www.totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk NOVEMBER 2020
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Contents
T
his issue focusses on scissors and how to achieve a great cut. There’s top tips and advice from the experts and recommendations on which products to use and why. If you’re thinking of entering the grooming world, we’ve lots of advice on how to get started with equipment must-haves. And, we have the latest on the government’s Covid support for businesses. Please feel free to get in touch with questions and any matters that are of concern to you. We will do our best to address these. Keep safe and well.
Editor www.totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk
12
Covid business support update
Contents 04 News and new products 06 News and new products 08 News and new products 10 News and new products 12 Covid business support update 16 Lakhi offers his top tips on scissors and cutting techniques
www.totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk NOVEMBER 2020
On the cover: Tangle Teezer www.tangleteezer.com
20 Mandy Carr of the Scissor Boutique explains why not all scissors are equal 26 Introduction to the Groomart Academy
Editor
Design and Production
Sue Corfield – editor@totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk
Grant Waters – grant@cimltd.co.uk James Taylor – james@cimltd.co.uk Lisa Humphrey - lisa@cimltd.co.uk T: 01795 509108
Commercial Director Mike Smith – mike@tgmpublishing.co.uk T: 01795 509110
Account Manager Becky Smith – becky@tgmpublishing.co.uk
Credit Facilities Manager Natalie Murray – creditcontrol@cimltd.co.uk T: 01795 509103
26
Introduction to the Groomart Academy
28 Blade maintenance with Paula Bryan 30 Heidi Anderton on business insurance and why it matters 34 Starting out as a groomer – Debby Knight looks at what is important 38 Start-up equipment priorities © 2020 TGM Publishing Limited, The Goods Shed, Jubilee Way, Whitstable Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 8GD. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be type written. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to TGM Publishing Limited. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.
Total Grooming Magazine | 3
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News and Product Round-up New Oil to Ease Clipping New Clipit Oil Launched Most of the dogs that come into the grooming salon have mats and tangles, and some look quite neglected because their owners cannot cope with the grooming commitments. These dogs may be hard work, but it is extremely satisfying to transform them. When a dog has a badly matted coat, it is advisable to apply the New Clipit Clipping Oil to the coat a few minutes before grooming and clipping, by either spraying or brushing into the coat. Clipping Coat Oil can be applied before clipping the thickest of coats. Spray or rub into the coat and then clip. This great product glides your clippers through thick dirty coats and feathers. It leaves no tram lines, but a smooth, even finish. Available in 500ml and 1 Litre Prices: 500ml ÂŁ20, 1 Litre ÂŁ34
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pecialist pet care service provider partners with leading insurance brand to provide an innovative, “Pay & Play” insurance facility for professional dog walkers and pet sitters Protectivity, a leading provider of pet business insurance has partnered with Tailster, one of the UK’s fastest growing dog walking and pet sitting services in the UK, to offer an insurance package to their 26,000 dog walkers and pet sitters.
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term cover. Whilst this may suit fulltime pet professionals, it can be a costly option for those who run on a part time or ad-hoc basis. Thanks to Tailster’s unique tech platform, it is possible to identify when care is taking place, and then insure just for that period. With this solution Tailster and Protectivity have given flexibility back to the pet professional, insuring its members by the hour, meaning they only pay whilst conducting their pet care service. Protectivity has already started providing insurance to Tailster clients and the service will be able to all Tailster pet care members. The service is to be used by Tailster’s dog walkers, pet boarders and pet sitters. Andy Brownsell, Commercial Director at Protectivity comments: “We’re keen to work with data driven partners and those that have a real understanding of their users.
The Tailster platform captures enough data to allow us to provide cover on an hourly or daily basis with complete confidence.” Brownsell went on to say “We’re interested in the hourly insurance model, it gives affinity partners flexibility and eases cashflow pressures but it also allows us to capture more accurate data on the risks we insure and to understand those markets in much more detail.” Indy Sangha Founder and CEO of Tailster.com said “Since our creation we have been leading through innovating in the pet care space, making it easier, quicker and more transparent for owners to find the perfect carer, and community of over 500,000 users is testimony to this - it’s great to be able to finally find an insurance partner equally innovative in co-creating a policy that works by the hour for our carers.”
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Age Amnesty Ensures All Pets Get Best Care Research shows that pets get us through the toughest of times Over 90% of owners say that their pet has helped them through stressful or traumatic times, according to a recent survey. From grief to mental health issues, and recently, dealing with the consequences of the pandemic, pets are providing their owners with essential emotional support. The research was carried out by Agria Pet Insurance as part of their ‘Age Amnesty’ campaign, which seeks to help more older pets benefit from insurance in their later years. The survey examines owners’ relationships with their pets – and how these develop over time. Looking specifically at owners with pets aged over ten, the research found that the vast majority, 94%, of their canine and feline friends had been ‘central to the life of their family’. When it comes to the situations that pets help us with the most, coping with grief was the most common: 1. Coping with grief 42% 2. Loneliness 23% 3. Mental health issues 18% 4. Children leaving home / Relationship break-up 11% each The majority of owners – over 97%, reported that the bond with their pet has grown either ‘stronger’ or ‘significantly’ over the years. Emily has had Ted, now 11, from a puppy: “I want to protect him. I want to spend as much time with him as possible. I want him to continue to have fun times and to be emotionally and physically comfortable. I want him to always feel safe and loved.” 13-year-old Willow has lived with her owner Helen since she was a kitten. Helen says, “I love her to pieces. She’s like a child to me.” Simon Wheeler, Managing Director of Agria Pet Insurance says, “Those of us with older pets totally understand the deepening bonds that develop 8 | www.christiesdirect.com
Emily and Ted now 11 years old
as the years roll on. Across a year punctuated by Coronavirus, we have looked extensively at the critical role pets play in our lives and have had some incredible stories and touching moments shared with us. “Ensuring that our older pets can be protected with lifetime insurance helps to also safeguard this very special bond between the owner and their pet, helping them to enjoy happier, healthier older years as their dependency deepens.” Owners with pets reaching a certain age without insurance already in place can struggle to find a policy to cover them, which can leave them unprotected against health issues which may crop up with increasing years. In its sixth year, Agria’s Age Amnesty removes the usual upper age limits for new lifetime policies taken out during
Helen with 13 year-old Willow
October and November, allowing cats, dogs and rabbits to be protected – whatever their age. Owners taking out a new dog or cat policy during Age Amnesty can also claim a £50 free healthcare voucher by quoting HS19. Find out more and get your quote at agriapet.co.uk/ageamnesty before 30th November 2020, or call the Agria team on 03330 30 83 68.
