Meet the Pack Leaders

Get to know our family.

We’re a Dog Loving Family, that’s why we got into this business!

John, Neli, and João Lima together at a family celebration
John Lima with a freshly groomed dog inside the mobile grooming van
Vintage Lima family photograph

Since 2009

Dog-loving family business

Our story

Our journey as Dog Groomers!

Here is the story on the journey of how The Pack Leader came to be!

2009

Looking For A New Job

After being laid off, Neli began to look for a new career opportunity. Being dog owners, they sought to learn how to groom from experienced dog groomers. After a few months, she learned the trade.

2010 – 2012

Bought Our First Van

John, who was working as a car inspector at a local auction, saw a used mobile grooming van for sale. They decided to pull the trigger and invest years of savings into buying it. Now the business was up and running on the road!

2012 – 2019

Full Schedule

Due to the attention to detail, care, and customer satisfaction, The Pack Leader’s schedule reached full capacity a couple of years after opening, and we were unable to take new customers… Not a bad problem to have. 🙂

2019 – 2022

Best of City

The Pack Leader is awarded Best of the City and entered into the Business Hall Of Fame by Fremont City’s Award Program.

We continued to receive the award for the next 4 years.

2022

Headed to Texas

While visiting Texas, we fell in love with the people, the location, and the culture. After a long period of consideration, we decided to relocate. We uprooted our business and moved to the city of Heath, just east of Dallas.

2023

New Beginnings

Now that we are in a new area we are looking forward to new beginnings for The Pack Leader. We are rebuilding by doing what we do best, making sure that every customer and dog that we service, feels like family. We believe in quality over quantity and we look to reflect that in everything we do!

John and Neli Lima enjoying dessert together
Our mission

Feel at home. Feel like family.

Making every customer and pet feel at home and that means an experience that makes you feel like family. If there are ever any questions or concerns or if you just need some help or advice, customer or not, we welcome you to reach out to us and we will always do our best to be of service.

The people behind the van

Our family

John Lima

John Lima

Owner/Pet Groomer

Raised on a farm in Brazil, John has worked with animals his whole life. He’s passionate in building a relationship with every animal he works with.

Neli Lima

Neli Lima

Co-Owner

Neli was The Pack Leader’s first groomer. She paved the way for what the business has become by building a solid foundation through her detail-oriented grooming.
João Felipe Lima

João Felipe Lima

Marketing

With a background in video and a range of other skills, Jay takes care of The Pack Leader’s marketing needs.
Customer Testimonial
★★★★★

“He will treat you and your dog as complete family and he will go above and beyond for you and your pet. I could not recommend him more. I truly love him as a groomer and as a person…”

Ann G. 

Long Time Customer

Customer Testimonial
★★★★★
“We had The Pack Leader groom our dog Gracie for ten plus years before we lost her. So when we welcomed Murphy into our family, we knew that we wanted them to give him his first puppy grooming. We were lucky enough to have them be able to do that before they moved locations. They are so patient and so kind. We were so grateful.”
Lisa Souza

