For dog groomers & pet care professionals
Sometimes the dog is the only thing people aren't fighting about. Sometimes they're fighting about that too.
Your clients come in with their dogs and leave telling you things they haven't said to anyone. Separation. A court date they're bracing for. A custody battle they're exhausted by. The dog is the easy topic. What's underneath it isn't.
You can't fix any of that. But you can point them somewhere that might.
Find a McKenzie FriendWhat is a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend is a non-legal court supporter who can attend family court hearings with someone going through divorce, separation, child arrangements, or financial proceedings. They help with paperwork, sit alongside them in court, and make sure they understand what is happening.
They are not solicitors and cannot give legal advice. But they cost far less, and for someone who can't afford a solicitor and is terrified of going alone — they can be the difference between managing and falling apart. Most people have never heard of them. That's the problem.
What you can say
"Have you heard of McKenzie Friends? They're not solicitors but they can actually come to court with you — help you with all the paperwork and everything. There's a directory online if you want to find one. familycourtbridge.org. Might be worth a look."
familycourtbridge.org/find-your-support
No expertise required. No liability. Just a word in the right direction at the right moment — which is exactly what community looks like.
Share this on your Facebook page
🐾 From us at [your grooming business].
We hear a lot in our day — and recently we've been hearing more people going through separation and family court and not knowing what support is out there.
Something we want more people to know: there are people called McKenzie Friends who can attend family court hearings with you, help you understand your documents and prepare properly — for a fraction of the cost of a solicitor. A lot of people go into these hearings completely alone when they don't have to.
Find one at familycourtbridge.org/find-your-support 💙
Worth sharing — you might know exactly the right person who needs to see this.
Adapt as you wish — just keep the link.
Why groomers are part of this
The dog is often at the centre of it
Pets are frequently caught in separation — who keeps the dog, who sees them, what happens to the family animal. People bringing their dog to you are sometimes fighting for far more than they're letting on.
The wait is a conversation
People wait for their dogs. They talk. A waiting room or a quick chat at pickup is exactly where something useful can be shared.
Dog owners are community
Dog owners are one of the most connected communities there is. A post from a local groomer reaches people who trust you — and share.