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Greetings from Alfie the Pug
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lfie - a therapy pet – is to be featured on his own greetings card in recognition of the outstanding positive impact he makes on people’s lives. Card company, Tache, has designed Alfie’s very own greetings card. Suzy Emsden, Alfie’s owner and a consultant at North West & North Wales Paediatric Transport Service, takes Alfie to visit children at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in her spare time. “We got Alfie when my daughter was very ill and he came to some appointments with us, we smuggled him into an appointment as a very tiny puppy and he was so well-behaved that they let him stay. When my daughter was better, seeing the difference Alfie had made to her, we wondered if could help other people and that’s how we got involved in Pets As Therapy. “Alfie passed his Pets As Therapy training when he was 18 months old, and from then on he has visited children in various hospitals and wards, from intensive care to physiotherapy. He even visited children who were hospitalised because of the Manchester Arena attack, and he is still in touch with some of them now. “Alfie is such a hard-working pup who’s made such a difference to so many children’s lives, and we are so proud of him – and were absolutely delighted when the team at Tache got in touch to say they wanted to make a special Alfie card in his honour. Frank and Pennie, the animal-loving founders of the handmade greeting card company, Tache, have always been big fans of Alfie, as Pennie explains: “Alfie and Suzy are incredible, the work they do is inspirational and seeing the difference Alfie makes to children’s lives is so special. We really wanted to show our appreciation and support by creating an ‘Alfie Card’ that would also help the children he cares about.” Suzy continues: “We’ve loved working with Tache’s designers on this
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PAT dog, Alfie is featured on a greetings card
special Alfie card and we love that 100% of the profits from Alfie’s card sales will be split 50/50 between Pets as Therapy and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.” Becky Griffiths, Corporate Fundraising Executive for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “The colourful, quirky designs sum up Alfie’s personality so well. He’s always a big hit on the wards and a bit of a celebrity whenever he is out and about in the hospital. Matthew Robinson, National Volunteer & Events Manager at Pets As Therapy, commented: “We were delighted when we found out that Alfie was having his own greetings card made, he’s such a wonderful
dog, and the work he and Suzy do is invaluable. Pets As Therapy work hard to improve the health and wellbeing in the community through the visits of people and dogs like Suzy and Alfie. We organise a visiting service in hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues all across the UK, and all donations go toward ensuring our service reaches as many people as possible.” The ‘Alfie Cards’ are available for £3.99 online via Tache.co.uk and Not on the High Street with 100% of profits from the sale will be equally split between Pets as Therapy and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.
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Sanitiser Safety First
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et health and wellbeing App, PetPanion, which says the third most common behavioural issue exhibited by the dogs profiled on its App is that of eating non-food items. As a result, the company is urging salons and owners to think carefully where they leave their hand sanitisers, as coronavirus restrictions increase. Lockdown 1 saw a boom in pet ownership, boosting the nation’s dog population which already stood at 9.9m. With dogs living in at least 26% of UK households, a quarter of homes need to be very careful what they do with any alcohol-based sanitisers, whether in handy pocket-sized bottles, or bigger counter-top dispensers or refill packs. The contents of these products are toxic to pets and could lead to veterinary treatment or worrying health complications, with alcohol having a variety of harmful impacts on a pet and being capable of lowering a pet’s body temperature to such an extent as to induce a coma. Knowing about the toxicity of sanitisers is just as important for human health, as recently highlighted by the US Food & Drink Administration (FDA), which has warned of the dangers of children ingesting sanitisers that carry food scents which confuse them into thinking they are edible items. The FDA is cracking down on sanitisers packaged to look like snacks, juices or bottles of water, highlighting that ingesting the contents of these packs can lead to cardiac issues and have adverse effects on the central nervous system. Ingestion can lead to hospitalisation and death, for both children and adults. Such alcohol-based sanitisers are no less dangerous for pets. Any scented product could also fool a dog into thinking the item is food, whilst a bottle can be something interesting to chew and gnaw on, particularly if a dog is bored and seeking a distraction.
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The danger here could be not just the contents of the bottle or pack but the plastic material or packaging in which the liquid or gel is contained too, which could get lodged in the gut, or block a pet’s airway. Whilst such situations will be a risk with any form of packaging a dog can access, there is a way to reduce those relating to the toxicity of the sanitiser. Not all sanitiser is alcohol-based and products such as those of DermOpt – a hand sanitiser specialist which was the official supplier of sanitiser to Crufts 2020 - contain no alcohol whatsoever, kill 99.99% of coronavirus germs and are formulated in a cruelty-free way. PetPanion’s veterinary specialist, Dr Peggy Middlemiss, says: “Not leaving these products in easyto-reach places, can reduce possible heartache and also relieve the pressure on vets’ surgeries, which may again face restrictions on opening and caring for pets, should we experience a second national lockdown of any duration.” The PetPanion App can help dog and cat owners keep tabs on their pet’s health and behaviour, through ongoing monitoring and observation that are the foundation of a Wellness Score, attributed to each pet profiled on the App. Owners can also keep a record of their pet’s daily or weekly exercise, have
instant access to information on nearby vets and book consultations with vets signed up to the App. Head to the App Store of Play Store to download the App for free and start keeping a watchful eye over your pet companion’s physical and mental health.
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Total Grooming Magazine | 13
Covid Update As the pandemic continues and the economy continues to be hit as a result, the Chancellor announces the following changes: Employers and employees A new Job Support Scheme will be introduced from 1 November. Under the scheme, which will run for six months, the government will contribute towards the wages of employees who are working fewer than normal hours due to decreased demand. Employers will continue to pay the wages of staff for the hours they work - but for the hours not worked, the government and the employer will each pay one third of their equivalent salary. Employees must be working at least 33% of their usual hours. The level of grant will be calculated based on employee’s usual salary, capped at £697.92 per month. The Job Support Scheme will be open to businesses across the UK even if they have not previously used the furlough scheme. As an example, if an employee works 33% of their hours, their employer pays for all of that. The employer then tops up another 22% of wages and the government puts in 22%. The cost to the employer of someone working a third of normal time is therefore 55% of normal pay; the employee gets 77% of normal pay. Businesses can benefit from the Job Retention Bonus of £1,000 for staff still employed at the end of January 2021as well as the new Job Support Scheme.
Self employed The Government is extending the Self Employment Income Support Scheme Grant (SEISS). An initial taxable grant will be provided to those who are currently eligible for SEISS and are continuing to actively trade but face reduced demand due to coronavirus. The initial lump sum will cover three 14 | Total Grooming Magazine
months’ worth of profits for the period from November to the end of January next year. This is worth 20% of average monthly profits, up to a total of £1,875. An additional second grant (details yet to be decided) will be available for self-employed individuals to cover the period from February 2021 to the end of April.
