Melissa became involved with dogs at 13 when she got her first dog and joined a 4H club. She quickly wanted to do more and got her first whippet to do AKC events including Junior Showmanship, he went on to become her first champion.

As a senior in high school she started training as a groomer and upon graduation moved to work as a live in show assistant, kennel manager, and pet groomer for Greg Strong (AKC RHP) at his kennel in MD.

In 2019 she moved back to the finger lakes where she continued working for handlers as well as building a grooming clientele at home.

Currently Melissa is an active part of the local dog community as a member of the Finger Lakes Kennel Club, Leader of the 4H Tompkins County Jr. Tailwaggers, and of course offering grooming and show services to her fellow dog people of the region. She spends “free time” on her personal whippet breeding program.