Shannon Heggem burst onto the pet care scene in the 1990s and quickly cemented her status as the premier authority in luxury pet care. Hailing from a small Montana town, Shannon’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to launch one of the first-ever pet suite facilities in 1992, a groundbreaking concept at the time. The undeniable appeal of her boutique pet care business transcended the rural setting and Shannon soon recognized the potential for success anywhere. Her consulting practice flourished as the need for specialized pet care facilities grew, earning her the distinguished titles of trailblazer, trendsetter, and pet industry pioneer. Shannon’s unwavering commitment to education is evident in her impressive array of international certifications, including dual certifications in both grooming and kenneling, a feat achieved by only three individuals worldwide.
As a natural educator, Shannon’s grooming expertise began in her parents’ backyard where she opened her first grooming salon at the tender age of nine. Her passion for sharing grooming knowledge led her to found the Montana School of Professional Dog Grooming in 1999. She expanded her training programs to include boarding kennel industry and pet sitting through the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers, which she founded shortly thereafter. Shannon has trained countless successful pet professionals through her programs until she closed FTI in 2016.
Throughout her illustrious career, luxury services have always been Shannon’s focus. She incorporates this philosophy into her training programs and speaking engagements, where she inspires and educates others on how to provide the best possible care for their beloved companions. She is also a talented designer, whose work has been highlighted in magazines and also featured on reality TV shows. Shannon continues to work with elite facilities around the world through her consulting practice, while also running her own high-end facility, the Luxury Unleashed Pet Resort, which she launched in 2018. Her extensive experience and unparalleled expertise have earned her the distinction as the global authority in true luxury pet care.
Shannon’s dedication to the pet care industry is evident in her impressive list of accolades and achievements. She is the owner/operator of the Luxury Unleashed Pet Resort and the former owner/operator of the Doggy Day Care & Pet Resort from 1992 to 2013. She is the founder/educator of the Montana School of Professional Dog Grooming from 1999 to 2013 and the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers from 2004 to 2016. Shannon’s exceptional pet luxury consultation services have been sought after since 1994, and she has been an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker since 1999. She is a former member of the prestigious National Speakers Association, a former certifier for International Professional Groomers, Inc., and a former member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Canine Professionals (alongside Cesar Millan). Shannon is a freelance writer for various publications, including Luxury Facts Magazine, Pets +, Pet Services Journal, Grooming Business Magazine, Pet Business Magazine, and many other print and online sources.
“The biggest milestone in my career thus far was getting the phone call from FOX Network to learn that Gordon Ramsay personally requested my design services for an episode of Hotel Hell. The Vermont property that was being featured on his show had a boarding kennel onsite which was in drastic need of attention. The owner of the inn had no idea that a kennel makeover was part of the reveal; I appeared to be just a normal guest…until the end! To play such an integral role in helping the business owner take his boarding facility to the next level was an amazing life experience and career milestone indeed!”
-Shannon Heggem
Watch the Four Seasons Episode of HOTEL HELL by clicking here!