on the dock at 32mph. She was a wonderful companion for over fifteen years and sweetest dog ever, loving everyone.
Winston
Winston, was an English Cocker Spaniel. He was with us for almost sixteen years. His coloring was called Orange Roan. He was a wedding gift between my husband and I. Winston loved riding in the boat, exploring the woods, and was Stevie girls’s best buddy. In his younger years, he was my grooming competition dog, having received several second place ribbons on his grooms.
HOURS
Monday - Friday
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY