When pet parents and their pups step into Hippie Hounds, they can immediately sense the calm. There’s laughter in the air, gentle music in the background, and happy dogs wagging their tails. For co-owners Aaron, Amanda, and Anna, affectionately known as The A-Team, this welcoming energy is no accident. It’s the product of years of hard work, compassion, and a shared vision to raise the standards of dog grooming in Washington and give every pup the care they deserve.
Founded in 2016, Hippie Hounds is a full-service dog grooming salon with a self-service dog wash, located in Lynnwood, WA, and serving the surrounding communities. Amanda said her team opened a second location in 2018 that unfortunately shut down due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This setback had a silver lining, allowing the team the time and space to expand and grow its original home.
“We have expanded our original location to almost 4,500 square feet with 20 employees," Amanda said. "We have won the ‘Best in the PNW’ grooming salon award by Seattle Times two years in a row now. Yelp also selected us to go on their ‘Top 100 Local Businesses of 2025’ list, and we are so honored!”
The story of Hippie Hounds began when three Seattle-based groomers (The A-Team) found common ground in their experiences working across different salons. Each had witnessed industry practices that fell short of what they believed dogs truly needed.
Motivated by a deep respect for animal welfare and a desire to elevate grooming standards, the trio pooled their life savings to create a salon that would do things differently. They envisioned a laid-back, stress-free environment where dogs would be treated with love, patience, and understanding, no matter their temperament or condition.
From the beginning, their mission was clear: to provide premium grooming services while prioritizing every dog’s health, safety, and happiness.
“Our salon has the reputation of accepting all breeds and all backgrounds," Amanda said. "Through teamwork, compassion and respect we are able to help many dogs who would otherwise not be able to be groomed due to age, health or behavioral circumstances.”
That reputation has become a cornerstone of their success. Over the past nine years, Hippie Hounds has grown into a flourishing community-oriented business with a loyal client base spanning much of the Seattle metro area.
One of the things that makes Hippie Hounds special is its open-door philosophy. The team welcomes dogs that might be turned away elsewhere.
Their approach is rooted in empathy and experience. The staff works together to ensure that every grooming session feels calm and supportive. Dogs are handled gently, given breaks as needed, and treated as individuals rather than just appointments on a schedule.
“Whether your dog is anxious or angry, young or elderly, big or small, covered in mud, months past his last groom, or even banned from another groomer for bad behavior, you’re in the right place,” the team shares on their website. “The only thing that scares us is the thought of your dog not getting the grooming services he needs to live his happiest, healthiest life.”
It’s this philosophy that has made Hippie Hounds a beloved part of the community—and a go-to salon for pet parents seeking thoughtful, high-quality care.
Amanda's favorite part of her work?
“Besides the obvious answer of ‘THE DOGS!’, I would have to say it has been very rewarding to create a space where the community can come and gather and trust that their dogs are in caring hands,” she said.
Running a busy salon with 20 staff members and a large, diverse client base requires organization and efficiency. That’s where Gingr, came into the fold.
Amanda, who serves as the business's CEO, knew that choosing the right software was crucial to keeping the salon running smoothly.
“I did a TON of research before selecting Gingr, and I tried all of the demos," she said. "Gingr had the easiest user interface I had come across, and I love the icons feature on the pets!”
From managing appointments and customer records to communicating with pet parents, Gingr helps Hippie Hounds stay organized and connected. Amanda and her team rely on automated text messages, customizable pet icons, and detailed employee notes to streamline their workflow. They particularly rely on employee notes to add grooming details for each pet.
The result? Smoother operations, faster communication, and happier customers (both human and canine).
“We have been so much more organized with our customer information. It has been a dream to easily have the pet's full information and past history with us at our finger tips," Amanda said. "Our speed has increased and our communication has gotten much better using Gingr!”
Nearly ten years after opening its doors, Hippie Hounds remains a leader in compassionate grooming care throughout the Pacific Northwest. With a growing team, loyal client base, and award-winning reputation, the A-Team continues to balance heart and professionalism in every aspect of their work.
Their partnership with Gingr has helped them streamline operations, strengthen communication, and maintain the warm, personal service that clients love. For Hippie Hounds, technology and compassion go hand-in-hand—allowing their team to focus on what matters most: the dogs.
“We love Gingr and we would recommend it to any pet professionals," Amanda said.
Learn more about how Gingr helps grooming salons like Hippie Hounds stay organized, improve communication, and deliver exceptional care. Request a demo today!