Oscar Ochoa, fourth from right, put his arm around Alderman Raymond Lopez and posed with his team for a picture at his grooming facility, Dog-E-Stylez.
Meet Oscar, Owner of Back of the Yards’ Dog-E-Stylez
Mar 09, 2021
It’s no secret that when you look your best, you feel your best. As our outreach program was growing in 2019, pet owners were regularly coming to our team for recommendations for various pet resources, including grooming. Only problem? There weren’t any groomers in the neighborhood.
That’s where Oscar Ochoa came in.
Three years ago, he opened Dog-E Stylez, the only groomer in Back of the Yards. “There wasn’t anything in the neighborhood for pets,” said Oscar. The only option was to take pets to a major chain store that was far away and not easily accessible.
Before he opened his business, Oscar reached out to Laurie Maxwell, PAWS Chicago Director of Community Outreach. From the onset, he wanted to work with groups to help neighborhood pets.
Thanks to a grant from the Coleman Foundation, PAWS Chicago can sponsor grooming services for PAWS for Life clients who would not receive this service otherwise. More than 240 animals in Englewood, West Englewood, and Back of the Yards have received services since 2019 thanks to this partnership. Our Community Outreach team was able to refer pet owners to Oscar where they received their grooming transformations.
“When we opened, people started coming in from the first day, and we haven’t stopped. Neighbors said they needed this service in the neighborhood,” Oscar said.
Englewood resident and PAWS for Life client, Joanne Green, did not have access to a groomer before the PAWS and Dog-E Stylez partnership. However, Joanne has three shih tzu mixes, Petey, Fluffy, and Gizmo, all taken in off the street as strays. Joanne said having this option for her pets is a relief.
“Having a groomer now is so good for me and the dogs. They look so good when they come home. Everyone there is very friendly to my dogs. I love them,” she said.
Oscar’s incredible work is recognized by more than his clients, community, and PAWS Chicago. Alderman Ramond Lopez, Alderman of Chicago’s 15th Ward where Dog-E-Stylez is located, counts himself as a big supporter.
“I’m proud to support Oscar & his Dog-E-Stylez team. Not only do they help provide a valuable and quality service, but [they] also are committed to being strong partners for our fur babies in the Back of the Yards community. I look forward to his continued success in West Elsdon & beyond,” the Alderman said.
Oscar said his favorite part about working with PAWS Chicago is seeing the transformation.
“Some dogs take a little longer to groom, but they know they will feel better at the end. Once you start cleaning them up, you see how differently they act. They’re beautiful.”
Today, PAWS Chicago is in the third year of working with Oscar and Dog-E Stylez.
“Oscar stands out because he not only cares about dogs—he cares about his community. He understood the need for this service and single-handedly fulfilled it. We are proud to support his work and help our clients at the same time,” Laurie said.
*Each month, we’ll highlight a local animal lover and hero who works alongside our Community Outreach team. Whether, like Oscar, they’re providing an essential service in a pet resource desert or caring for the cat colonies that share their neighborhoods, they’re an integral part of the No Kill mission. We can’t wait to celebrate them.