Yes, I am on a soapbox again. I am so upset that I talked to Marea Tully to have her column deal with this topic. The problem has been around for decades, but I finally realized that I will have to make some noise about this… until it isn’t a problem anymore.
What is this thing I am bothered by? Health insurance. Yes, health insurance for groomers.
I have a groomer friend who is diabetic. She is tops. Great person. Great Groomer. No insurance. Why? “I just can’t afford it,” she says.
Another top groomer is battling cancer. No insurance. The call has gone out to help her financially. I am all for help, but why does an unbelievably
talented groomer have no insurance?
I know that these two groomers are not alone in our industry. I am afraid to ask just how many are uninsured. It is a sad situation in our industry. We work hard, work well, provide a wonderful service and can not provide for our own needs and the needs of our families. Who is too blame? Is it the insurance companies… or is it us?
Yes, insurance is high. It always has been. I remember years ago, when my husband was out of work and his insurance lapsed, we had to choose insurance premiums before food at times. He had a medical condition and could not be without insurance. So we met those bills on my grooming.
So what is the answer? You have to value yourself first. You have to build enough money into your grooming to cover yourself and your family.
My clients won’t pay increased bills, you say? Yes they will. Just last week, I was on the cruise with Jarbas and he talked about this very thing. He gets angry when a client asks him to cut him a break on grooming. Jarbas even asks his receptionist to call him immediately if a client whines and cries about his charges.
“This is a service business,” he says to Mr. Murmur. “If I can’t pay my groomers next week, would you loan me $500 for my payroll so they can be paid? Or if I can’t pay for health insurance, would you pay my doctor bill for me?” he questions his sarcastic client. The client probably wishes he never brought it up.
Jarbas values himself and his staff. He expects to work hard but he chooses to benefit from his hard work. If you can’t do that, or you can’t raise your prices sufficiently to cover insurance, you might as well work outside of this industry or work for one of the pet corporations who do provide insurance.
You can do it, though. What will it take? First it takes a commitment to raise your prices… and this is the time of year to do it. First, raise it on new clients and then move your others up. Be up front about it, if asked. Tell your clients that you have not had enough for health insurance (if they are rude enough to ask.) Ask them if they have health insurance, if you like.
At $500 per month for health insurance, you must increase each dog by about $4 (if you do six dogs a day.) If you lose a client over $4, then let them go. There are others out there.
There is no reason that you should put yourself or your family in jeopardy. Let’s kick this problem and change this industry right now. Let me get off this soapbox! God bless you.
Julie Wilkins Crowned World Champion at Groom Expo 2005
By Kathy Hosler
Photo by Animal Photography
“It was incredible!” exclaimed a breathless Julie Wilkins, as she hugged Jack, the impeccably groomed Springer Spaniel by her side. They had just won the 2005 GroomOlympics at Groom Expo in Hershey, Pa.
“It was such a surprise,” Julie added happily. “This was the first time I had ever groomed him.”
This milestone accomplishment is not really a surprise when you take a look at Julie’s career. When Julie Wilkins puts her mind to something, she does not stop until she accomplishes it.
Julie has always had a great love for dogs. She didn’t have a dog of her own, so in high school Julie started washing dogs on the weekends at a local kennel. She got to be around the dogs she loved and with that job she was able to buy her very first car.
Julie attended college at the Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute and graduated in 1997 from the Grooming and Kennel Management program.
It was her grooming instructor in college, Denise King, who introduced Julie to the grooming contest world and encouraged her to try her hand at competing.
“I was very, very nervous at my first competition,” confesses Julie “but I had a lot of fun and took a second place with the English Setter I had entered. I love grooming dogs. I think it is an art form.”
“That second place win was the beginning of the end,” Julie adds with a hearty chuckle, “I was hooked!”
Since that first contest, Julie has become a regular in the competition ring, winning many awards, titles and trophies all over the United States. She was even a member of Groom Team USA in 2003.
Now that she is a veteran in the grooming ring, you might assume that Julie no longer gets nervous before a competition.
Well, you would be wrong. “I still have grooming contest nightmares before a competition,” Julie admits, “you know, the kind where I am running out of time, or I have forgotten my clippers or scissors.”
But in the contest ring it is a different story. Julie is in total control. “When I am in the ring, I allow myself a certain amount of time for each part of the dog I am working on. Once I feel that I am ahead of the game (time wise), I start to relax and I have time to fine tune my grooming,” Julie explains. “Also, I try not to look at the other dogs and competitors during the competition. I just try to focus on my guy and what I am doing.”
Apparently what Julie is doing works very well. This is the second year in a row that she has been the World Champion of the GroomOlympics at Groom Expo in Hershey.
The premier sponsor of the GroomOlympics is PETsMART. Sponsoring this and other grooming events is important to PETsMART.
According to Erick Goldberg, PETsMART’s Director of Talent Selection, “The industry has been very, very good to PETsMART and we want to give back to the industry and to help it grow.”
“Two very important things in our industry are professionalism and education,” Goldberg states. “Professionalism is how we dress, how we think about ourselves, and how we treat our customers and their pets.”
“And, as for education, our industry is constantly changing and getting better,” he adds enthusiastically. “Where can you get a better education than at the Barkleigh Shows?”
“We encourage groomers to enter competitions because they are a measuring stick of their skills,” emphasizes Mr. Goldberg. “One huge benefit of being in a competition is that the judges can tell you where you can improve.”
The International Judges Association judges GroomOlympics and many other competitions. The IJA is a system that brings highly qualified international judges together on a panel and the panel determines the winners of each contest.
This year, distinguished judges from the USA and as far away as Germany and Poland selected the GroomOlympics World Champion.
The GroomOlympics is an intensive two-day competition consisting of four tournaments. There was the Lambert Kay Sporting Breed Tournament, Gibson Governor Terrier Tournament, Tropiclean Mixed and Other Purebreds Tournament and Andis Poodle Tournament.
The winners of each of these tournaments gave it their all as they vied for the world championship. The thrill of victory was within their reach as the judges inspected their dogs for the final time. Each one was meticulously groomed and flawlessly presented.
The judges conferred and reached their decision. It was the fabulous Springer Spaniel groomed by Julie Wilkins that stood out from all the rest. She was crowned the GroomOlympics World Champion.
This incredible gal has taken her lifelong love of dogs and catapulted it into a sensational career.
Besides being outstanding in the contest ring, Julie has her own business. Julie is the owner/operator of Best In Show Mobile Grooming in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Her clients support her and eagerly follow her career in the competition ring.
If that doesn’t keep her busy enough, Julie is also a professional handler in the show ring and has finished quite a few champions.
What does the future hold for Julie “the amazing gal who sets goals for herself and doesn’t stop until she achieves them?”
“Well, I’m very career motivated and I am a competitive person by nature. Grooming, competing, handling and showing – I want to do it all!” Julie says confidently. “And someday,” she adds with a smile and a twinkle in her eye, “marriage and kids, you know, the white picket fence and all that goes with it, if I can find the time.”
The remarkable Julie Wilkins. If anyone can do it all, she can.
Click here for Winner Pictures
Julie Wilkins, of Best in Show, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, captured the GroomOlympics World Championship at Groom Expo, held recently at Hershey, Pennsylvania. She received $5,000.00 from PETsMART, the top sponsor this year, giving $8500.00 in prize money. This is the second year in a row Julie has won the GroomOlympics World Championship.
The International Judges Association sanctioned the contests. Grooming was judged on three levels. Judges for the event included Karin Kretschmer, Zbigniew Lenarcik, Judy Bremer-Taxman, Teri DiMarino, Judy Kurpiel, Kathy Rose, Marea Tully, Judy Breton, Jarbas Godoy, Karla Addington-Smith and Joey Villani. John and Vivian Nash directed the panel.
Winner of Best In Show, Level 2 was Rose-Marie Cabana from The
Pampered Pet, in Oakham, Massachusetts. Her prize totaled $2500.00 from PETsMART. Shannon Tupes, of About Pets Center in Salem, Virginia, took home $1000.00 for her Level 1 Best In Show win!
Elaine Chelak received the Kindness Award offered by International Professional Groomers, Inc. Jackie Boulton won the Selwyn Mendelsohn Presentation Award, sponsored by Stylist Wear.
GroomOlympics Competition Winners
GroomOlympics World Champion:
Julie Wilkins
Rose-Marie Cabana, Level 2, Best In Show
Shannon Tupes, Level 1, Best In Show
(BIC) Best in Class, (T) Technical, (P) Profile, (D) Difficulty
Poodles (click here for Poodle Tournament Winner Pictures.)
Level 3: BIC-Jackie Boulton;
T-Misty Fowler; P-Julie Wilkins; D-Jackie Boulton
Level 2: BIC-Rose-Marie Cabana;
T-Lindsey Berry; P-Rose-Marie Cabana; D-Jill Kaplan
Level 1: BIC-Amy Landis: P-Amy Landis; D-Jamie Bearn
Sporting (click here for Sporting Tournament Winner Pictures.)
Level 3: BIC-Julie Wilkins;
T-Karen Tucker; P-Vero Da Sylva; D-Julie Wilkins
Level 2: BIC-Marie Smith;
T-Marie Smith; D-Lindsey Berry
Level 1: BIC-Krystal Purcell;
T-Stacey Kelly; P-Krystal Purcell; D-Brannon Usko
Terriers (click here for Terrier Tournament Winner Pictures.)
Level 3: BIC-Misty Fowler;
T-Karen Tucker; P-Jared Lane; D-Misty Fowler
Level 2: BIC-Lindsey Berry; P-Liz Hanley; D-Lindsey Berry
Level 1: BIC-Shannon Tupes;
T-Carol Basta; P-Shannon Tupes; D-Margaret Talbot
Mixed and Other Purebreds
(click here for Mixed and Other Purebreads Winner Pictures.)
Level 3: BIC-Misty Fowler;
T-Jackie Boulton; P-Vero Da Sylva; D-Misty Fowler
Level 2 BIC-Lindsey Berry;
T-Liz Hanley; P-Lindsey Berry; D-Jill Kaplan
Level 1: BIC-Shannon Tupes;
T-Ronda Nottingham;
P-Shannon Tupes;
D-Olga Zabelinskaya
Best Image
Shannon Tupes
Kindness Award
Elaine Chelak
Selwyn Mendelsohn Award
Jackie Boulton
It was September and more than 3000 of them had gathered. They were ready – really ready. Ready to escape from their everyday grind of work, release a year’s worth of stress, talk shop with someone who really understands what a groomer’s life is like and to enjoy a weekend of learning, fun, fellowship, shopping and chocolate.
Is this just a fantasy or does such a wonderful place exist? Oh, yes! It’s real! It is Groom Expo and Animal Behavior and Training Expo, of course.
Groom Expo has been the lifelong dream of Sally Liddick. She took her dream and ran with it. Now, with Sally’s loving care, patient guidance, and unending hard work, along with the efforts of Gwen Shelly and the entire Barkleigh Bunch, Groom Expo is the largest gathering of pet care professionals anywhere in the world.
Year after year, groomers from all over convene at the majestic Hershey Lodge and Convention Center to experience all this and more. It is the ideal place to host Groom Expo. The Hershey Lodge is fabulous with a wonderful staff that will go the extra mile to make sure you feel pampered and have a terrific stay. The convention center is huge with room for everything; the trade show booths, seminar rooms, contest area, Off Lead training area, and dining rooms. And, Hershey is a happy, fun place with lots of attractions for you and your family to enjoy.
This year’s activities kicked off on Thursday with several daylong seminars and a two-day Animal Behavior Conference presented by Dr. Suzanne Hetts and Dr. Daniel Estep.
Their tremendously informative program covered dog and cat behavior and techniques to handle difficult pets. “It is imperative that you know how to read the body language of the pet you are working on,” Dr. Hetts emphasized, and then she went on to explain the different body positions and their meanings.
Their insight and knowledge gave attendees lots of helpful information that will benefit them daily as they interact with their customers and pets.
The first ever Internet Social was held Thursday evening. Groomers from as far away as Australia had the opportunity to put faces to the friends they had come to know through the Internet. It was an amazing evening with lots of networking and laughter. There were gift bags for attendees and drawings for great door prizes.
Friday’s events started at 9 AM, but well before that time groomers were gathering in the registration area, where Frank Brown warmly welcomed them to Groom Expo and to Hershey with a huge display of Hershey’s candies that everyone happily enjoyed.
Excited attendees discussed the full schedule of events as they planned their day’s activities. Fortunately, Barkleigh once again offered the Do it All package, because that is what everyone planned on doing.
