Our Mission
Poodle Nook's mission is to provide outstanding grooming experiences for pets and their owners by focusing on individual pet needs, utilizing low-stress handling, and expanding client education.
​
Every dog and cat that comes through our doors in Citrus Heights gets one-on-one attention from a skilled groomer who knows their coat, their temperament, and their owner's preferences.
How We Approach Grooming
Low-stress handling is the foundation of everything we do. A grooming appointment shouldn't be something your pet dreads. Our team is trained to read each pet's body language — the subtle signs of stress that come before the obvious ones — and adjust technique, pace, and environment accordingly.
​
One pet at a time. We don't double-book grooming slots. Your dog gets undivided attention from check-in to pickup, which means we can take the time anxious puppies, senior pets, and new clients actually need.
​
Tailored to the individual. A doodle's coat needs different handling than a Yorkshire Terrier's. A 14-year-old dog with arthritis needs different positioning than a 2-year-old retriever. We never run an assembly line — every cut, bath, and brush-out is optimized to the pet in front of us.
​
Detailed reports after every visit. You'll know exactly what was done, anything we noticed about your pet's skin, ears, nails, or coat condition, and any recommendations for at-home care between appointments.
Meet the Team
Jay Porter, RVT — Owner & Salon Manager
Jay partially grew up in sunny Southern California, but relocated to the Sacramento area at age fifteen when his family made the decision to move. Ever since then he has become a Sacramentan through and through. Jay comes from a grooming family so he’s always been around animals. However, his professional career began over thirteen years ago in veterinary medicine, with him completing licensing requirements and obtaining his California Registered Veterinary Technician license.This means every decision at Poodle Nook is informed by formal training in animal anatomy, behavior, and emergency response.
Jay’s favorite part of the job is getting to interact and grow a relationship with each pet that comes through the doors. There is nothing more rewarding for him than seeing an anxious pet slowly come out of their shell. Finally getting to see these pets let go of their anxiety and enjoy the grooming process is what makes it all worth it for him everyday. Outside of work Jay enjoys getting outside in the sun with his dog Tate, (who you might see at the salon next time you’re in!), and exploring the greater Sacramento area.
A Note on Our History
Poodle Nook has been part of the Citrus Heights community since 1958. The salon has been under current ownership since 2023, with a renewed focus on individualized care, low-stress handling, and transparent communication with pet parents.
​
We're proud of the salon's long history in the area — and equally focused on bringing it into the next chapter with stronger systems, better-trained staff, and an even higher standard of care.