VAT rates The government will extend the temporary 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors to the end of March next year.
VAT deferral A ‘New Payment Scheme’ will give businesses the option to pay back the VAT previously deferred in smaller instalments. Rather than paying a lump sum in full at the end March next year, they will be able to make 11 smaller interest-free payments during the 202122 financial year.
Self assessment deferral Self-assessment taxpayers will be able to benefit from an additional 12-month
extension from HMRC on the “Time to Pay” self-service facility, meaning payments deferred from July 2020, and those due in January 2021, will now not need to be paid until January 2022.
Bounce Back Loans Businesses with Bounce Back Loan will be able to extend the length of the loan from six years to ten. Interestonly periods of up to six months and payment holidays will also be available to businesses. These measures will further protect jobs by helping businesses recover from the pandemic. The closing date for Bounce Back Loan applications is to be 30 November 2020.
CBILS loans Lenders will have the ability to extend the length of loans from a maximum of six years to ten years if it will help businesses to repay the loan. The closing date for applications under the scheme has been extended to 30 November 2020. Please bear in mind that the details are constantly changing, so please check with HMRC and/or your accountant.
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Total Grooming Magazine | 15
Shear Magic Lakhi has been grooming for nearly 30 years and has a salon and training school: Posh Pets Academy, Bournville, Birmingham. He is an international certified Master Groomer. He shows and competes and holds demos around the country. In this issue Lakhi looks at the important role of scissors in a groomers’ arsenal:
T
he quintessential grooming tool, an extension of your hand and creativity - scissors. Scissors have improved so much over the years with mainly German style available and Japanese steel only recently becoming popular in the past few decades. There are so many styles and finishes available that it can be a minefield choosing the right pair for the job. My personal thoughts are that before purchasing you should go out to try and feel them in your hands , there’s so much to think of - size, weight and material. Groomers tend to be dazzled by sparkly shiny scissors in vivid colours but that doesn’t necessarily make them the best for your hands. Remember you’re opening and closing them thousands of times a day so they must be comfortable , sharpness too. If the metal is too soft then they’ll wear out quicker thus putting more pressure on your hands and tendons to cut hair , this can result in all sorts of conditions including carpel tunnel syndrome. I’m left handed and years ago used right handed scissors as there wasn’t much available for us lefties . I found hand fatigue and tendon pain a constant companion . Ten years ago I swapped to lefties and never looked back !
Finding the right scissor for your hand When choosing a pair always get a feel - they should be balanced, not too heavy at the tip and your fingers and thumb should fit comfortably without slipping 16 | Total Grooming Magazine
High end Japanese steel chunker, blender and finishing straight
in too much . You can purchase finger inserts to help the fit. Then it’s size, smaller scissors are best for detail work such as feet and around eyes and the longer styles give you a better finish on legs and larger areas that need hand finishing, you don’t want to use 5” scissors on a standard Poodle leg as you’ll be there forever and the tendency to snip away at small amounts will result in a choppy appearance. Larger areas are scissored similar to cutting fabric, one line at a time then continuing from that line , moving onto next section in a methodical fashion so
you achieve a nice even layer. The two main types of handle style are off set short shank and long shank with finger and thumb holes next to each other. So the latter usually have the same length from the tension screw to tip and handle, they’re usually beginner scissors and hard wearing. They’re good for bulking off lots of hair as the axel is further away from you hand giving you more strength. The draw back is that you have to open your hand wider to use the whole length of blade which can cause thumb fatigue. The shorter shank offset are those
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that have a thumb hole further down from the finger hole and gave a shorter gap between tension screw and handle, allowing for more blade. These tend to be higher end finishing or general salon scissors. The advantages of these styles is that you don’t need to open them as wide to use the whole scissor blade and you can use your thumb muscle more efficiently. They’re more comfortable and ergonomically designed to sit in your hand naturally. There is a tendency to bounce the blade on and off the dog with long shank yet it’s lessened with an offset short shank handle.
Types off scissor There’s various types of scissor available in all lengths for every job.
Curved flipper scissor
Flipper blenders
Straights Straight scissors come in all sizes, smaller for detail work and longer for full scissor work. Also they have different edges, serrated, micro serrated and fine finish. Serrated tend to be for bulk work and are usually found on German Roseline style of scissors and grip the hair as you cut. Micro serrated tend to be higher end of the scissor range and are designed for everyday scissoring , effortlessly gripping hair as you cut. Fine finish are those top quality scissors that you use for “dusting” or to leave that flawless finish , you only take the ends off with these scissors and aren’t really designed for heavy work.
Curves Curves are great for heads and feet , there’s so many available , left pointing, right pointing or flippers (used either way) the degree of curve is a personal choice, the more extreme curves that are shorter for Asian styles and smaller dogs plus feet and the longer less extreme for larger dogs and heads. They make easy work of shaping your style.
Blender/thinner Thvere’s various types of these scissor available , blenders are just that, to 18 | Total Grooming Magazine
blend clipped areas into scissored areas. They’re usually for fine finishing work and must be used with the lay of the coat or you’ll end up with lines. They’re great for all over scissoring on fine silky coats to prevent any choppiness and to correct any clipper marks. I love them for finishing faces after bulking off with straights. You can also get them in curves which help head shaping but use for finishing only as they are delicate. Thinners are just that, to thin out hair so always purchase for the correct job. They’re used to thin out areas such as tails, manes and underline. They are also great for thinning out small matts but be sure to use the heavier duty German steel types. Thinners come in two types, one sided and double sided, I prefer the double sided as they leave no marks on the coat but are hard to get hold of. One sided are great too but like with blenders do not cut across the coat as it’ll leave lines unless you’re trimming an edge like underline or the tail.
Chunkers/texturiser We come on to the newest kid on the block. These scissors are a life saver with wavy or finer woolly coats such as Bichon and Poodle pups.
I find they’re also great for heads, they leave a natural soft finish and great for those fidgety dogs as they save you taking big chunks out if you’d use straight scissors. To use them correctly you have to scissor again and again over the one area or it will.look choppy , hence they’re more for finishing work after you’ve gone over with a comb attachment. The higher end the scissor the better the finish. They don’t have a great shelf life if you use them all over the dog and cut deep into the coat. Remember they’re for finishing work to take away ends or for those finer wavy coats. Another thing to remember is do not use them on drop/silk coats or you’ll be forever trying to tidy them up ...that’s what blenders are for . Remember to store your scissors in a careful manner and have them regularly sharpened to extend their and your hands working life, Last and more importantly is to always oil your scissors, every day. Special scissor oil is readily available and will help them last longer and leave a better finish. Snippety snip everyone !