Friday was filled with activities from start to finish. The popular Blue Ball Express provided groomers with a daylong escape from reality as they traveled back in time to the town of Lititz, then on to the Ephrata Cloister. A visit to the Sturgis Pretzel Factory proved to be very entertaining as everyone tried their hand at making pretzels. Shall we say that some had less than perfect results as evidenced by the hearty giggles of the assemblers?
The last stop of the tour was the Shady Maple Smorgasbord where they enjoyed delicious Pennsylvania Dutch food from a 220-foot long buffet. It seemed that every food and dessert that you could imagine was there, and everyone did their best to try as many of them as possible.
Beginning on Friday morning at the Expo and continuing throughout the weekend, there was the Debbie and the Newbies Tour. Debbie Beckwith, escorted first time Groom Expo attendees through the convention center to acquaint them with the different events, seminars, and trade show, and to meet some of the VIPs of Groom Expo.
The tour was terrific and it also gave first time attendees a chance to meet each other and soon friendships were formed that would last through the weekend and far beyond.
The Friday evening Equipment Care Clinic gave groomers the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of caring for the equipment that they value and depend on every day. Randy Lowe presented step-by-step instructions on the care and maintenance of different brands of clippers and offered solutions for common problems that every groomer faces, such as learning how to fix a blade that is rattling on a clipper. His informative session gave knowledge and confidence to the novice and seasoned groomer alike to be able to perform maintenance and repairs on their equipment.
Anyone who thought that Friday was a busy day, soon realized that it was just a preview for Saturday. There were over twenty-five seminars topics scheduled throughout the day. Even with the Do it All package, there was no way to see them all. Fortunately, audio, DVD and videotapes were available and attendees could purchase their favorites to enjoy over and over.
To be continued in next issue.
Health and Liability Insurance
By Marea Tully
Several times in the last two years the plea has gone out to the pet care industry to send donations or aid in any way. This is to help other groomers alleviate the financial burdens brought on by a catastrophic accident, terminal illness and a hurricane named Katrina. None of these groomers had health insurance and many don’t have liability insurance.
We all seem to understand and have car insurance, so why do we ignore these? How does this happen? It is so sad to realize that much of the pain and plight of these people could have been eliminated if they had only had the proper insurance. “Insurance, we can’t afford insurance! We’re only dog groomers!”
Well, we may be “only dog groomers” (that’s another subject) but our pain, fear, medical bills, loss of income and hopelessness is just as real as anyone in any profession and we must have the means to take care of ourselves and our families. The truth is we cannot afford to be without insurance.
You can get health insurance along with discounts on prescriptions, eye and dental care for as little as $315 a month, with a $1500 deductible and no co-pay for one person. $315 a month breaks down to $73 a week, that’s one dog a week you have to groom to not have to worry about being in a terrible car accident, being diagnosed with cancer or some other debilitating disease. If you join your local Chamber of Commerce for about $200.00 a year ($3.85 a week, less than a toe nail clipping) you will be able to buy health insurance at a group rate. They offer many plans with deductibles and I’m sure you’ll find one that will suit your needs.
You can get liability insurance for as little as $50 a month ($11.63 a week) from the Gibson-Governor Insurance Company. You need protection to repair or replace your building, equipment, stock, furniture or fixtures. You need to protect your business against claims for injuries to your customers, the general public or from damage to the property of others.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know the animals in your care are covered against injury or death and lawsuits from the performance of your professional duties as a pet groomer or kennel owner can be covered? This company will even cover you for actual loss of earnings up to twelve months. They have special policies for grooming salons, mobile groomers, kennel owners and pet sitters.
Insurance is not a luxury. It is a NECESSITY. How do you afford it? Add the cost of the insurance to your monthly expenses, divide that figure by how many days you work in a month and then divide that by the hours you work in a day. You then know how much an hour it costs you to do business. To that figure you must add what you wish to make for yourself and don’t forget the government’s share.
Your insurance premium is a justified business expense and also tax deductible. If you don’t want to go to that bother, simply take the amount it’s going to cost you a month, divide it by the number of dogs you groom in a month and raise your prices by that much for each dog. You will then have the money you need for health and life insurance.
None of us know when the next fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, tornado or hurricane will hit and we need to be prepared. None of us know who the next groomer will be to receive some devastating or life threatening news and we must be prepared. PLEASE guys, do this for you. If we don’t make enough money to take care of ourselves, how will we have any to give?
If you have any usable grooming equipment that you would like to donate to the groomers that were wiped out from Hurricane Katrina, please send them to Wanda Dewberry, 11119 Allen Road, Gulfport, Ms 39503 and she will pass them out to the groomers who need them.
See you on the road,
Marea
Creating Gift Sales
By Paul Winston
The most successful gift boutiques run by groomers feature breed specific personalized products. The more personalized the items, the more meaningful they become as gift items. Leashes, collars, food, dog beds, etc. are not gift items. These are necessities that go along with owning a dog. It is very difficult for a grooming operation to compete with the pet superstores of the world in selling these items. They buy in bulk quantities and get a lower cost than is possible for the independent groomer.
Whatever the gift occasion – birthdays, father’s day, mother’s day, Christmas – the gift is for the pet lover, not the pet. By offering your clients items that relate specifically to their dog, the grooming operation can add to their bottom line and create goodwill.
Because grooming salons often have limited space to allocate to gift products, it is important that you select products that can display well in a small amount of space and from a supplier who has a broad range of breeds in the products they offer. Finding suppliers who have products in stock, or who make custom products quickly, is key to the “groomer boutique” success.
This allows the salon to spend very few dollars and still offer a range of products. Some specialty suppliers will drop ship items to your customers. This eliminates handling, boxing and shipping. Limit your investment by having a range of samples and then ordering products as you make sales.
How do you get customers to buy your products? This is called marketing. Marketing will only succeed if you pay attention to all the aspects of selling.
1. Point of sale display: You must attractively and neatly display your gift items. If you treat your merchandise in a shoddy manner you will never create a successful gift department. A six-foot display case can serve the duel purpose of showing gift items and being a desk for bookkeeping.
2. Repetition is one of the most important aspects of marketing. An individual may require a number of exposures to a product before making a purchase. To this end you should create a sheet that lists your gift items and briefly states something about each item. You give one of these sheets to each client every time they come to pick up their dog. Three or four times a year. (Immediately after Thanksgiving is a good time.) You mail a promotional letter to your mailing list. These repeated exposures plant what you are doing in their memory bank so that when they need a gift, they think of your gift items.
3. Enthusiasm: Talk the products up! You should be wearing a watch with your dog on it. What better way to illustrate how an individual can put their own pet onto an item?
