‘It just blew us away,’ Hundreds remember beloved dog groomer’s impact on Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After Tom and Ellen McMillan’s daughter, Erin, suddenly passed away, days after complaining about her asthma, they were met with an outpouring of love and support from people who knew her.

“It just blew us away. It’s just like our hearts were just like, oh, my God, I can’t believe she’s touched so many lives,” said Ellen.

“It’s heartbreaking but it also makes us feel totally blessed, knowing how much she was loved and appreciated.”

Erin was a dog groomer known for her creative cuts.

A passion that her mother says started as a young girl.

“She was a free spirit,” said Tom. “She loved doing artistic grooming.”

Erin traveled the country to learn grooming techniques; earning the respect of her peers.

“I think it was her dependability. It wasn’t just cutting dog’s hair, she took pride in every dog that she groomed,” said Tom.

“It was something personal for her.”

Ellen added, “not only through grooming here, but just through the rescues and everything else that she did.”

Erin became one of the first admins for the Facebook group, “Lincoln and Surrounding Areas Lost and Found Pets,” which later grew to over 30,000 followers.

She would often groom the lost pets for free and then help them find a new home if their owners didn’t come forward.

“She’s always been a special little girl, you know,” said Tom.

“Our life right now is going to be a lot different because she isn’t there.”

Erin’s absence can be felt at work, too.

Her grooming station at Brandy’s Pet Salon now left empty except for gifts brought in from clients.

Owner Brandy Welch says she hasn’t had much time to grieve because she is taking over Erin’s clients left behind until she is able to search for more help.

“She’s gone too soon,” said Welch.

As for Erin’s own animals left behind?

“She still has a lot of dogs at her house,” said Tom. “That she’s rescued,” said Ellen.

“She considered those her children,” said Tom.

The McMillans are now actively taking a page from their daughter’s book and looking for new homes for those animals.

Ellen explained that her Erin’s partner Chris can’t take care of them all now that their household has a single income.

“If people want to reach out and help, that would be greatly appreciated,” said Ellen.

For those wanting to help support the work that Erin did, you can contribute here.

If you are interested in helping re-home her animals, you can reach out to her mom on Facebook.