Long Time Customer

Years of happy clients

What our clients say about us

4.8
★★★★★

More than 100 happy customers

Posted on Google Google
hayley Griffin profile picture
hayley Griffin
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I desperately needed my little one groomed. Just moved to the area and started calling many places not knowing what to expect. John was the only one out of many places that called me back within an hour and he was able to get her in same-day. Very communicative and very helpful. He seemed very gentle with her. And very kind with me. I will definitely be calling him up again next time Mila needs a groom. I highly recommend his services.
Posted on Google Google
Murray Jones profile picture
Murray Jones
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John is great. He is always on time and does a fantastic job on my mini Aussie Callie. I highly recommend The Pack Leader.
Posted on Google Google
Camille Morgan profile picture
Camille Morgan
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John was very patient with my dog due to his anxiety and aggression. He was very welcoming and gave me tips to maintain his fur due to matting.
Posted on Google Google
Mary Dickson profile picture
Mary Dickson
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The Pack Leader does an amazing job with our mini golden doodle. Very kind, professional, and takes great care of our Oreo! Highly recommend.
Posted on Google Google
Scott profile picture
Scott
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We’ve been Pack Leader for our dogs and couldn’t be happier. He is always so patient, caring, and gentle with them, especially with our senior dog who needs a little extra attention and comfort. You can tell he truly loves animals and treats them like his own. The convenience of mobile grooming is great, but the level of care and kindness is what really stands out. Our dogs always come back looking great and feeling relaxed. Highly recommend!
Posted on Google Google
Judy Cochrane profile picture
Judy Cochrane
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This is by far the best groomer (mobile or otherwise) I have ever had. His attention to detail, his vast experience and his patience is outstanding. He really takes time to listen to his customer. He actually LOVES animals and takes tender care. Bottom line- I am always pleased.
Posted on Google Google
Bryn Henrie profile picture
Bryn Henrie
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We LOVE using The Pack Leader! I reached out a couple of years ago after losing our preferred doodle groomer at a local shop. We decided to try a mobile groomer, and I will never go back 😠My mini doodles have A LOT of hair, and they can be a bit much! But I can tell they are handled with such care and love every single time. They always come out looking flawless. I also really appreciate that there are never any cuts/burns. We will be loyal customers forever!
Posted on Google Google
Griselda Mendoza profile picture
Griselda Mendoza
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John is great!!! When I moved to Forney a couple of years ago I was in search of a mobile groomer because my dog and I had anxiety because the last groomer hurt my dog. Johns friendly demeanor soothed my Anxiety and we have been his client ever since. John is even works with my schedule!!! I definitely recommend him!
Posted on Google Google
Brent Brunson profile picture
Brent Brunson
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John has groomed our lagotto romagnolo for well over a year. He is seriously "the dog whisperer". We know our dog is in safe hands while being groomed and always comes home so happy:) John treats him kindly and knows which haircut he needs at various times of the year. Excellent with ear hair and nail cutting too! Thank you John!! (an extra plus is that he comes to our front door to take him and brings him back to the same door.)
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Bailey M. profile picture
Bailey M.
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
John has been grooming my Shih-Tzu for over 3 years now. He takes the best care of her and she comes out looking spectacular every time. I highly recommend The Pack Leader and couldn't see myself taking my dog to anyone else. 10/10 service!
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Jill R. profile picture
Jill R.
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Absolutely amazing! I have an anxious, aggressive schnauzer poodle mix (Neville) so places like PetSmart refused to even try to groom him. I'm a bit embarrassed that Neville is so difficult with strangers, so I was nervous bringing him to anyone and would avoid it until it was absolutely necessary. Then I found The Pack Leader. He takes the time to sit with Neville before starting anything. Neville never gets 100% comfortable during the sessions, but with each visit, he's getting better. Our first session took almost 3 hours. Today took less than 2! And he always looks great when I pick him up! I now have recurring appointments set up because we are so happy with The Pack Leader!
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Lorrie B. profile picture
Lorrie B.
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
our older dog Carlie is very anxious and always had intestinal issues after the groomers. Too much noise and chaos always resulted in a vet visit. She loves John, but hates the bath! He is so good with her and she is clean, smells good and relaxed. 10 of 10 would recommend.
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Derrick S. profile picture
Derrick S.
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
Wow! Is the best way to describe my experience with John, the Pack Leader for the Mobile Grooming Service I experienced. I have been looking for a reliable dog groomer since I returned to Forney. My experiences from some well known pet groomers in the area were less than Stella; however, my experience with the Pack Leader Mobile Grooming service was by far STELLA. I paid $32 dollars more than what I have ever paid for my fur baby, but what I desired for my fur baby is what I got, a full grooming that did not leave him looking a hot mess. Instead, John took time to calm my fur baby down by walking him and working with him to de-matt and care for his fur providing him with an even and smooth cut. I also appreciate John's patience by finding a time and day suitable for my schedule. This grooming service is Monday-Friday with no weekends. He also serves the Forney, TX area. John gave me some helpful tips to help me keep my fur baby's fur, which includes his tail, manageable. I highly recommend this dog grooming service if you are looking for top quality care for you fur baby. I am excited about my next appointment. I will work hard to ensure it is cheaper than this one by following up on John's grooming advice.
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Joe B. profile picture
Joe B.
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
I love these guys. I have a maltese who had never been groomed by a professional before. he is 4 yr old... i was clipping him myself. They did an EXCELLENT job. I was leary that my dog was going to snap at them but he didn't. I will be calling them to groom my dog again!
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Cassie L. profile picture
Cassie L.
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
I have never left a review before, but this groomer was incredible with my dog Luna today. She was extremely matted after being left with my parents while we traveled. He took the time to get to know Luna, walking her and loving on her before putting her in the van, then spent hours working on her matted hair. She also isn't stressed out like she normally is after being groomed. I highly recommend them.
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Amanda L. profile picture
Amanda L.
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
Found our new regular groomer for both our dogs! Was nervous to switch groomers since our dogs have anxiety issues and have been going to the same groomer for years but we've never liked that our dogs are gone for 6-8 hours and sitting in kennels surrounded by tons of other dogs barking (which causes added stress/anxiety)....so we decided to give this mobile grooming service a try. John was so nice and patient with both our dogs - he sat on their level petting them and getting to know them and then walked them around the yard as well. On top of all that, the dogs look AWESOME and smell great. He also did a great job on the nails because I no longer hear them "clacking" on our hardwood floors. Would definitely recommend this mobile groomer!
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Mary .. profile picture
Mary ..
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
Joao is the best groomer I have ever had. First off, he truly loves animals. This is so important when trusting someone with your pet. He is such a kind and gentle person. The first time he met my dogs he asked if he could bring them for a walk first so the dogs could get to know and be comfortable with him. This is a first by any groomer! He is so convenient because he comes to your home and picks your dog up from your front door. We have been grooming our pups for several years and have never found someone so passionate about pampering and caring for our dogs to make sure they look fabulous but are also not stressed out during the process. He is simply the best.
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Cindy F. profile picture
Cindy F.
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
I highly recommend The Pack Leader. John is a dog whisperer! I have an eleven year old Miniature Schnuazer who has recently been diagnosed with health issues, is very anxious about grooming and decided he was not going to be groomed. After being turned down by a couple of groomers who said they worked with senior dogs, I found The Pack Leader on Yelp. I called John and talked to him about my shy boy. John was very kind and reassuring. We set the appointment and when he arrived he took my dog and sat on the porch and chatted with him, then walked him a little bit before taking him into the grooming van. John did not rush and carried him to the door when the grooming was complete. I was amazed! My pup was relaxed and looked great! John is going to groom both of our pups when he returns in a few weeks. Worry no more. John is the very best!
Posted on Yelp Yelp
Katelyn A. profile picture
Katelyn A.
Yelp star 1Yelp star 2Yelp star 3Yelp star 4Yelp star 5Verified
He was very nice and did a great job! I would highly recommend! My dog did super well with him too.
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Join the family

Grooming at your doorstep.

Ready to treat your dog to a spa day with The Pack Leader…