If you’ve lived in Enid any amount of time, it quickly becomes clear that the folks around here have big hearts. And few of them are bigger than Jonie Ehrman’s. Since 1977, Jonie has worked as a dog groomer, owning and operating The Groom Closet with her husband Larry. Jonie works hard, and alongside a caring team of fellow animal lovers, she helps make sure that Enid’s dogs are well-groomed and well-cared for. In an unassuming building on West Chestnut, the Groom Closet provides boarding, doggy daycare, pet supplies, and of course, grooming. But what makes this place special is Jonie’s dedication to second chances, for both people and pets.
You see, in Enid animal circles, Jonie is truly legendary. She is well-known for her work with Enid Animal Control and the local SPCA in helping dogs find forever homes. Laura Denisoff, who has worked with Jonie for years, says, “She is big hearted, especially for the pups. If it’s not for the grooming shop or the kennel, it’s trying to help with the strays.”
According to SPCA staff, Jonie is an invaluable part of the community when it comes to helping pets. Sonya Frei says that when the rescues find dogs and need a place to temporarily place them, “Jonie opens up her facility and lets the dog stay there…if it wasn’t for Jonie, lots of dogs would have not made it out. I can’t tell you how many she has boarded and helped save, but it’s been quite a bit.”
Jonie has also helped local law enforcement with the K-9 officers. While she doesn’t actually handle the dogs, she has provided officers with advice on grooming and canine care. Jonie has a special love of German Shepherds, and she has attended more than one funeral for the hardworking police dogs of Enid.
And Jonie doesn’t just help animals that need a second chance. She helps people, too. Laura says that Jonie has “been a huge part of the rehabilitation community” and has often hired employees who might otherwise have a hard time finding work. “She works with those that are trying to better themselves…Jonie will give a person a chance,” says Laura. Jonie doesn’t seek the spotlight, preferring to let her work speak for itself. And the proof is in the hundreds of pets she has helped and the people whose lives she’s made a difference in. For all these reasons, Jonie Ehrman is truly a local legend!
