After nearly 30 years of taking care of dogs and the families who love them, her employees and just about everyone who steps inside her beloved dog grooming shop, Amy Carafello Peraino, owner of Amy’s Royal Treatment, in Saddle Brook, NJ, needs our help.

Amy has always loved dogs, and dogs have always loved her. She’s a natural with them, whether it’s a tiny yorkie, a huge mastiff or her own boisterous bloodhounds. So, it came as no surprise when Amy started grooming dogs when she was just a teenager, and then 10 years later, took over the shop. Today, nearly 20 years after opening Amy’s Royal Treatment, Amy has become an invaluable, trusted and beloved part of the community. She has a huge heart with limitless compassion and kindness for every dog and person she meets.

Since Amy's Royal Treatment is such a close knit shop, where employees stay for years on end, Amy treats everyone who works for her like family. Their problems become hers. That coupled with the skyrocketing costs of products, utilities and rent, and the lasting effects from having been shut down during the Covid pandemic has taken a heavy toll. Having to pay her employees time and a half when short staffed— which happened often this year— due to several employees becoming sick, pregnant or moving, and the unexpected expense of broken air conditioning, heating and a hot water heater, plus a gut-wrenching theft of several thousands dollars, Amy has fallen on hard times—and is at imminent risk for losing her cherished shop.

Amy’s Royal Treatment is so much more than a grooming shop. It’s a throwback— in the best sense of the word— to a time and place where kindness, community and treating others with care and compassion come naturally. It’s not about a quick turnaround or indiscriminately raising prices. Amy genuinely cares about and takes care of every dog and person she meets.

I first met Amy about 15 years ago. I quickly found out why so many people recommended her, and why they trusted and relied on her. One afternoon, she was grooming our two collies, Jake & Jupiter. Amy was brushing Jupiter while another groomer was blow-drying Jake. Suddenly, Jake went limp while standing on the table, with the grooming collar around his neck. Amy immediately ran to him and gently lifted him up and off the table. She quickly realized he had had a seizure from the noise of the blow dryer. Fortunately, Amy knew how to help him. Jake was fine, but he would never be able to be around the loud dryers again. For the next eight years, Amy stayed after hours and groomed him when the shop was empty and quiet. And because Jake had become scared of the grooming tables, she groomed him on the floor, even though it hurt her knees and back. That’s just who Amy is—she puts all the dogs and people in her life before herself. I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve been in the shop when Amy has gone above and beyond for her clients and employees. There have been several times when her employees needed financial help, Amy has always helped them without question. She’s helped them pay their rent, with medical expenses which otherwise would have gone untreated and unexpected emergencies. Likewise, she’s helped clients who haven’t had money for dog food. Recently, an older woman— not even a client— came in and told Amy she didn’t have any money to feed her dog. Amy took a large bag of dog food off the shelf and sent her on her way. No demeaning questions, just kindness.

Then there are the numerous dogs Amy has helped with much more than a brush and a bow—like the time she found a suspicious lump on a Cavachon she had known for years. She suggested having a vet look at it. Turns out, she was right. It was cancerous and by finding it early, Amy saved the dog’s life. Or the time she noticed that my 11-year-old Jake’s nails weren’t wearing evenly. Her great care and keen observation helped lead to his diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy.

As easily and naturally as it is for Amy to help others, she’s equally uncomfortable asking for help. I reminded her that she is providing a vital service to the community; her clients love, trust and appreciate her, and by saving Amy’s Royal Treatment, we are also saving the jobs of everyone who works there. Please donate whatever you can and share this GoFundMe with your friends and family to help Save Amy’s Royal Treatment.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ♥️