Meet The Stylists

How It Started

Chris Thomas is the founder of CE Pet Spa in Rockville, MD. He's been grooming since he was 11—but it didn't start as a career plan. It started with Jake, his Australian Cattle Dog. Jake was shy, reactive, and not exactly the easiest dog to work with. But learning how to manage a Blue Heeler's temperament—figuring out what made him tick, what kept him calm, what he needed—taught Chris something that most groomers only pick up years into the job: patience isn't optional, it's the whole foundation.

That experience shaped everything about how he works today.

What He Brings to the Table

Chris started CE Pet Spa in 2017, but by then he'd already been refining his craft for years. His background comes down to three things:

• Breed-Specific Styling — Hands-on experience with breed standards and coat maintenance across a wide range of dogs.

• Behavioral Observation — Over a decade of reading body language and keeping dogs comfortable and stable on the table.

• Skin & Coat Health — A real focus on the technical side—not just how the coat looks, but how it's actually doing.

How He Works

Chris keeps things quiet and controlled at CE Pet Spa. No chaos, no rushing. He focuses on doing the work right—protecting the coat, respecting the dog's temperament, and delivering consistent results. That's the CE standard, and it's why people in the DMV keep coming back.

Outside the Spa

When he's not grooming, Chris is usually out on nature trails around the DMV with his family.

Brian joined CE Pet Spa in 2024 and quickly found his lane: young dogs and first-timers. He's calm, patient, and especially good with active breeds that need a steady hand. If it's your dog's first time on a grooming table, Brian's the guy you want handling it—he knows how to make it a good experience so the dog actually wants to come back. He keeps things low-stress and up to the CE standard every time.

Outside work, Brian's a big sports guy and enjoys spending time with his two cats.