A familiar face to many local dog owners is preparing to begin an exciting new chapter in Andover’s pet care scene, as Michelle Murphy-Packer launches her independent grooming business, Bark at The Moon, on 1st June.
Based within Barks ‘N’ Bubbles, Michelle is bringing with her years of customer service experience, professional grooming expertise, and most importantly, a passion for putting dogs first.
Michelle’s journey into dog grooming came after spending much of her working life in retail and hospitality roles across Andover. While she enjoyed the social aspect of those industries, she always felt drawn towards something more meaningful.
“My love for dogs has been a constant throughout my life,” Michelle explained. “I was obsessed with dogs as a kid, and eventually I decided to stop worrying about what other people might think and take the leap into dog grooming.”
That leap led Michelle into a corporate grooming salon, where she honed her technical skills and gained invaluable hands-on experience. However, it was during that time that she discovered what truly mattered most to her — building genuine relationships with both dogs and their owners.
“Working in a corporate salon was a fantastic boot camp and gave me the confidence and training I needed,” she said. “But I realised my favourite part of the job was forming bonds with the individual dogs and their owners. In a large, fast-paced environment, the personal touch can sometimes get lost.”
That desire to create a calmer, more personalised experience became the driving force behind Bark at The Moon.
Michelle describes her grooming approach as firmly “dog-first”, with patience and trust at the centre of every appointment.
“I’m not interested in rushing through grooms,” she said. “I want to work only at the speed the dog is comfortable with. I’m known for being patient with nervous and older dogs. I’d rather spend extra time building trust than push a dog through something that scares them.”
At Bark at The Moon, every dog will receive Michelle’s full, uninterrupted attention — something she believes is essential for reducing stress and creating a positive grooming experience.
“There’s no conveyor belt mentality here,” she explained. “We’ll have time for introductions, praise, breaks if needed, and making sure every dog feels safe and comfortable throughout their visit.”
The business will operate from within Barks ‘N’ Bubbles, a location Michelle says perfectly aligns with her values.
“Barks ‘N’ Bubbles already has a fantastic reputation locally, and everyone there shares the same dog-first philosophy,” she said. “It allows me to run my own independent business while still being part of a trusted local community right in the heart of town.”
From bath and brush treatments to full grooming, styling, and teeth cleaning services, Bark at The Moon will offer a full range of care for dogs of all breeds and temperaments. Michelle says she has a particular passion for helping nervous dogs feel at ease.
For Michelle, however, the most important part of the business is ensuring dogs leave feeling happy, calm, and cared for.
“A groom shouldn’t be something a dog dreads,” she said. “When dogs feel calm and safe, the results are always better, and they leave happy rather than exhausted. My goal is for every dog to walk out with their tail wagging and ready to come back next time.”
As she prepares to officially open her doors on 1st June, Michelle says she is excited to welcome both familiar faces and new customers from across the Andover community.
“I want people to know that when they leave their dog with me, they’re leaving them with someone who genuinely cares for their wellbeing as much as they do,” she added. “I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.”