The Chipp2 products are perfect for groomers who want to create a gift boutique. Most salons put in a sampling of different products and then order items as sold. Men’s neckties, women’s cosmetic bags, suspenders and belts are offered in 90 breeds. Watches and paperweights are offered in 150 breeds.
Many of the Chipp2 products can be seen at the Chipp2 web site
(http://www.chipp2.com). Call Paul Winston for wholesale price information (212) 687-0850.
When it comes to grooming, I am like the vast majority of you I would guess. I will try my dead level best to get a grooming job accomplished. This includes dealing with those that poop, pee, fidget, table cling, scream and bite (or try to). Those that outweigh you (which is a feat in and of itself), hump you, claw your arms off, incessantly lick at the clippers and scissors, refuse to hold their feet to let you cut those nails, get diarrhea in the cage and/or carry on like a banshee when they are in the cage.
Through all this, I have never used and never will try to use a tranquilizer. Not even those “natural” ones. In my mind I always compare such things to peanuts. They too, are a “natural” thing. But, just look at how many people are deathly allergic to them.
I could see it now. I'd try one of those and have to call the owner saying, “Fluffy was really uncooperative today so I gave her some herbal tranquilizer. The good news is that she has never looked so good. All four feet are beautifully done. Her topknot is simply GORGEOUS! She even let me trim all her nails this time. She was so good I even was able to polish them. We do have a tad of a problem though. Her tongue is hanging out to the side and her eyes have rolled back into her head. She's pretty limp and doesn't seem to be breathing. Oh...and there's no discernable pulse.... I’m not sure, but she may be dead. I'm giving you a discount today for that. You only owe me thirty bucks. You can pick her up anytime. Thanks.”
Yeah, that would be my luck. However, for all my efforts I still occasionally get accused of using a tranquilizer. I have actually been told the owner knows I used one because nobody has ever been able to get the dog done without being bitten. They want to see my hands to prove I have some bite marks. If I didn't show them some blood (mine), they knew I had doped the dog.
I had a call from a lady one day asking why I used a tranquilizer on her dog. When I told her that I hadn't, she asked me “Why then would the dog have come home and taken a nap at 3:00 in the afternoon. She always takes one at 4:00.” “Maybe she was tired,” was my explanation.
Another caller said she knew I had tranquilized her dog because when she got home she shook her head several times and her earflap kept flopping over on top of her head. It just sat there inside out. “What should she do about it?” she asked. “Flop it back down,” I said.
Then there was the one who's dog's third eyelid crossed over when it was falling asleep that night. The woman had never seen such a thing in the dog's eye and she was going to rush it to the Vet to see if it was going blind from my tranquilizing.
One dog that had been severely matted and necessitated a total strip down was finished without incident. The guy took the dog home and promptly called me in a panic. “Did you tranquilize my dog?” he asked accusingly. “No, I didn't. What's wrong?” I asked. “Well, he keeps looking at things in the house and is barking at them,” he responded. “Had you noticed that his face was completely matted down over his eyes when you brought him in?” I asked. “I know,” he said. “Well, did it occur to you that maybe he wasn't able to see before and now everything is new to him?” I asked rather sarcastically.
“Ugh....” was the only thing I heard from him. Two days later he called me to say the dog was back to normal and....waalaah! He had also quit banging his head on the legs of the kitchen chairs.
Sometimes I think it's the OWNERS that should be banging their heads into the chairs.
Holidays are Coming!
Chris Pawlosky
It is time to get ready. The Holidays are upon us! I always find myself behind the eight ball when the crazy time comes. Never being completely prepared myself, I want to help get us all ready.
First, let’s do a checklist of product. How is your shampoo supply? Do you need new blades or do you have blades that need to be sharpened? Having at least two of each blade size in working order is important. Three sets would be even better. Do you have back-up clippers? Whether you buy new or refurbish your older models, make sure you have an extra clipper or two stored and in good repair.
Do not forget your scissors. It never fails that the week before Christmas you are rushing around and oops, the scissors are on the floor. Make sure you have at least two extra pair that are sharp. These products are on the top of my checklist. But there are so many little things that we need to do. Check your supplies of Kool Lube, oils, blade washes, disinfectants and cleaners, ear wash, nail care items, towels and all your daily paper products.
Don’t forget the fun stuff! It is so important to leave a lasting impression for your holiday clientele. Things like fall-colored ribbon with a few turkeys and pumpkins on it and a nice selection of Christmas ribbon. Classy and cute. Do not forget the different ethnic backgrounds. Something for everyone is important. To match your ribbon, a collection of nail polish is a necessity. There are holiday colognes that smell so good they make you hungry. Ginger bread is my clients’ favorite.
Take the time a few weeks before each holiday to clean and decorate. Mobiles can be festive too. Your clients will notice. The most important thing is to make clients feel special with a small token of your appreciation for another year of patronage. Cards, dog treats, handmade ornaments, calendars and picture frames are just some. The ideas are endless.
To a stress free holiday,
Christina Pawlosky
Do you give Christmas gifts to your clients? What do you give or make that works well for you?
