About Us
Certified Dog Groomers in Columbus, GA
The Grooming Express provides professional, one-on-one grooming centered on each dog’s individual needs, comfort, health, and safety. Efficient care. Consistent results.
A Long-Standing Commitment to Professional Pet Care
From Personal Paws toThe Grooming Express
The Grooming Express is the next chapter in Patrick and Samanntha Stout’s long-standing commitment to professional pet care in Columbus, Georgia, and the surrounding communities.
Their journey in the pet-care industry began with Personal Paws Mobile Grooming, which was founded after Patrick’s retirement following 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. Since 2015, Personal Paws has grown to serve thousands of pets each year through professional mobile grooming.
Patrick and Samanntha later expanded their services by opening Columbus Boarding & Training, offering boarding, enrichment daycare, training, and grooming in a professional facility designed around the comfort, health, safety, and happiness of every pet.
The Grooming Express was created as the next extension of that experience, offering professional grooming provided by certified, experienced groomers in a personalized, one-on-one setting. Every service is centered around the individual needs, comfort, health, and safety of each dog, with recurring maintenance plans and convenient pickup and drop-off options available for select participating communities.
Across Personal Paws, Columbus Boarding & Training, and now The Grooming Express, the goal remains the same: to provide professional, dependable care and treat every pet with the respect, patience, and attention they deserve.
Professional. Dependable. Caring.
Meet Our Certified Dog Grooming Team
Our professionally certified and experienced groomers and staff place the comfort, health, and safety of every pet first. We value consistency, clear communication, cleanliness, teamwork, and attention to detail.
Samanntha Stout, ICG
Owner
Samanntha grew up in a military family and graduated from Austin High School in Decatur, Alabama.
She went on to attend Troy University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Veterinary Medicine) while on a full athletic scholarship for volleyball.
Samanntha discovered that grooming allowed her to combine her passion for science, education, and animals into a career dedicated to improving the well-being of pets. She is an International Advanced Certified Groomer (ICG) through the International Professional Groomers (IPG), a member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), and is Advanced Pet First Aid and CPR certified. She regularly attends grooming seminars, training programs, and continuing education classes to stay current with the latest techniques and industry standards. Samanntha’s goal is to provide a highly skilled, education-focused grooming environment where pets receive exceptional care and leave looking and feeling their very best.
Izzy Belton, CPG
Operations Manager
Izzy graduated from Smiths Station High School in Phenix City, AL. As an upcoming senior in high school, she began working at Maringo Creek Farms, not only a farm but a dog boarding and training facility, through the co-op program. This sparked her interest and began her passion for the overall well-being of dogs. She quickly became a manager and apprenticed under the owner, Stewart Harvard, a world-renowned dog trainer with 45+ years in police canine training and family obedience training, for 2 years. While working alongside her mentor, she also became a Lead Dog Trainer for 3 years. She has trained a wide variety of breeds of different ages with different backgrounds and circumstances for on-leash and off-leash obedience training.
After her time at Maringo Creek Farms, Izzy joined Personal Paws Mobile Grooming for a year to gain a deeper knowledge of the health and well-being of dogs. She is a Certified Professional Groomer (CPG) through International Pet Groomers (IPG) and has her K9 CPR certification. She also has an associate degree in general sciences from Snead State Community College. She is currently working to obtain her Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) credentials through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers endorsed by AKC and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator Certification (CGC), as well as her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Brittany Karch, CPG
Pet Groomer
Brittany Karch is a passionate and detail-driven pet groomer with more than 8 years of professional experience. She brings warmth, professionalism, and genuine care to every dog she works with. Known for her calm approach and commitment to quality, she strives to make each grooming experience comfortable, safe, and enjoyable for pets and reassuring for their families.
Outside of grooming, Brittany enjoys life with her husband — a retired U.S. Army veteran — and their four daughters, along with their dogs and cats who keep their home full of energy and love.
Brittany has earned multiple certifications that strengthen her ability to care for dogs of all breeds and coat types. She is a Certified Professional Dog Groomer by International Professional Groomers Inc. (IPG). She holds a certificate in Professional Grooming and Styling Techniques, helping her tailor each groom to the unique needs of the dog in front of her. She is also certified in Canine Hair and Skin Health, giving her the knowledge to recognize common issues and choose the right products to keep pets healthy and comfortable.
Her certification in Master Scissoring allows her to shape coats with precision, giving each dog a clean, polished, and breed-appropriate finish. Brittany is additionally certified in Pet Aesthetic Services, which means she knows how to safely enhance a dog’s appearance while protecting their skin and coat. Whether she’s soothing irritated skin, improving coat texture, or creating a stylish trim, she uses her knowledge to make grooming both beautiful and beneficial. Her Advanced First Aid and CPR training ensures she is prepared for emergencies and able to keep pets safe under her care.