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Scissors – The Basics Mandy Carr of The Scissor Boutique explains why not all scissors equal:
S
o, you think a scissor is just a scissor? Well, not all scissors are equal! I say this as a longterm scissor obsessed specialist, who owns a scissor for everything that can be cut! I will never pretend your groom is all about the scissor you use, as it is not. If you do not have skill or you cannot prepare the coat properly it does not matter what scissor you use, your groom with never make the cut. However, I can introduce you to something magical and prove that the right scissor for the job can make a good groomer a great groomer. We are all unique, and in my ‘World of scissors’ I celebrate this. What works well for one may not work well for another. This is why I choose not to use demonstrations to promote any scissor. I see some of the most amazing and talented people with great skill and they are happy to demonstrate a scissor to prove its worth, what a way to boost sales Yah! But this is the easiest way to mislead the up and coming enthusiastic person. It is also the easiest way to damage the long-term sales of a product, however fast you initially take people’s money, as it is the latest new thing or must have! They see the results and buy the magic but that is not the way it works. In reality it is more like the Magician with the right wand. Here are some basic useful tips to embracing scissors for your needs, so you have true scissor-satisfaction and less redundant in the draw. Blade lengths – Never buy longer than you need. If you are using a scissor you should be using all of the blade most of the time. Anything else is a waste and will result in the scissor failing you in so many ways. Using a long blade and tipping around feet seems to have become a trend in recent years, I am going to say ‘Pack it in’ and slap your wrists right now! This practise will burr the tips of your
20 | Total Grooming Magazine
scissors, they are not meant to do this. Choose to buy yourself a low cost, durable bevel edged scissor with micro serration for feet and whiskers. Stop using your convex edged finishers for this job. The Germans make the most amazing Scissors for these small but demanding tasks. These traditional Scissors will stay sharp for a long time and save you a small fortune. Blade width – The width of the blade will generally denote the strength of the scissor, so will the thickness. Wide, heavier style blades will be perfect for blocking out thickness and density. Couple this with a bevel edge and micro serration you have a real power house of a scissor. Long, slim blades that are light in weight are generally going to be great for finishing and dusting. However, it depends upon the material and construction of the blade and the way the edge has been configured. But in short if you have a light weight scissor with a convex edge made from Japanese steel do not chop through a 22 | Total Grooming Magazine
rough cocker spaniel as its not made for that sort of abuse. Choose your tools wisely for the job you are doing. Cost? - I’m not saying that price does not matter, as it does. However, buying scissors for purpose instead of prices makes much more sense. It is so much more rewarding and costs you less in the end. When I talk to clients about scissors spec is something that never seems to have crossed their minds. As there is far too much scissor spec or scissor expertise to go into this short article, you are advised to talk to your scissor specialist. Tell them your expectations for the product and let them guide you through the facts. It’s their job, they understand the products and they understand people that use them. Take note as these are the people who have to stand by the products if they fail you. Many feel buying scissors is an addictive and very expensive exercise and it is a case of pot luck. Many choose to listen to another groomer
or a friend that knows! This approach generally leads to a drawer full of scissors they never use. We call this approach ‘scissor envy’ and as much as I love to sell scissors it’s not the way I work. I will agree it is a minefield if you do not consider the spec of the scissor, along with the use and throw in the complexity of the user’s abilities, the size and health of the hands and the way they use them. This a massive amount to consider and this is why choosing scissors is not taught at Grooming School. This is a specialised field and in the same way people go to a professional groomer you need to go to be advised by an experienced scissor specialist. Buy for purpose and learn what each model can do for you, and use them for that purpose in a disciplined way then they will last you. Choosing for the wrong reasons will never please. Looks really do not matter, they are not ornaments, they are precision work tools and should always be thought of as so. As much as a diamante
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adjustable pivot screw might make you smile, a pretty coloured scissor matches your logo these will not help you to cut hair and earn a living. Forget the bling! Do not be fooled as these aesthetically pleasing details will soon look dull and even drop off. Let’s talk shanks! - Most feel they want a short shank as it’s easier for them to work. Well is it? If you have small hands, yes short is easy and comfortable. If you have large hands you feel cramped up and you struggle. Some of the longer shanked scissors are designed for power to get through thickness and density. Stop dismissing a longer shank just because someone said short shanks are the way to go, they are not for everyone and that’s OK. The shape of the shank matters, but not the way you are thinking. We are seeing more and more products that have been overdesigned to entice you to buy. So, heads up - Those beautiful ornate shanks with bling on and creatures wrapped around the shanks, oh and let’s not forget those overly shaped ones. The ones that make you think before you wrap your fingers around them. You may like the design, but your sharpener won’t. So why is that? When your scissors are sharpened the sharpener will have to at times bend the shanks to get the tips to align. Some of these shapes just become more of a challenge than most can cope with, hence the life span of that Scissor is shortened. Those that just have to have colour and bling think again! Now we have to contend with Covid and the ‘new normal’ you may want to rethink this one. I know hair stylists and barbers are bigtime. Most of the recommended anti-bacterial, anti-viral serious stuff the authorities recommend you clean with are damaging your scissors. Draining the colour out of them. Removing the coatings on them and even bringing up rust and tarnishing in places you never thought it could happen. Let alone what it is doing to the edges. We cannot really play a blame game here. I am going to say this – “We are in unprecedented times; these are not surgical instruments. Scissors 24 | Total Grooming Magazine
were not made to go through this deep cleaning process so if they go dull or the coating falls off you really do not have a leg to stand on. Think before you use something and what you are doing, make the right choices here. Know your edges. When you purchase a scissor you need to understand what edge is on it. Why, you scream do I need to know this? Surely my sharpener should know what to do? sharpeners however cannot know the spec of each and every scissor, however experienced they are. If it is not sharpened to the same spec, it will not behave the same. You will notice the hair slipping or pushing or the scissor feeling coarser or numerous other things. It is your job to know what edge you need and to choose the sharpener to do this for you. If you do not know and you do not communicate with your sharpener, you cannot really complain. It’s a bit like when a show poodle comes into
the salon, the client sees a show poodle picture somewhere and associates it with the groomer. The poodle is handed over for a groom. The groomer styles the poodle just the way the other 30 on her books are done. Nice clean, neat and tidy groom that all other clients love. But this client goes completely nuts when they come back and blames you. Like groomers, sharpeners do not all work the same. They do not all have the same experience or the same expensive collection of machinery. You cannot expect a sharpener to know all the edges and what scissor they go on or understand your needs. If you do not communicate and treat a Sharpener with respect you will never find one you like. Scissors are very special tools and they are the tools of a professional and an artist. They are my passion and I am always happy to talk scissors anytime.