Yes, I give Christmas presents to all of my pet clients. I begin giving them out right after Thanksgiving. I own a boarding kennel/grooming parlor. For all of the dogs groomed in the month before the holiday, I give out rawhide candy canes in a Ziploc holiday bag with a big bow and name tag on it. Kitties that are groomed get a can of Fancy Feast with a bow on top. For all of the dogs boarded in the kennels, I give them a Christmas bag with a can of Cesar rawhide chews and snacks like Milk Bones, Snausages, etc. I also buy a stuffed toy in the Christmas theme for the boarded dogs. Kitties in the kennels get a large stocking with all types of toys, catnip and the like. They also get a can of Fancy Feast with a bow on top! I have a great business, and I think that pets in the kennels should get a special package of treats so that the owners feel less guilty about boarding over a holiday. It is hard to leave your pets, especially at Christmas! Plus, this is the perfect time to show how much you appreciate their business. I have a great clientele of repeaters, and I really do love them! Ann Housler
I do give gifts for my clients at Christmas time. Last year, I made two different ceramic ornaments that looked like Lenox. One was a wreath and the other a snowman. I put each client’s pet’s name in gold. They were a big hit. I am not sure how to top that one this year! Lisa Correia, Bark 'N Purr Mobile Pet Salon
Last year, I bought inexpensive fabric in red, green and blue. I cut it into bandannas using pinking shears, and I made iron-ons using my computer that said cute things for the holidays. My favorite was “Jingle Bells, the backyard smells, because I laid an ‘egg,’ Mom yelled at me, 'cause I marked the tree, and humped on grandpa's leg!” Amie Tolomeo, Berlin, NJ
The Christmas gift all my customers love is a picture I take of their dog or cat after a grooming, already framed for them. It's easy today with a digital camera. You can print your own, and buy frames inexpensively. I write a special note on their Christmas card and include homemade treats on top of the package tied on with curly ribbon. I start early taking pictures and buying frames. Cheryl Piech, Livingston, Tennessee
I work in an incorporated pet store with a grooming salon. As groomers there, we don't have a whole lot of say in what we are allowed to give out. We do like to add a personal touch to the dog's grooming. I like to buy holiday fabric and cut them into bandannas. I like to get not necessarily Christmas designs, but more seasonal. You never know what religion your client is. Perhaps they don’t celebrate Christmas, so I buy fabric with snowflakes or snowmen or gingerbread men, or polar bears and penguins in hats and mittens. I do the same for all other holidays too. We also buy packages of small stockings and stick little treats in there or bows that coordinate with the bandanna given. Molly Plumb
I always give some small token of my appreciation to my clients during the holidays. Every year, I try something different, from homemade dog treats to small crafty pieces. The gift that elicited the most excitement was a clear glass ornament that contained a snip of the dog's hair inside. I bought the clear glass bulbs in bulk, then, before the season started, I sprinkled some holiday colored/shaped sequins into the bulbs. Using a gold metallic marking pen, I wrote the name of my business and the year on one side of the bulb. The day of the grooming visit, I saved a snip of the dog's clean hair and tied it with colorful ribbon and then placed that inside the bulb. Finally, using the gold marker, I would write the dog's name on the opposite side of the bulb. I received so many appreciative comments for this gift. Plan ahead, get creative and have fun! Sherry A. Robbins, MoonDoggies Grooming & Design, LLC, Shandon, Ohio
This will be my first year as a salon owner (after 17 years elsewhere). I plan on taking pictures of the dogs after grooming with reindeer antlers on, with a holiday backdrop. Then I’ll hang the pictures in ornaments on a tree for them to take after their holiday grooming. When the season is over I won't have to undecorate the tree and hopefully they will all love it. I am not a pro photographer but they will know I love their dogs and I tried! In the past I had given out mini stockings with the dog's name in glitter on it with a couple biscuits. Alyssa Janelle, The Mutt Hut, Henniker, NH
I give all my clients a stuffed animal and a bag of treats along with a 10% off grooming card. This works very well for me, and my customers are very appreciative. Lori's Grooming, LLC, Franklin, NJ
To my favorite clients I gave gift certificates to get a free oil change and check up for their cars. They loved it and thought it was great. Then to other clients I give Christmas bandannas, neck bands with bows on them (I make them myself) and different bows as well. Sandra Fusato from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
We try to give out holiday gifts to our clients. Several gifts that have gone over well: small bottles of wine with a couple of dog biscuits tied with festive curling ribbon, magnetic picture frames with the center 'pop out' with our business information imprinted, holiday pens (reindeer, Santa, snowmen) and little baggies of dog cookies tied festively. I believe it's a great idea to give out holiday items. The customers love it and it's something extra that they don't expect and they appreciate the effort. Go as crazy or simple as you want, a gift is a gift! Carol E Sparks-Oot NCMG, Not Just Poodles Pet Salon, Whitesboro NY
For the past three years, I have been giving two gifts to my customers. The first remains the same. I give dog calendars with my appointment cards inserted. The calendars are imprinted with my name, logo, slogan and website plus address and phone number. It keeps me in my customers' minds all year long and they love it. For my second gift, that is always different. I've given dog and cat toys, photo frame doggie ornaments, personalized Christmas stockings, bags of treats and this year, I'm trying to come up with something. My customer base has increased so it gets more difficult each year. Janie Semprevivo, Wag 'N Wash, Inc.
Month-at-a-glance pocket calendars, soft sided. Customers ask for them two months in advance, so they can keep all their appointments for grooming as well as other important data all in one small booklet. Joanne Boyles, J. Boyles Grooming, Cranberry Twp, Pa
I give Christmas gifts. This year I am giving them three samples of our products we use: Oral Fresh, Simply Plum Cologne, and Silk N Finish, all from Natures Specialties. The Pampered Pet (mobile grooming salon), Northern Idaho
I give Christmas presents to all clients that I have from Thanksgiving to Christmas. One year I made scented candles in baby food jars and gave my four-legged clients homemade doggy treats that I put in holiday cellophane bags. Another year I bought lots of hot pads with cute Christmas puppies on them and again I also attached doggy treat candy canes to them. My clients act like I gave them gold! Cindy Blatt, Cindy's Canine Companions Salon & Services
One of the most useful gifts I ever gave in my shop was a plastic id tag that I ordered online. It was a red heart which read “My groomer loves me” on one side and “If lost call salon (phone)” on the other. By attaching these adorable tags to their collars before they left the shop, some of these dogs had the only form of identification on their bodies. I got four phone calls this year and helped track down the owners of dogs who could have been lost forever if they didn't have my tag on them! They ran me about $1.50 each and were well worth it in the long run. Linda Lombardi, The Scissor Wizard Dog Grooming, Dunedin, FL
This year I'm making doggie bone ornaments with Milk Bone dog bones (medium). I spray them with polyurethane and then I put on eyes, nose and a tail. I make a collar for them by adding gems. This catches lights on the tree. They all have hats and that's the hardest part. I tie a brown sewing thread around the middle of the dog for hanging. I will do bones in silver and blue collar for Hanukkah. Joanie Watson, Dippy Dogs, Newark DE
Last year was my first Christmas. I handed out small gift bags with a decorative treat bag filled with assorted dog cookies, a Greenie and a tennis ball. I filled out a tag with the dog's name for the bag as well. This was ALOT of work and not something I will have time for this year, as business has pretty much tripled! This year, I was hoping to get Santa hats and antlers to put on the dog and then take a digital photo after the groom is finished and give it to the client at pick up. Helena Buettner, Madra Pet Styling, Milwaukee, WI
I print Christmas postcards for each client saying Merry Christmas and thanking them for their patronage and give 15% off a grooming before May 1 of the following year. I also give rawhide treats to those that come in from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Lisa Sweet, L Sweet pet Grooming, Farmington, NH
Gather ideas for the holidays by requesting Barkleigh Production’s Christmas Idea Book. Order on-line at barkleigh.com.
