Why Em's Grooming & Boarding??
Cage-Free | Personalized | Stress-Free | Positive
At Em's Grooming & Boarding, your dog becomes part of the home—not just another booking.
I provide a calm, cage-free environment where each dog receives individualized attention, enrichment, and genuine care.
With a background in veterinary care and years of hands-on experience, every stay is designed to prioritize your dog's comfort, safety, and well-being.
Every stay is cage-free, personalized, and designed to provide a safe, enriching, and low-stress environment. I intentionally accept a limited number of dogs to ensure each guest receives individualized attention and care.
I look forward to meeting you and your fur-family. EST. 2020
About Me
From a young age, no matter how much my life changed—homes, schools, and everything in between (foster care) — one thing never did: my love for animals. It was the one constant I could always come back to, and the one thing I always knew I wanted to build my life around. As a preteen, I began working overnights at a local farm, assisting in what turned out to be an incredible foaling season with 12 successful births. I also spent time helping at neighborhood farms—mucking stalls, feeding, and assisting with basic animal care. Around that same time, I was gifted two parakeets, which sparked my first experience being fully responsible for animals of my own. I later stepped into the veterinary field, where I absorbed everything I could—canine behavior, medical terminology, safe handling, and overall animal wellness. I also became involved in rescue work, fostering dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and needs. Each experience deepened my understanding that no two animals are the same, and every one of them deserves individualized care. During COVID, I saw firsthand how unstable and impersonal many animal care services became. It pushed me to explore my own path. I briefly studied zoology, gaining appreciation for exotic animals, though my heart ultimately remained with domestic pets. From there, I found myself torn between dog training and grooming—so I chose both. What started as grooming and boarding large dogs in a small two-bedroom apartment has grown into a fully booked business built on trust, relationships, and genuine care (in a townhouse). Every dog I work with is treated like my own, and every owner I meet has played a role in building something I'm incredibly proud of.
-Emma Acly
The story behind the care...
Sometimes people ask why I care so much. The answer is a little longer than a conversation at pickup.
Before You Call Me Difficult is my memoir about foster care, faith, and learning to love again - and how those experiences reach into the ordinary things I do at Em's. Noticing fear. Taking a break. Changing the plan. Remembering there is someone worth understanding on the other end of the leash.
I thought I was building a life working with dogs. Along the way, their people became part of my life, too.
This isn't a grooming guide. It's the personal story behind the care you see here.
Em's Pup of the Month Coloring Page
When Em's first went public in February 2025 (previously was private in my 2-bed apartment), JoJo was one of the first pups to walk through the door. Her mama was nervous about leaving her, but wanted the freedom to travel, and after a LOT of emails, JoJo came for her first stay. Fast-forward to today, and this tiny coconut is somehow the CEO of every pack she enters. She's a tomboy diva who would choose mud, sticks, ATVs & NASCAR over a manicure any day. She runs like a race car, only in circles, and apparently anything in her path is simply part of the track. She loves ice cream, snow, cuddles, princess treatment, and kisses she firmly believes double as moisturizer. Her preferred sleeping arrangement is directly on your neck, chest, or face. Obviously.Unless you're Link or Bert, please respect her authority and move along. But JoJo is more than one of the OGs around here. She's part of the foundation.Every dog who comes through Em's brings their own quirks, chaos, personality, lessons, memories and love. Every unique little piece of them becomes another brick in the building that is Em's Grooming & Boarding. And JoJo has absolutely left her brick.Happy October, JoJo. The CEO has spoken.
Each month, one member of the Em's family gets their own custom coloring page featuring their personality, fun facts, and all the little things that make them special. Think your pup might be next? Keep an eye on the page… you never know who November's spotlight will shine on! Grab one next time your pup has an appointment or download now and print from home!
Be Part of Our Family!
Em's Coloring Pages!
Every cartoon pup seen, is a REAL pup that comes to Em's Grooming & Boarding! Learn more about the pups that live in the DMV area and make this business thrive!
Durable, weatherproof and fade resistant car decal stickers! Limited Time Only!
Pack Pride 4-Inch Decal Stickers $5 Each
Em's Sweatshirt $50
Soft, durable and amazing sweatshirts designed by Emma created by Ashley Jeffries. Comes in black, pink, white, blue and grey.
Text: (681) 296-2689 with your size now!
Please Note: These are created independently and such take 1-2 weeks depending on Ashley's availability.
Em's Seasonal Tees $45
Seasonal and comfortable tees to advertise (and support) not only ONE small business but TWO!! Durable, comfortable and true to size ADORABLE puppy-lovin' shirts designed by Emma and Ashley Jeffries, created by Ashley Jeffries.
Text: (681) 296-2689 with your size now!
Please Note: These are created independently and such take 1-2 weeks depending on Ashley's availability.
Contact
Em's Grooming & Boarding
Bunker Hill, 25413