Hannah Groce, a lifelong resident of Fayette County, has taken a leap of faith to turn her love for dogs into a thriving business. After years of searching for her true calling, Groce opened Handsome Hounds, a professional dog grooming service offering a range of grooming packages tailored to pets of all breeds and ages.
Groce, 25, graduated from Connersville High School in 2019 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from IU East in 2022.
“After graduating, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life,” she recalls.
She initially worked at Howden Roots, a local factory, but felt unfulfilled despite her steady employment.
“I knew I didn’t want to stay at Roots, but I wasn’t passionate about any social work jobs either. I was lost and scared for my future,” she admitted.
Her turning point came during a conversation with her fiancé about their future. When asked what she truly loved, Groce’s answer was immediate: “my dogs.”
Encouraged by the support of her family and friends, she decided to pursue a long-held dream and enrolled in the Indiana School of Dog Grooming. In July 2025, she graduated with certification, ready to launch her own business.
Handsome Hounds offers a variety of services, including full-service grooming, bath and brush, tidy-ups, and a special puppy package designed to introduce young dogs to grooming. Additional services include deshedding, anal gland care, and nail painting.
For Groce, the most rewarding part of her work is the joy of doing something she loves every day.
“I’ve worked jobs where I was never happy, always wanting to do something else. Now, I genuinely enjoy what I do, and meeting new people has boosted my confidence in ways I never imagined.”
Looking ahead, Groce plans to focus on building relationships with her clients and refining her grooming skills.
“This is a job built on trust,” she said. “Keeping my business focused on the basics—my skills and the trust of the community—is all I need.”
Services include:
Full Service Groom: which includes a bath in specific quality shampoo, blow dry and brush, a standard breed full haircut (or haircut of the owner’s request), nail trim, and ear cleaning (and ear hair removal if needed)
Bath & Brush: which includes a bath in coat-specific shampoo, blow dry, brush out, nail trim and file, ear cleaning ( & hair removal if needed)
Tidy Up: which includes bath in coat-specific shampoo, blow dry and brush out, nail trim/file, and a sanity groom. (Sanity groom is shaving potty areas or paw pads if needed)
Puppy Package: this is offered to all puppies six months or younger.
“I offer this to introduce dogs to the world of grooming. It can range from just a quick bath & blow dry to a bath, blow- dry, sanity groom, and trimming the hair around the face and paw pads. This package varies based on the type of dog and what they need.”
Appointments and inquiries for Handsome Hounds can be made through their Facebook page, @Handsome Hounds LLC, or by calling/texting (765) 541-9241.
Discover more from Whitewater Valley Voice
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.