Years ago I fell in love with potbellied pigs while doing volunteer work with Voices for Animals. For four years I spent many, many hours at Pigs*A*Lot (a sanctuary that has since been absorbed by the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary). There I learned much about pigs’ various behaviors and attitudes as well as how to care for their basic needs. In 2000, two friends and I began planning the opening of Ironwood to accommodate the increasing population of unwanted potbellied pigs. My friends were the owners but needed an onsite manager, a position that I quickly decided was just the job for me. Dr. Barbara Page, the local veterinary expert on pigs, worked closely with us to teach us the medical aspects of caring for hundreds of pigs. She also trained us to trim the hooves and tusks of the sanctuary pigs. With Ironwood providing a home for over 450 pigs, I have gained tons of experience with trimming! I was married to Justin Norton in June of 2004. Of course, I began training him to help out with the pigs! In January of 2006, we began our own business of hoof and tusk trimming, Norton’s Hoof and Tusk. Many pet pig owners have difficulty finding anyone to trim their pigs. Justin and I make house calls to owners throughout the state of Arizona to provide this service. Because of the experience of trimming the hooves of our own goats as well as a resident goat at the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary, we expanded our business to include goat trimmings. Most of our weekends are filled with visits to homes to take care of pigs and goats. Hoof and tusk trimming are a very important part of the health care of your potbellied pig. I truly enjoy the opportunity to meet so many owners and their precious piggies and to be able to provide such an important service to them.