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Grooming Matters Getting into Grooming with the GroomArts Academy Business Hub
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or relative newcomers to working in the dog grooming sector, the current environment is almost certainly a great deal removed from what they might have envisioned when they studied for their qualifications. So much uncertainty both inside and outside the industry makes planning for the future immensely difficult as whilst groomers will always be in demand, this is hardly a time when people are being open handed with their money. In order to support groomers with getting their feet off of the ground and those who are already more established, the team at the GroomArts Academy are in the process of revamping their dog grooming business advice hub. What was once a bit of an afterthought given over to the occasionally interesting blog post or observation on current events is poised to be an essential ‘go-to’ resource for those looking for industry specific advice in these trying times. To start with, the hub is looking at aspects of operating a dog grooming business which would be of key importance in any climate. One article entitled ‘Growing your business and employing staff ’ vocalises some of the thoughts that groomers may have - what specifically do they want their employees to do?, what sort of personalities do they want on the team?, etc. A second piece covers the ‘SWOT analysis of a dog grooming business’, identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that come with trying to break into the grooming business. The last thing anyone wants is to commit to such a huge personal undertaking only to fall at an early obstacle so it’s good to have to hand an overview of what can be expected before making such a commitment. 26 | Total Grooming Magazine
As previously mentioned though the growth of this business hub is still very much an ongoing project. In the short to medium term at least the focus of its respective articles is likely to be responding to the Covid pandemic as it continues to disrupt things from their normal course of action. This will aim to be as responsive as possible to announcements from stakeholders within the dog grooming world, such as the Government, industry associations, suppliers, distributors, and so on. Effective communication in such difficult times is crucial for the industry to continue to flourish and for best practice to be upheld - a rising tide lifts all
ships after all! Beyond a Covid hit world (hopefully as soon as possible) here at GroomArts we realise that people’s questions about being the best dog groomer they can be will be ever changing as future events take their course. That’s why we are keen to get a dialogue going as soon as possible with the readers of Total Grooming Magazine and other likeminded communities about what future topics you’d like for us to cover and for those of you reading this online, please leave a comment letting us know what you think are the big issues facing dog groomers at the moment and what you think they could be moving forward.
Clipit Paula Bryan of Clipit gives advice on caring for clipper blades:
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lipper blades are made of hardened steel so that they may be ground to a sharp edge. This makes them brittle over time, and if dropped on a hard surface, a tooth may break off. This leaves a ridge of unclipped hair behind if the broken blade is used. Dog hair can be very coarse, and if your blades are not looked after properly, they will blunt very quickly. Leaving hair and dirt on the cutting edges will soon decay and corrode the blade, so it is essential after every use that your clipper blades are cleaned with a blade wash, oiled, and stored in a dry environment.
How a clipper blade cuts There are two surfaces that make up the cutting edge, the front, and the back rail. These two rails are the points that are hollow ground to produce a new sharp edge. As the blade is used these edges start to wear and will eventually “round” off, and it is at this point when your blade causes you snagging and dragging within the coat, your blade will need re-sharpening. If you leave a build-up of hair in between the two rails, this can cause a further “rounding” off the cutting rails. So, it is essential that every 5 minutes, you stop clipping and brush of any excess hair from your clipper blade. There is a spring that holds the top cutter and sole plate together. The function of the spring is to apply adequate tension to allow the clipper blade to cut smoothly. If that springs is too tight, the top cutter will not move from side to side easily. To test your clipper blades: with the clipper blade in your hand, try to move the top cutter from side to side. If you are finding the top cutter does not move adequately, then the tension could be too tight and will require adjustment. 28 | Total Grooming Magazine
This is achieved by placing a flat head screwdriver into the side of the spring and gently levering up to release the tension. Spray your clipper blade with oil, and check and test again. If the tension is too tight, or too loose this will result in a non-cutting blade. Most clipper blades can be resharpened, but eventually they reach a point where they will not take a sharp edge and further resharpening is impossible. Any dull blades should be resharpened as a set; replacing only one blade or swopping a top cutter from one blade to another set will not work. If you are finding the clipper blade is
snagging and tugging at the coat, it is time for it to be re-sharpened. A rule of thumb, if you are cleaning and oiling your blades daily, then a dog blade will last between 10 -12 weeks based on clipping 5 dogs per day. Do your blades rattle? As clippers are now faster than ever, the clipper lever that drives the clipper blade gradually stretches the locating ears on the clipper blade. The locating ears are the two pieces of metal that stand up from the spring and latch. To resolve the rattling, take a pair of plyers and gently squeeze in the locating ears. Caring for your blades will increase the longevity of the clippers.
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Make sure your business insurance is up-to-date
Get the Right Protection
Heidi Anderton LCGI of Absolutely Animals - a training school and a City and Guilds approved Centre – highlights the need for salons to maintain adequate insurance protection:
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on’t let the current pandemic deflect your mind from keeping yourself and your business protected. And, although you may be looking to cut down on some overheads, insurance shouldn’t be one of them. It is vital in today’s litigious society to cover yourself in your business as sometimes things do go wrong, mostly when we are least expecting it and from the unlikeliest of sources.
30 | Total Grooming Magazine
There are key areas of the business where it is essential to have in place the correct protection for yourself and your business, whether you are a sole trader working from home or in a van, managing a salon or a training school. When things do go wrong you will probably require some support or a little advice on the best way forward. It is essential to have these things in place before anything happens.
Prevention Of course prevention is better than cure, so make sure your insurance, health and safety policies, risk assessments and records are up to date and enforced. Also, make sure you are aware of the current Animal Welfare Legislations like the Veterinary Surgeons Act and the Animal Welfare Act including the five animal needs and how these can be fulfilled in the grooming salon. For more
information, you should visit GOV. UK, Defra websites If you run a business from home, check your home insurance policy covers you or you could be in trouble. Jonathan Cracknell, household underwriter at insurer Aviva, says: ‘Running a business from home is the kind of information that insurers would consider a “material fact” and could alter the risk at which they offered home insurance in the first place.’
Insurance Professional Insurance In today’s ‘blame and claim’ culture it is vital that your pet grooming business has the correct liability insurance to cover you in case you accidentally injure or lose an animal whilst it is in your care. It is imperative that if you start offering new services – such as colouring or micro chipping etc or take on new staff that you inform your insurance company.
Property insurance First and foremost, no matter whether your business is home based or based in a rented or commercial building, taking out a policy to cover you for property insurance is exceedingly important, especially if your business carries expensive items or if you use the premises to house certain levels of stock. Property insurance is there to cover you for everything from fire damage to damage caused to stormy weather.