Her goal is always the same: to ensure every pet feels comfortable, cared for, and confident when they leave her table. Brittany’s dedication to her craft shines through in every groom she completes. She combines skill, patience, and genuine care to ensure each dog looks and feels its best. Families trust her because she treats every pet as if they were her own, creating a safe, comfortable, and positive experience from start to finish. Her professionalism, expertise, and heartfelt commitment make her a groomer customers can feel fully confident and excited to choose for their beloved companions.
Dog Grooming
FAQs for Columbus Pet Owners
Find answers about our grooming services, monthly plans, pricing, transportation, products, policies, and individualized care.
What is The Grooming Express?
The Grooming Express is a professional grooming service offering recurring monthly grooming plans, individual grooming services, and scheduled pickup and drop-off for participating senior living communities, retirement communities, and apartment complexes.
Are your groomers professionally certified?
Yes. Our grooming services are provided by professionally certified, experienced groomers and staff who make each pet’s comfort, health, and safety their first priority.
Do you offer mobile grooming?
The Grooming Express does not provide traditional at-home mobile grooming. If you're looking for a groomer that comes directly to your home, our award-winning sister company, Personal Paws Mobile Grooming, has proudly served the Columbus area since 2015.
What other pet services do you offer?
The Grooming Express specializes in professional grooming. If you're looking for boarding, enrichment daycare, or dog training, visit our award-winning sister company, Columbus Boarding & Training. For traditional mobile grooming, visit Personal Paws Mobile Grooming.
Who is eligible for pickup and drop-off service?
At this time, transportation is available only through participating senior living communities, retirement communities, and apartment complexes. We may expand the service area in the future.
What monthly grooming plans do you offer?
Our monthly options include one Full Groom, one Full Groom plus one Mini Groom, or one Full Groom plus one Bath and Blowout. Plans are priced according to the dog’s size and grooming needs.
What is included in a Mini Groom?
A Mini Groom includes a multi-point pet health check, pre-bath brushing and matting check, nail trimming and filing, ear cleaning, shampoo and leave-in conditioner, towel drying, high-velocity drying, fluff drying, sanitary trimming, paw-pad trimming, eye scooping, and a final brush and fluff.
What is included in a Full Groom?
A Full Groom includes everything in the Mini Groom, plus a complete haircut based on the owner’s preferences and the dog’s breed, coat type, coat condition, and lifestyle.
What is a Bath and Blowout?
A Bath and Blowout includes a professional bath, towel dry, high-velocity drying, fluff drying, and brushing to leave the coat clean, soft, and refreshed.
What grooming products do you use?
We use our own Personal Paws professional grooming products, including our Signature Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner. Our shampoo is a gentle, sulfate-free and paraben-free formula made with hemp and argan oils to help cleanse, restore moisture, improve coat texture, and leave the coat softer, fuller, shinier, and easier to manage. It is pH-balanced, safe for regular use, and suitable for all coat types.
Our Leave-In Conditioner is also enriched with hemp and argan oils to help nourish and hydrate the skin and coat, reduce dryness, and leave the fur soft, healthy-looking, and conditioned. Both products are made in the USA and are trusted and used by our professional grooming team.
Do you offer add-on services?
Yes. Add-ons may include teeth brushing with veterinarian-formulated, pet-friendly toothpaste, pet-friendly nail polish, specialty shampoo, nose and paw hydration treatment, green tea and plum facial, and flea treatment.
How much does grooming cost?
Pricing depends on the dog’s size, selected grooming plan, breed, coat condition, haircut, and any special handling requirements. Monthly plans currently begin at $80. Additional fees may apply for matting or optional services.
Why can prices vary between dogs of the same breed?
Dogs of the same breed can have different coat lengths, coat conditions, matting, haircut requests, behavior, or handling needs. Pricing reflects the time and level of care required for each individual dog.
Are there additional fees for matting?
Yes. Additional fees may apply for light, moderate, or severe matting because extra time and care may be required to groom the dog safely and comfortably.
Do unused monthly services roll over?
No. Unused services do not roll over to the next billing cycle and are non-refundable.
Is there a minimum commitment for monthly plans?
Yes. Subscription plans require a minimum commitment of three consecutive billing cycles.
How do I cancel a grooming subscription?
Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing at least 14 days before the next billing date. Requests made during the initial three-month commitment take effect after the commitment has been completed.
What happens if I miss an appointment or cancel at the last minute?
A no-show or same-day cancellation may result in a $30 fee or forfeiture of the scheduled service.
How are pickup and return times scheduled?
Transportation routes are coordinated for efficiency, so exact appointment times are not guaranteed. Customers will receive an estimated service window, and pickup or return times may vary due to traffic, weather, or other unexpected circumstances.
What if my dog has health, behavior, or special handling needs?
Please tell us about any medical, behavioral, mobility, or handling concerns before the appointment. We evaluate each dog individually and may adjust, pause, or decline a service if continuing would not be safe or comfortable for the pet.