The M&J Story

Mother/daughter team Mary Louise and Hannah Shenk had both become licensed estheticians when it occurred to them that their passion for creating original home products was aimed at an entirely different clientele—their dogs.

Honing their experience and Mary Louise’s 15 years of study as she pursued her passion for herbalism, the duo began creating home grooming products for dogs.  After tireless research and safe testing, the founders of M&J Dog Essentials discovered that their great smelling, all-natural dog products did more than just clean and perfect their dogs’ coats. The natural blends of herbal infusions and botanicals in their holistic dog grooming products resulted in two very happy, healthy and well-balanced canine consultants. 

M&J Dog Essentials is based in Chicago. All of our essential dog grooming products are made with love in the USA and contain all-natural ingredients and fragrances that are free of sulfates, parabens and other potentially harmful chemicals. Find M&J Dog Essentials online and through discerning retailers.

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Behind the Name

As Mary Louise and Hannah worked to create M&J products, Moe, Hannah’s Boston Terrier, and Toby, Mary Louise’s Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier, began to be lovingly referred to as M&J’s canine consultants.

As their product line grew, the dynamic duo knew they needed a company name that was as special as their discerning products and clientele.

Moe was named after the family’s first lovable Boston Terrier Joe, who had gone to doggy heaven before Moe’s arrival. In thinking back on all the great memories the family had shared with Joe and looking forward to new ones they would create with Moe, they knew M&J was the perfect name. M&J Dog Essentials was born out of a family’s love for their furry friends and dedication to natural grooming products that would be mindful of a dog’s mind, body and spirit, ensuring they could put their best paw forward.