As a young adult, Gina West's passion was horses. She loved everything about them. She participated in barrel racing. Then an injury prevented her from continuing to ride.

West, a true animal lover, was lost.

Soon after, she turned to another variety of four-legged friends -- canines.

"I thought there is bound to be something I can do with dogs," said West, 47, of Vinton.

Even though she also owns a small real estate appraisal business, West's love of dogs prompted her to open K9z & Kompany, a dog obedience school and pet grooming salon, with co-owner Barbara Steele, 39, of Blue Ridge. The business, which opened in mid-November, is located on Stewartsville Road in Bedford County.

The chance to open the grooming salon was a dream come true for both women. Steele has more than 13 years of grooming experience but took some time off over the years to spend more time with her family.

Most recently, Steele and West worked together at West's real estate appraisal company.

"I said, 'Barb, you need to get back into grooming,' " West said. "Barb is one of the best groomers in the area."

Even though West might be a bit biased toward her friend and co-owner, Steele has undergone extensive training and testing to become a certified groomer via the National Dog Groomers Association of America. She is certified in sporting and non-sporting grooming.

Steele is working on obtaining the master groomers certification, which she said only two other groomers in the Bedford County area have. To achieve that certification, she has to groom a long-legged breed and a short-legged breed for judges to critique, and pass a 400-question exam.

Grooming prices at K9z & Kompany are based on the dog's size, temperament and condition. A full-service grooming session also includes bathing, trimming pads and nails, and cleaning ears and anal glands.

K9z & Kompany also offers obedience classes or "puppy owner training," as West prefers to call them. West accepts puppies at least 12 weeks old. The six-week, $75 course covers the basic commands: heel, sit, down, stay and come.

For both West and Steele, the best part of the job is being able to bring their dogs to work. West has 16 of them, including Lacy, an award-winning Belgian tervuren, whose show name is Champion Zephyre Heartsafire, Companion Dog, Canine Good Citizen. Steele owns four boxers, and her home's newest addition is a shih tzu puppy, Kona, who belongs to her daughter.

"I saw all kinds of breeds when I went to school," West said. "The more I learned the more I wanted a dog to learn."

West also has five shepherds, two shelties, four papillons, three Yorkies and a chihuahua.

"My daughter is 26 now," West said. "When she turned 13 and stopped needing me, I started having dogs."

K9z & Kompany is located at 15630 Stewartsville Road. Call 890-5878.