Employers & public liability This is a compulsory piece of cover, Public liability insurance refers to insurance that will cover you and your business for any inconvenience you may cause a customer, such as through damage or loss of goods and damage to their property while work is being carried out. Employer’s liability insurance protects the people who work for you, ensuring you are able to pay damages if an employee becomes injured while carrying out their work.
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CCTV There are many benefits of using a CCTV security system. Some are obvious, others less so. The most common benefits that get reported are: Increased deterrent – CCTV systems are a great deterrent to potential thieves. Once they realise that your home or business is protected by a closed circuit television system they invariably choose to go somewhere else. Safer working environment – CCTV helps to ensure Heidi and Pandora adherence to health and safety policies and can be invaluable in staff training. Reduced retail theft – shop lifters deliberately target businesses with poor security and will think twice if there is an increased risk they may be caught on camera. Increased detection – the prosecution rates for businesses / home owners using CCTV is many times higher than that for those without CCTV. If you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of crime at least there will be a strong chance of detection and conviction. Eliminate fraudulent insurance claims – in an increasingly litigious society is has never been more important to protect your business against claims that are not legitimate. CCTV can eliminate this and reduce your premiums. Remote monitoring – keep an eye on your home or business when you’re not there. CCTV systems can be viewed and controlled remotely over the internet (via an iPhone, laptop etc). In addition to this, they can provide an independent 24/7 monitoring service. Reduced fear of crime – knowing you are well protected gives a feeling of security that should not be underestimated (ask anyone who has
been burgled or fraudulent claims made against them and how they felt after it occurred). Increased professionalism – CCTV is an excellent staff training tool. Staff protection – CCTV is perfect for preventing assaults and false claims of any sort.
Federation of small business Uniquely, the federation of small business offers support directly in specific areas and hosts a wealth of prevention methods and advice. Joining the FSB gives unlimited access to their ‘rights of membership’ at no extra cost. These are listed below: • Tax Investigation Protection Insurance • Legal Protection Scheme • Employment Law Advice • Health & Safety Law Advice • Online Legal Documents • Health Care Advice • Financial Health Check Please check out the Federation of small business website for more information.
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Expert Advice for Start-ups
In the current climate of uncertainty, taking control of your own destiny by taking up a new career in, for example grooming, may be the fresh start you have dreamt about.
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ebby Knight has been a groomer for over 40 years. She owns and runs The Bristles Dog Grooming and Training Salon in Shropshire. She shares her advice for new start-ups: My advice to those thinking of setting up their own business is to consider the following:1. A successful business is built on selfbelief, not talent – believe in yourself and your ability. 2. Charge what you are worth – charge your customers more if their dogs’ coats are neglected. 3. Preparation of the dog is the key to a great finish – so make sure your dog is thoroughly cleaned and dried. 4. Remember you never get a second chance at a first impression – from the first step your customer makes on to your property, it must look clean and tidy. If you have a shop, keep the paintwork clean and bright with no chipped or faded paint. Sweep the pavement in front of the shop every day, provide a sand filled pot for cigarette butts and a small pot for “poo” bags and clean up daily. If you have a mobile salon and operate from a van, keep it washed and clean inside and out (including the cab) and well maintained. 5. Smell – keep your grooming room clean and fresh, use a plugin air freshener by the door, burn a candle if you want to be more environmentally friendly. There 34 | Total Grooming Magazine
Preparation of the dog is the key to a great finish
is nothing worse than a smelly grooming salon, don’t keep a dirty mop and bucket or full poo bags in the salon and clean up any accidents promptly and thoroughly. 6. Make sure you look professional – make sure you wear a clean and tidy uniform, chipped nail polish is very unprofessional as are dirty shoes. Look professional and you will be professional. 7. Attend training days and seminars – the grooming industry is evolving all the time, styles and techniques change so it is important to keep up with the changes to remain current and viable.
Choosing a training school For a new student, a positive experience is vital. You need to enjoy your training
and have confidence in your teacher/ trainer. You need to make sure that the teacher is up to date with relevant grooming techniques, health and safety legislation and offers a comfortable clean environment to work in. Do your research on the training establishment, go and visit the salon. Book a taster day and see if this really is the career for you. You will be spending at least eight hours on your feet and if you’re not used to it, it will be very tiring.
Business start up The cost of setting up your business will depend on whether you work from home, a shop, a mobile van or go out and groom in someone’s home. Your own circumstances and budget may
affect which you choose. I have done all of the above with the exception of the mobile van and I think the most cost effective and most profitable way is by working from home. I recommend that you buy the best product e.g. table, dryer you can afford, it is a false economy to short change yourself on essential equipment. If you allocate £1,500 for equipment you should be able to buy good quality products. The cost of your training will depend on whether you do a qualification or not, the number of days training and where you go to train. I would expect you to pay anything from £2,000 to £3,000 though. Remember that grooming is hands- on so a £500 online course will only give you the theory of grooming it will not teach you the practical aspects which is 95% of grooming. If you are considering a shop, add up all the monthly running costs and divide it by the number of days you will be working - so if your overheads are £1,000 per month and you work 20 days that’s £50 a working day, if you groom four dogs a day averaging £30 per dog = £120 - £50 = £70 per day profit or £1400 per month income, but don’t forget incidentals like car parking and petrol to get to work.
when a customer calls. Use social media such as facebook. I don’t think you can run a successful business these days without an online presence. Flyers through letter boxes are a very cheap, efficient way of advertising. Put 3- 4,000 out, flood your area. One-off advertising in newspapers is expensive and not cost-effective.
have spoken to all day. AND…Always confirm your appointments the day before either by text or a phone call. This will save you time and money.
