Top Knot Dog Grooming Has Opened their Doors in Downtown Atwood
Vernita and Jules welcome new customers to Top Knot Dog Grooming, the perfect place to bring your dog to look their best.
By Doris Elmore
Staff Writer
Vernita Henson has been a dog lover since her children were small. So much so that she left a nursing career to pursue her dream of having a grooming business of her own. Vernita opened Top Knot Pet Grooming, 110 N. Main in Atwood over Thanksgiving weekend, 2022. Hours are by appointment, call 217-722-6884 Monday-Saturday.
A 2011 graduate of Parkland’s School of Nursing, Vernita worked various nursing jobs but was an RN at the University of Illinois McKinley Student Health Center for five years. While enjoying her nursing career, there was something inside that kept Vernita longing to be a dog groomer.
In the winter of 2021, she decided to study online, as time permitted, to be a groomer. After what Vernita says took a while, she became certified in pet hygiene and grooming any size dog. She started working out of her home in April, 2022 and by Thanksgiving opened her own stylish salon.
I was used to walking into an insurance company in her location, but what a change she made. When you walk into the shop it is so open and she has very up to date equipment. It is bright and cheerful. There is room to house three small dogs and two large if needed while they wait for grooming. There are two grooming tables and a large array of accessories to “dress up” the dogs after grooming.
Her first dog was Jules. Jules belongs to Vernita’s mother, Dawna Ulbricht, also of Atwood. She is a 6 or 7 years old standard poodle and is very spoiled as you find most dogs. Jules was the perfect dog to be in the picture with Vernita.
When I walked into the shop Jules started barking, but it didn’t take long for her to quiet down after talking to her and Vernita giving her attention. She didn’t want Vernita to get very far away, but did allow her to choose a tie for Jules. She loved it and that was so cute. She became a poser for pictures, as you can tell.
Out of a client list of 463, Vernita says she has had only one dog that would not let her do any grooming. She finally got him washed, but no further. Her smallest dog to groom was “Honey,” a 4.4 lb. chihuahua. The largest dog was a 155 lb. Great Dane named “Jamison.” She has been bit a couple times, but not too bad.
Vernita is fortunate to have a few assistants available to help; her nieces, Elizabeth Foster of Arcola, Lillian Hart of Atwood and step-son Gabe Henson. They work with de-sheds and baths for mostly short-haired dogs.
She is also assisted by daughter Kaci Shonkwiler of Bement when needed. Her daughter, Stephanie Spry of Buckley is a Vet Tech in Savoy, but she is a cat lover. So far Vernita has had no calls to trim a cat, but she might be willing to try. Her customers are dog lovers like herself.
Vernita is married to Randy Henson. Randy has a new glazing shop at 117 N. Main, across the street from Top Knot. Watch for a story on Randy’s new business in the near future.
It was so interesting to look around Vernita’s shop and read the cute signs such as: “Dog Kisses Fix Any Bad Day,” “All You need is Love & a Dog,” “Home is Where Someone Runs to Meet You.”
Not only does Vernita love working in dog grooming, you can also schedule a class with her so she teaches you how to care for your animal. For people unsure what to do for their special pet, call Vernita, she will help you out.
Your dogs, big or small, become a part of your family and you want to give them all the love you can, “Because Dogs Leave Paw Prints on Your Heart.”
