Raising Up The Next Generation Of Pet Stylists

I started in the pet industry in 2002 working for PetSmart. In 2005 I began my grooming journey as a bather and graduated from the grooming academy in 2006. I never expected this would become such a passion and wonderful career, but here I am nearly 19 years on this path! On the way here I became a wife and mother, and also worked for Petco, a Lhasa Apso breeder, a couple small local shops, and was self-employed for 8 years. I'm excited for this next phase of my journey: passing on my knowledge and helping others achieve success as Professional Pet Stylists!

I have owned several grooming salons over the years as well as a Grooming Academy for 5 years. I currently co-own Fur the Love of Dogs in Georgia. I became a Master Groomer in 1997 and I also completed my Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and my Masters in Criminology. Most recently, in 2021, I earned my Doctorate of Management. I have been an instructor at AZ Pet Grooming Academy since 2021, and I love helping new pet stylists learn! I teach live from a distance via Zoom and provide grooming theory knowledge. At AZPGA we feel both hands on and dog theory are necessary for students to learn. I am proud to be the theory side. I love teaching the "why" of dog grooming. I look forward to teaching new students for many years to come!

Grooming for me is a way to create something new and beautiful. I love being able to make a pet feel more comfortable and the joy of seeing the client so happy when their pet is fully groomed and clean. After years of owning multiple grooming salons and working with a large number of pet stylists, my path began to turn when I realized the lack of professional, educated stylists in Arizona. Since Arizona does not require any certification to groom a pet, I was seeing more and more untrained stylists in the industry. I created AZPGA to help supply the pet grooming industry with highly educated, devoted, compassionate Pet Stylists. Seeing someone enter into our Academy without any pet experience and leave a fully trained Pet Stylist, ready to start their grooming career, has been life changing for me. I love being able to give others the opportunity to learn the skills needed to own their own business and create an extraordinary life for themselves.

I worked for many years in healthcare and hotel management where I first discovered my love of working with people from all different walks of life. I've had the pleasure of being in the pet industry for close to a decade now and have proudly called AZ Pet Grooming Academy home since 2022. During this time I've had the incredible opportunity to combine my love of animals with my passion for creating meaningful connections with those who also want to join this industry. You can think of me as your Grooming Academy Sherpa - Ready to guide you through the entire process from start to finish. With me you will get answers to all your burning questions and one-on-one guidance on how we will get you from an applicant to a student, and from a student to a Professional Pet Stylist!

I started grooming at home in the 1970's after I adopted a poodle. I wanted to learn how to groom professionally so in 1984 I went to work at a small grooming shop as the kennel help, hoping to work my way into grooming. The groomer quit. The owner handed me "The Notes from the Grooming Table" book and told me I was now the groomer. After teaching myself to groom there, I went to work at Belair Grooming School in Houston,Texas as a groomer and I assisted in teaching students to groom to get their Certification. In 1988 I purchased a small grooming and boarding business which I owned for eight years. I moved to Scottsdale in 1996 and retired for over twenty years. In 2018 I started working at Twin Tails Cageless Grooming as a groomer, and now I am now one of the instructors at AZ Pet Grooming Academy. I enjoy helping others to learn a skill that they enjoy doing and to see their happy faces when they have completed the Academy.

I've been in the grooming industry for 14+ years. I started out as a bather, and after 6 months of bathing for a large corporation, I went into their grooming academy and graduated as a Pet Stylist! I eventually became a Salon Manager but I knew something was missing and I did venture away from corporate grooming and found Twin Tails!! I love the concept of Cageless grooming and how stress free it is for the pets, clients and the people I work with (which is a big plus for me!) This company has helped me expand my knowledge (because every day you are still learning!) and to help others pursue their craft of becoming a Pet Stylist! I love to see the students in the Grooming Academy succeed in everything that they do!

I began grooming pets when I was a Veterinary Assistant in 2019, because we did not have a groomer at the time. I immediately fell in love with all the different types of haircuts and breeds. I always appreciated anyone's feedback when I was not so experienced. Now I am very delighted to assist anyone looking forward to becoming a cat or dog stylist!