Don’t pass on this once in a lifetime adventure! Join Barkleigh on the Alaskan Pet Pro Cruise, May 14 — 21, 2006. Ports of call include Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and the beautiful island of Victoria, British Columbia, also known as the Garden City. This tax-deductible cruise will feature top Pet Industry Speakers and the chance to experience the seacoast of Alaska!
See the Galloping Hubbard Glacier — a five miles long, forty stories high force of nature that stands before Mounts Logan and Elias. See eagles, whales, and otters during your visit!
Yakutat Bay, a secluded region located between Juneau and Valdez, boasts the highest population of rare Glacier Bears, known as “blue bears”, due to their odd coloring. River otters and Lynx can be spotted near rivers and lakes.
Victoria is in the midst of the most spectacular natural beauty in the world. The city combines the formality of afternoon tea with exhilarating ocean whale-watching adventures; exquisite and delicate beauty of many fragrant and colorful gardens with awe-inspiring untouched beauty. As Canada's westernmost city and the capital of the province of British Columbia, Victoria is a sophisticated seaside resort city.
Staterooms start at $1229 and include meals and room service, private bath, taxes, fees, lodging, entertainment and all the exciting Pet Pro Activities.
Sign up now! Space is limited.
Contact Lucy Wheeler at 407-898-5353, or e-mail lwheeler@nlg.com
Recently, I was driving down a fast, broad street near my neighborhood. I gradually eased over toward the left turn lane that leads to my house. I could see that the light was green, so I would be able to cruise through my left-hand turn without stopping. Then I saw the dog. Right in the middle of the intersection was a small, apparently clueless dog, barking defensively at the passing cars. I recognized the dog as a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. As I slowed down to avoid hitting the dog, I opened my car door and called to the dog. A car whizzed past just as I called to him and the dog was startled into running toward me. With a short-legged leap, the dog jumped into my car, right beneath my legs. I decided not to try to reposition him, so I drove carefully the last few blocks to my house.
As I pulled into my driveway and parked, I slipped a lightweight leash from the glove box. This is the same type of throw-away leash that many veterinary clinics use. Now that I had transported this little guy away from his normal territory, I was morally obligated to make sure he didn’t escape before I could contact his owner. I slipped the leash over his head and opened the car door. I held the leash over his head so that he was mometarily prevented from bolting out the door. My goal was to slide my other hand under his belly, and then lift him up to my side, where I could comfortably support his back while retaining control. As my hand slipped under his tummy, the Corgi gave a snarl and attempted to shorten my thumb with his teeth. In case you are wondering, that’s why the other hand holds the leash up in the air – as long as I kept tension on the leash, he couldn’t bite my other hand. As soon as my hand retreated, the dog stopped snarling and instantly returned to being cute. I changed my tactics and let him jump out of the car without my assistance.
Once I had the dog secured in my house, I carefully examined his tags and found out that his name was Buster and that he lived nearby. I made a quick phone call and contacted his frantic owner. She jumped in her car and rushed over to reclaim her Baby Buster. At the end of our conversation, she advised me about one aspect of Buster’s temperament. “Buster really doesn’t like it when you pick him up. He has chronic back trouble.”
If my rescue effort with Buster seemed pretty simple, it was. From the moment I saw him in the street until his reunion with his family, Buster was reunited in the same time as it takes to get a 30 minute pizza. With more than eight years experience working in animal welfare and rescue agencies, I am familiar with the process and have rescued several hundred animals over the years, in a variety of situations. However — even with all that experience, I made a careless mistake that could have gotten me injured.
You have probably racked up a number of similar experiences. Few people can look at a stray dog and not want to help the animal return home. While many thousands of rescues happen every year, not all are successful. Every year, some rescues end tragically for the animal, the human, or both. In our haste to help, we may inadvertently place ourselves in the same danger that threatens the animal. While we are there to offer help and salvation, the dog is unlikely to understand or react pleasantly to our assistance. Frightened and injured dogs are very likely to bite at any target that comes toward them — including a potential rescuer.
Realizing that it is very natural to want to help a defenseless animal, a jolt of reality may at least help you do it safely. The outcome of amatuer dog catching is often tragic, albeit well-meaning. For instance, if you botch the job, the animal may be killed or injured – specifically because you tried to save it. If you accidentally cause an accident by chasing an animal into a busy street you may be liable for any injuries or damages – and you may also be injured or killed in the process. When in doubt, call the appropriate agency to handle the problem.
If after all these cautions you still want to offer assitance to a lost or injured animal, here are some thoughts that may help you succeed, safely.
• The first rule of dog catching is to avoid getting hit by a car. It is extremely easy to allow the animal's peril to cloud your judgment. Your humanitarian goal will not stop a car from hitting you. Likewise, if someone swerves to miss you (or the dog you just scared into the street) and hits a tree, it’s your responsibility.
• Try to place yourself between the animal and a dangerous situation. If the dog is headed toward a busy intersection, try to get to the intersection first. Without appearing to be interested in the animal, go beyond it and attempt to slow or stop it's progress before it gets to the intersection. If your presence does spook the animal, it will most likely run away from you — and the danger.
• Bending over to “pet the nice doggie” is almost universally perceived as a threat by the dog. Squat or sit on the ground to make the dog feel less threatened. While this strategy makes you less of a threat, it increases the chance that you will be injured if the dog isn’t friendly. This is another good reason to call a professional animal rescue worker.
• Do not make direct eye contact. Dogs perceive staring as a challenge. Look at the dog from the corner of your eye.
• As the dog approaches, offer your hand under the dog's mouth and nose and allow the animal to make the first move. Touching a dog on top of the head, neck or shoulders may trigger a bite, or cause the animal to run away.
• Keep a pair of long, soft shoelaces and/or a soft nylon leash in your car for emergencies. You can use the shoe lace as a makeshift muzzle, and the leash to secure the dog if it is mobile. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to restrain an injured animal.
• A good tool for simultaneously controlling an injured critter while preserving your safety is a thick blanket. By covering the animal's head or body you can calm the animal while limiting its ability to hurt you.
• Secure the animal at your home, or other safe area. If you need assistance caring for or confining the animal, call the appropriate agency for handling stray animals in your area. Do not be surprised if they cannot offer you immediate help – they are usually swamped with calls.