Equipment must-haves:
1. Grooming table either hydraulic or electric – a static table can cause back problems. 2. Good dryer and blaster, a cheap blaster may not have enough power and means it could take double the time to dry those heavy coated breeds 3. Sharp blades are a must and double- up on those you use the most. 4. Good brushes – I found regular slicker brushes make my wrists ache where as Les Pooches don’t. 5. Good water pressure for washing and rinsing the dogs. Hydrobaths or power showers are excellent if you have low water pressure. 6. Don’t spend too much on your first pairs of scissors £40 - £60 should be sufficient …and try them before you buy, scissors are a very personal choice. 6. Shampoo a 10 – 1 dilution rate costing £17 /litre is not a great deal if you can get one that is 50 -1 dilution rate for £27 a litre. More importantly buy a good quality shampoo. 7. Good clippers that will be Attracting customers Imagine the owner is watching everything that you do - so don’t say or do powerful enough to get anything that you wouldn’t want the owners to know about. You can be the best groomer the blades through matted in the world but unless your coats. potential customers know about you Answer your phone 24/7 when you The best advice I was ever and where you are, you won’t have any first start-up and always call your given? business so you need to sell yourself. customers back as soon as possible. If Imagine every dog you groom is fitted Firstly, set up a web site, keep it you don’t get back to them another with a web cam and audio equipment simple, write a bio about yourself and groomer will and may steal your and is transmitting pictures and sound where you trained, especially if you business. back to its ever watchful owner – don’t gained a qualification and keep updating When you book dogs in, ask lots say or do anything that you wouldn’t it. of questions about the dog, build a want the owners to know about. I don’t recommend putting a price rapport, always make that customer feel list on the web site you can discuss that they are the most important person you 36 | Total Grooming Magazine
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f you are new to dog grooming it can be easy to fall into the trap of trying to spend as little as possible, particularly if you need to purchase a lot of equipment at one time, but having the right tools will not only give better results but will also save you money and time. Investing in reliable, quality brands at the beginning will help you grow your business in the early years. Items from quality brands are manufactured to a higher standard
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and have higher quality parts. If they are serviced and maintained regularly, they will ensure that you do not suffer loss of business due to poor equipment. It is, however, worth considering your cost per use. Certain items in your salon will be used more frequently than others so consider this when researching your purchases and allocating your budget. Alongside your budget it is important to consider your skill level and what coat types you will see in your salon.
Your choice of whether you decide to go mobile or have a salon, will also have an impact on the products you choose. Ideally you should have a bath, height adjustable table and either a dryer / blaster combination or a separate dryer and blaster. A combination dryer blaster is a great purchase for new groomers as it keeps the expense down and offers you the best of both worlds. At Christies Direct we offer a 12 month Collect & Return warranty on all dryers and blasters.
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Investing in the right clipper will not only cut your grooming time but a reliable and well-maintained clipper will also not need replaced as frequently. We offer both electric corded clippers, and cordless clippers which are ideal for mobile groomers or those who want more freedom of movement while grooming. While comfort and ease of use are important when choosing scissors, the key component will be the blades. Good quality stainless steel scissors will provide a solution to most grooming needs. They are by far the most popular scissor and won’t need sharpened so frequently and will have a longer lifespan. Different levels of scissors will suit different stages in your grooming career or different situations. For 40 | Total Grooming Magazine
example - Level 1 Scissors are great for start-up groomers and students while Level 2 Scissors are a great workhorse scissor for everyday professional grooming and a great next step as you gain experience. If you shop smarter for your salon, you will shop less and you will ensure that your equipment and products work with you to cut groom times, give a better finish and you’ll avoid struggling through a groom because of poor battery life, or quick dulling scissors. At Christies Direct we supply salon equipment and products to groomers worldwide so you can rest assured that the grooming supplies you are purchasing are the best tools in the industry. To help those starting out we have handpicked the essential products you will need for your salon. You will
find this start up kit in our catalogue at a great package deal price. We also stock a wide range of shampoos from natural, soap free shampoos and show shampoos to specific shampoos for different coat types, and everyday deep cleaners. These in turn are complemented by our top selling colognes, coat care products, grooming tools, and grooming clothing. To help our customers we have partnered with Klarna so you can Groom Now and Pay Later with No Interest and No Fees which ensures you can have all the tools you need to make your new business a success! Call our team to get advice and guidance on products for your new salon. T: 028 2766 6879 or visit www. christiesdirect.com
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Allergic Skin Disease in Dogs and Cats Veterinary surgeon, Claire McArdle, MRCVS, explains some of the background to allergies in dogs and cats:
A
llergies are a very common cause of skin disease in dogs and cats. In fact I believe there may be as many as 80 per cent of dogs and cats with allergies but in many cases they may not have been diagnosed. As a result, the symptoms in some cases may have been noticed and treated but not the cause. As groomers, you may well spot some of the signs that the pet owner has overlooked. Pets can develop allergies to: • Flea saliva via flea bites (very common in cats) • Food proteins (for example chicken, beef, pork, lamb, fish, egg, milk, wheat) • Environmental factors (house dust mite, grass, tree or weed pollens) Allergies may well show themselves in a number of different ways, some more obvious than others: the pet is often itchy and will show signs such as scratching, licking feet, shaking the head, hair loss, redness of the skin and rashes, and ear problems. The latter is often missed as a possible symptom of an allergy. Commonly skin infections with bacteria and yeasts arise as a result of damage to the skin surface as the pet licks and scratches itself. Allergies are a source of considerable discomfort for pets so need to be investigated and treated. Other disease can cause similar signs, for example parasites (fleas, mites and lice), infections (bacteria and yeasts), hormonal abnormalities auto-immune disease and, less commonly, tumours.
42 | Total Grooming Magazine
Groomers are well placed to spot signs of allergies
Ear infections can be signs of an allergic reaction
These diseases must be ruled out before we can be sure that a pet has an allergy. The vet may want to carry out some investigations to determine the cause of a pet’s skin disease, these include: • Samples from the surface of the skin to look for parasites, bacteria and yeasts
• Blood samples • Skin biopsy If the conclusion is that a pet’s skin disease is due to an allergy then specific tests can be performed to try to identify what the pet is allergic to. This may involve:
Tests can identify the nature of a pet’s allergy
• An elimination food trial for eight weeks (a special diet will be recommended and the pet must not eat any other type of food during the trial). This is known as trialling a novel protein source. • An allergy skin test under sedation where environmental factors are injected into the top layers of the skin. If your pet is allergic to any of these factors then a skin reaction (“wheal”) will develop within a few minutes • An allergy blood test Once we know what the pet is allergic to there are several options to try to manage the allergy. Unfortunately allergies in pets are not curable so often allergies need to be managed for the life time of the pet. The aim is to reduce the pet’s itchiness or other symptoms so that there is less damage to the skin and they suffer from less discomfort. It may be able to reduce the pet’s exposure to whatever it is allergic to: • Flea allergy: regular flea control • Food allergy: eliminate that ingredient from their diet • Pollen allergy: wash your dog after exercising outside during the pollen season 44 | Total Grooming Magazine
• House dust mite allergy: vacuum frequently and wash bedding at a high temperature, keep pets out of bedrooms and off soft furnishings. Household sprays may also help to reduce the level of house dust mite There are also treatments that aim to reduce the level of itchiness that a pet experiences, often these need to be administered for the lifetime of the pet: • Immunotherapy “allergy vaccine” this is made specifically for the pet depending on what it is allergic to, it lowers the sensitivity of their skin. It can be monthly injections or a twice daily drops in their mouth. It can take several months to have a beneficial effect but rarely causes any side-effects • Drugs to alleviate itchiness. These may be a tablet, capsule or liquid. They have different active agents (such as ciclosporine, oclacitinib, antihistamines, corticosteroids) Each drug has its own unique benefits and potential side effects that will need to be discussed with your vet to find out which treatment may be most suitable for your pet • Dogs can be treated with a monoclonal antibody injection which stops
them feeling itchy • Food supplements (essential fatty acids, PEA-UM) also help to “calm down” the skin • Antibiotics or anti-fungal drugs may be needed if the pet has a skin infection There are also many topical treatments that can be applied directly on to the skin to help lessen the itch and soothe the skin as well as tackle any infections present on the skin surface. These may be shampoos, wipes, gels, lotions, mousses or foams. Pets can suffer from allergies from an early age and the disease is likely continue throughout their life and although a cure is not currently available for pets, there are plenty of treatment and management options that are available to help alleviate a pets symptoms. It is important to consult with a veterinary practitioner in the first instance. Remember that recurring ear infections, although less obvious than skin disorders, can also be a sign of an allergic reaction.
