This summer, Alene Nachsin closed her shop, DoGroom, after more than four decades of business in Elkins Park and a lifetime caring for animals.

Her career began as a veterinary assistant when she was eight years old. She went on to become a veterinarian technician and worked at an aquarium before graduating from Cheltenham High School in 1967.

A mother and an animal lover to the highest degree, Alene’s shop was always filled with creatures large and small, species both exotic and commonplace.

“The store had three shop cats, nine bearded dragons, and two box turtles,” she said. “My house has six cats, seven snakes, three Uromastyx lizards, and a parrot. We have three ponds as well. I also had a blue iguana who just passed away.”

Alene grew up on Redwood Lane, just beyond the campuses of Cheltenham High School and Arcadia University, and has nothing but fond memories of her clients and her community.

“It’s always been so wonderful. You know who your neighbors are, you help each other out, even with the little things. My neighbors check up on me, and I do the same for them. It’s a very warm community, and I love it,” she said. “Everybody knows me. They’ll come up and say, ‘Oh, you’re the dog groomer.'”

Before and after of a red miniature poodle, courtesy of Alene Nachsin

“I love the people and the families. They become your own family. You grow up with them, they have a dog for maybe 15 years. You see their kids grow up, get married, and have children and dogs of their own. It snowballs,” she said.

A unique element to DoGroom’s success is its old-school approach: Not once has the business been advertised, and it continues to operate sans website, Facebook, Instagram, or any other digital platform.

“It’s all word-of-mouth. People will come to the area or they’re dissatisfied with their previous groomer, and they’ll ask, ‘Where can I go?’ I tell them what I can and can’t do,” she said.

Before and after of an English setter, courtesy of Alene Nachsin

Once her health returns, Alene hopes to open up a cat cafe in the area.

“I’ve been doing cat rescue since I was 20 years old. I bring cats up from Puerto Rico,” she said. “I think we could use something like that around here.”

Before and after of an Aussie doodle, courtesy of Alene Nachsin

“My last day was in the middle of July,” she said. “It hit me overnight. I’ve had 19 blood tests and the doctors don’t know what’s wrong with me. I physically cannot walk up the steps to my store, let alone groom animals.”

8750 Montgomery Avenue has been open four days a week since Alene opened in 1980.

“I’m not happy about this, but I have to think positively,” she said.

The Elkins Park community’s outpouring of appreciation in response to Alene’s condition has helped her do just that.

DoGroom’s exterior, courtesy of Google

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