• It is unfair to expect a veterinarian to perform free treatment for an injured animal. If you wish to be a humanitarian, you must be prepared to accept the financial responsibility. If you cannot pay for emergency care, there is a municipal agency or humane organization in your area that may be able to help you.
Gary Wilkes is an internationally acclaimed behaviorist, trainer, author, columnist and lecturer. With more than 25 years experience working with dogs, including eight years of shelter work, Wilkes offers insights into canine behavior based on vast experience and keen observation. Gary Wilkes is responsible for the innovation and development of clicker training as a practical methodology for dogs.
Visit his website, www.clickandtreat.com, for information and products.
Super ProGroom Seminars and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
(click here for Super ProGroom Winner Photos)
SuperZoo, for its second year in Las Vegas, featured exciting grooming contests with huge prize money and pet care educational seminars, managed by Barkleigh Productions, Inc.
“Super ProGroom was a huge success for the grooming industry,” stated Sally Liddick, organizer of the event. “Plus, it offered a needed venue for another grooming contest on the West Coast. With over $10,000.00 in prize money, the contests pulled top international competitors from the U.S., Canada and Mexico.”
Over 70 groomers competed in four classes: ANDIS World of Poodles Tournament, PETCO Mixed Breed Makeovers & Purebred Parade, WWPIA / GROOMER TO GROOMER Terrier & Sporting Breed Tournament, and RYAN’S PET SUPPLIES / WAHL Creative Styling Contest. These events were a big hit with the show audience of 300 to 500 spectators at each awards ceremony. The International Judges Association panel included John and Vivian Nash, Kathy Rose, Teri DiMarino, Jarbas Godoy, Judy Bremer-Taxman, Marea Tully and Judy Breton.
Contest winners included: Barbara Prueckel of Doggie Style, Inc., Calgary, Canada in the Andis Poodle and Petco Mutt Makeover & Purebred class; Sandra Hartness of Sandy Paws, Yucca Valley, CA in the Ryan’s Pet Supplies / Wahl Creative class; and Marnie Mathison, Pets Beautiful Grooming School, London, Ontario, Canada in the WWPIA / Groomer to Groomer Terrier and Sporting Breed class.
Industry icons were selected to speak at the two-day seminar. Teri DiMarino, Judy Bremer-Taxman, Jarbas Godoy and Kathy Rose offered topics titled to compliment the Las Vegas venue. Taping the Treasure in Your Salon, Cash in a Flash (Add on services), Become a Card Shark (make money carding and bathing), Retailing ABC’s, Golden Opportunities (Incentives for your Clients, Employees and Yourself), Success Secrets of a Grooming Guru and the Ultimate Grooming Salon, completed the two day schedule.
“SuperZoo was wonderful for petcare professionals,” said Liddick. “Petcare Pros are retailing in a big way now, so we not only provided grooming topics, but ones about retailing in the salon. Groomers are learning to capitalize on their unique and trusted role as petcare providers and are finding that boutique items, specialty, natural and holistic products all work well in the salon.”
Next year, a name change for the grooming events will match this big venue. “Super ProGroom will be known as SuperGroom,” says Liddick. “and it promises to become one of the biggest grooming shows in the United States, and will attract an even greater international following. In 2006, there will be three days of grooming contests and seminars for SuperGroom.”
For information about the 2006 SuperGroom, contact Barkleigh at (717) 691-3388 or www.barkleigh.com.
Grand Canyon Bike Ride for Charity
How would you like to join Don Kassebaum and other pet pros in a bike trek around the Grand Canyon? Gifts of Love International has organized a five-day, 283 miles trek, May 26 — June 3, 2006, through the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Stout Canyons, and Zion National Park.
The Grand Canyon is exquisite, stretching 277 miles long, ten miles wide and nearly one mile deep. See the colorful “Hoo-Doo” formations in Bryce Canyon and the windswept rocky terrain of Zion.
Registration fee is $400 and includes a furnished bike, food and lodging. A vehicle will pick up “pooped” riders as needed. The sponsorship target for the event is $4000 per person. Gifts of Love Intl. can help you achieve your sponsorship goal.
PetQuest Pulls Pet Pros in the Midwest
PetQuest Expo was held recently in Lansing, Michigan. This three-day seminar and trade show attracted over 600 attendees and 50 booths and featured veteran pet care speakers Teri DiMarino, Marlene Romani, Gary Wilkes, Greg Tilford and Dr. Edmund A. Sulkowski.
Seminar topics included the Brusher Bather Certificate program, Everyday Grooming, Animal Behavior Conference, grooming, dog training, natural pet programs, and Dancing with Dogs mini-workshops and demonstrations.
The International Professional Groomers, Inc. Certification Workshop prepared groomers for their IPG certification testing. Tips were offered during this four-hour event.
A bustling trade show was held with show specials and scissors demonstrations adding to the excitement.
The silent auction took place daily. Attendees lined up in anticipation as time drew near for the winners to be determined. Bargains were scooped up in a frenzy.
Andis Company provided great prize money and trophies for lucky groomers at the IJA Sanctioned grooming tournaments. Grooming judges were Marea Tully, Judy Kurpiel and Teri DiMarino. Top prizes went to the first place winners in Level 3.
Winner of Andis Terrier/Sporting Breed Tournament was Teresa Dreese of Paragon School of Pet Grooming in Grand Haven, Michigan. Lindsey Berry from Wag N’Splash in Longwood, Florida won Andis Mixed and Other Purebred Tournament. Donna Bouwkamp from Petropolis Pet Grooming Salon in Rockford, MI secured the Andis Poodle Tournament win.
With so many groomers commenting “Thank you for finally coming to our area”, how could we not return? Next year’s PetQuest will be held July 13 — 16, 2006 in Lansing, MI.
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
(PetQuest Winner Photos)
(BIC) Best in Class, (T) Technical (P) Profile, (D) Difficulty
Poodles
Level 2: BIC-Donna Bouwkamp
T-Donna Bouwkamp; D-Angela Boeske
Level 1: BIC-Kelly Hirsch: T-Kelly Hirsch;
P-Mary Tyson
Terrier/Sporting Breeds
Level 3 – 1st Place: Teresa Dreese
Level 2 – (BIC) Ingrid David, (T) Ingrid David,
(P) Joy Chapman, (D) Angela Boeske
Level 1 – (BIC) Marc VanderWal,
(T) Mary Munson, (P) Marc VanderWal,
(D) Mary Tyson
Mixed and Other Purebreds
Level 3 – 1st Place: Lindsey Berry,
3rd Place: Mary Tyson
Groom & Kennel Expo …
The Fur Flies In Burbank
Universal Studios. The Hollywood Sign. Rodeo Drive. What do these places have in common? They are near Groom & Kennel Expo, where pet care professionals will be on February 17 — 19, 2006. Groom & Kennel Expo 2006 is returning to the Hilton Burbank Airport in Burbank, CA for another year of fun, educational seminars, trade show and exciting events!
