CAREER 180

This career is on paws

Jorge Bendersky is all about dogs. (Animal Planet)

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

May 5, 2008

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The Big Career Switch
From hotels to dog grooming and a reality show

Who Pulled It Off
Jorge Bendersky, 36

What He Does
Bendersky is a dog stylist featured on "Groomer Has It," shown on Animal Planet at 9pm Saturdays. (www.planetjorge.com, www.groomerhasit.com)

What He Used to To
Bendersky worked in boutique hotels his family owns in Patagonia, Argentina.

Why He Did a 180º
"I was born to love dogs and started breeding Afghans and Pekingese when I was 11. I liked hotels but needed to work full-time with dogs. I moved here because NYC has the world's most glamorous canines."

How He Did It
"I got a job in a grooming shop and soon had my own clients."

What A Dog Stylist Does
"I promote myself by hanging with dog owners in my Chelsea neighborhood. I work five days a week at spaces I rent in grooming shops. For celeb clients like Alan Cumming and Tatum O'Neal, I go to their homes. I shampoo, cut and style the dogs in two-hour sessions. 'Groomer Has It' was shot in LA this winter. I can't tell you how it ends, but I hope to do another show."

Who Does This Job Best?
"Dealing with owners is major, so you must be reliable, understanding and discreet. You have to adore and respect dogs, because they know when you're critical or bored. You must style the dog to bring out its personality and to reflect the owner's status and look. You can't have a shaggy pooch walking beside your Manolo Blahniks!"

How's The Dough?
"Most groomers work for shops, and they make decent money. If you go independent and find devoted clients, you earn six figures. And groomers get tips and gifts."

What About Perks?
"This is an incredibly social field. I meet fabulous New Yorkers and even more fabulous New York dogs. I'm just a gaucho who loves dogs, and I'm living my dream."

What You Should Know
"Up there, somebody loves well-groomed dogs. God is definitely a dog person."