Returning is the Natural Pet and Off Lead Training Expos, Mobile Van Round-up, Animal Behavior Conference and Grooming Events. Exceptional educational programs begin Thursday and continue throughout the weekend with seminars running concurrently. Topics on grooming, boarding, training, animal behavior, mobile, business and pet day care and world-renowned speakers will be showcased.
The International Judges Association will host a popular, crowd pleasing international competition where groomers from novice to expert will compete for thousands of dollars in prize money.
Randy Lowe will offer the Scissor and Blade Clinic for the first time in Burbank. Randy, owner of Precision Sharp, will show you how to make your equipment last longer while learning how to properly maintain and use your shears and blades. He will be sure to offer some “sharpener secrets” during this event.
There will be a big emphasis on Mobile this year, which is so popular in California. Special programs are planned and Sunday will feature the Mobile Roundup. Enter your vehicle and get free BASIC admission to the educational programs on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday evening will feature a bus tour to see BARK… The Musical in Hollywood. This doggie play has been getting rave reviews in LA and Chicago.
“One of our biggest assets is our trade show,” says Liddick. “Last year over 70 pet care exhibitors came to Burbank, making it the largest professional pet care trade show west of the Mississippi.” Bring your checkbook and credit cards!
Where else can you learn so much and still enjoy a tax deductible mid-winter vacation?
Joanne’s Ah-Ha’s
By Joanne Russell
When I was at Groom and Kennel Expo, I was walking past Teri DiMarino doing a demo.
I heard her say, “If you hold a towel behind the leg when you are blow drying with a power dryer, you won’t be blowing water back on the dog.” Whoa! Ah ha! I use part of a moisture magnet wrapped around my hand to catch all that extra moisture when blow-drying head, ears and back. What a time saver. Thanks, Teri!
(click here for All American Grooming Show Winner Photos)
“Eight hundred North American Groomers, and a couple from ‘across the pond’, gathered in Rosemont, Illinois, recently, for the 33rd Annual All-American Grooming Show,” says Jerry Schinberg, show organizer.
Educational opportunities were varied and plentiful with forty-two seminars and demonstrations in both the Management and Stylist Series, many focusing on mobile grooming. Competition was keen among the forty-four contestants competing with eighty-seven dogs, and sixty-five vendors displayed products new and old to the delight of shoppers.
Among the All-American Show’s most anticipated awards, Best Groomed Dog went to Vero Da Sylva of the Pet Connection in Warren, Ohio, for her Miniature Poodle. Vero was also named Best All Around Groomer.
Having previously won both of these prizes at the last Atlanta Pet Fair and US Pet Pro Classic, Vero also took home the coveted Ultimate Pet Stylist award of $4500 and a gorgeous crystal trophy. She is the first pet styling competitor to receive this award. Jerry Schinberg, organizer of the All American Dog Grooming Show, Ann Stafford, organizer of the Atlanta Pet Fair, and Pam Lauritzen, organizer of the U.S. Pet Pro Classic, presented the Ultimate Pet Stylist award.
Next year’s show dates are August 11-13th, 2006, at the Wyndam O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois.
Julie Wilkins Crowned
World Champion at
Groom Expo 2005
GroomOlympics
Competition
Winners
Health and Liability
Insurance
Super ProGroom
Seminars
and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
Grand Canyon
Bike Ride for Charity
PetQuest Pulls
Pet Pros in
the Midwest
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
Groom & Kennel Expo
… The Fur Flies
In Burbank
Julie Wilkins Crowned
World Champion at
Groom Expo 2005
GroomOlympics
Competition
Winners
Health and Liability
Insurance
Super ProGroom
Seminars
and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
Grand Canyon
Bike Ride for Charity
PetQuest Pulls
Pet Pros in
the Midwest
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
Groom & Kennel Expo
… The Fur Flies
In Burbank
Julie Wilkins Crowned
World Champion at
Groom Expo 2005
GroomOlympics
Competition
Winners
Health and Liability
Insurance
Super ProGroom
Seminars
and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
Grand Canyon
Bike Ride for Charity
PetQuest Pulls
Pet Pros in
the Midwest
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
Groom & Kennel Expo
… The Fur Flies
In Burbank
Julie Wilkins Crowned
World Champion at
Groom Expo 2005
GroomOlympics
Competition
Winners
Health and Liability
Insurance
Super ProGroom
Seminars
and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
Grand Canyon
Bike Ride for Charity
PetQuest Pulls
Pet Pros in
the Midwest
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
Groom & Kennel Expo
… The Fur Flies
In Burbank
Julie Wilkins Crowned
World Champion at
Groom Expo 2005
GroomOlympics
Competition
Winners
Health and Liability
Insurance
Super ProGroom
Seminars
and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
Grand Canyon
Bike Ride for Charity
PetQuest Pulls
Pet Pros in
the Midwest
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
Groom & Kennel Expo
… The Fur Flies
In Burbank
Julie Wilkins Crowned
World Champion at
Groom Expo 2005
GroomOlympics
Competition
Winners
Health and Liability
Insurance
Super ProGroom
Seminars
and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
Grand Canyon
Bike Ride for Charity
PetQuest Pulls
Pet Pros in
the Midwest
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
Groom & Kennel Expo
… The Fur Flies
In Burbank
Julie Wilkins Crowned
World Champion at
Groom Expo 2005
GroomOlympics
Competition
Winners
Health and Liability
Insurance
Super ProGroom
Seminars
and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
Grand Canyon
Bike Ride for Charity
PetQuest Pulls
Pet Pros in
the Midwest
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
Groom & Kennel Expo
… The Fur Flies
In Burbank
Julie Wilkins Crowned
World Champion at
Groom Expo 2005
GroomOlympics
Competition
Winners
Health and Liability
Insurance
Super ProGroom
Seminars
and Contest
A Big Hit in Vegas
Grand Canyon
Bike Ride for Charity
PetQuest Pulls
Pet Pros in
the Midwest
PetQuest Grooming Competition Results
Groom & Kennel Expo
… The Fur Flies
In Burbank