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Canine Partners
In this issue, we find out more about the valuable work of charity, Canine Partners. Canine Partners is a charity dedicated to providing amazing assistance dogs to help transform the lives of people with physical disabilities.
Natalie and Faye
T
he dogs allow their human partners to enjoy a greater independence and quality of life, and the charity strives to keep growing so that they can help more people across the UK. Anne Conway, assistance dogs enthusiast and dog welfare campaigner, and Liz Ormerod, a well-known vet and animal assisted therapy expert, founded Canine Partners in 1990. Now, 28 years later, Canine Partners is a national charity helping people living with physical disabilities all over the UK. With currently over 400 active partnerships and a target of creating 80 new ones in 2018, Canine Partners has created a total of 780 partnerships since being founded. The amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering security, companionship and practical help with everyday household tasks. These life-changing dogs also provide psychological and social benefits including increased independence,
46 | Total Grooming Magazine
May taking card from ATM
confidence, social interaction and selfesteem. Each canine partner undertakes a specialist two-year training programme where each stage is fun and rewardbased. Training begins from selection at seven to eight weeks of age. Puppies spend 12 to 14 months in puppy training with a volunteer puppy parent, followed by four months of advanced training at one of the charity’s two centres, near Midhurst in West Sussex or around Osgathorpe in Leicestershire. Canine partners are carefully matched to the applicants’ needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. A canine partner assists with everyday tasks which are difficult, painful or impossible for individuals with a disability to do themselves. The amazing dogs are taught a range of everyday tasks including picking up and fetching items, opening doors and dressing a person. They can even help to load and unload a washing machine and they can fetch help in an emergency.
Each unique partnership costs £20,000 from selection as a puppy right through to the dog’s retirement, which is approximately £4.56 a day across 12 years. The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from the public, businesses, charitable trusts and legacies to continue their lifetransforming work. Canine partner, Faye, has transformed the life of 29-year-old Natalie Preston, who has cerebral palsy. At the age of six months, Natalie’s parents noticed she wasn’t developing as she should have been. Natalie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where the doctors told her parents she would never walk, talk or sit up. After years of therapy and hard work, Natalie defied the doctors and before she was three-years-old she was walking and talking. “When I was small my parents were doing six hours of therapy with me six days a week with support from
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“Since meeting Faye, the world around me has become brighter every day” other family members, friends and students at Southport College, which helped train my brain how to sit, walk, talk and crawl,” says Natalie. “I went through mainstream school and despite being told I would never achieve anything in the way of GCSEs, I did and I have since continued my studies.” Natalie has since graduated from the University of Lancashire with a degree in animation in 2013 and then achieved a master’s degree in children’s media production at Salford University. “I heard about Canine Parents after my pet dog died. I wanted to start being more independent and not have to rely on other people all the time,” says Natalie. “I had undergone major spinal surgery to straighten my back which has affected my mobility.” Natalie is unable to bend, take her shoes and socks off or pick things up off the floor. After applying for a canine partner, 48 | Total Grooming Magazine
Natalie was excited to get the call a year later to say she had a match. “I instantly fell in love with Faye and from day one I felt we had a special connection,” says Natalie. “Since meeting Faye, the world around me has become brighter every day.” Faye helps Natalie to get ready in the morning, including taking her phones and keys to her without being asked, gets the washing out of the machine, gets the post and picks things up from the floor. She also helps Natalie to take her shoes and socks off, flush the toilet, put things in the bin and get money out of the cash machine. “During my master’s degree, Faye gave me the confidence to travel alone on the train to university each day and gave my parents piece of mind that I was being taken care of,” says Natalie. “Before having Faye I was very shy and self-conscious. I would worry what other people thought of me but now
Faye has completely changed that.” Natalie has since become confident enough to move out of her parent’s home, as she knows she won’t be alone with Faye by her side. “I love Faye so much; she has completely turned my life around. She’s given me my life back and she’s given me something to look forward to,” says Natalie. “I could not possibly imagine being without Faye. She has simply changed my life.” Natalie now works as a researcher for the BBC after aspiring to work in the TV industry. “All I can say is thank you Canine Partners for giving me my life back. Faye helps me and I love caring for her – together we are a real team!” Follow what Canine Partners are up to on Instagram at @caninepartnersuk where there are plenty of photographs of puppies, partnerships and events. To find out more about Canine Partners please visit caninepartners.org.uk
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Going Mobile…
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As the chassis ages, the Palace can be removed and placed onto a brand new chassis - resulting in a much cheaper cost than having to buy a whole new van and conversion with next to no downtime If the chassis is involved in an accident or breaks down you can simply remove the body, place it on the ground and work from your driveway whilst you wait for it to be repaired. The lining will not out live the vehicle like so often seen with used van conversions. You then have to sell the van & conversion and then buy a new van and conversion and wait whilst it is converted. Whereas with the Palace, you can keep the pod forever and change the chassis as you need to. Once you choose to retire from mobile grooming you can remove the Palace, sell the chassis and work from the Palace in your garden instead of having to buy a parlour or convert a room in your house. When you choose to move home, you can take the pod with you and this portability combined with the size means they will not normally require planning permission in your garden. You never need to buy a Brand new chassis that can depreciate - simply buy used a chassis and then swap them out as they get too old. Smaller than its LWB Van equivalent but provides a more workable space inside that is highly customisable as there are no van strutts or vehicle constraints Can be driven on a normal car driving license Say goodbye to having to buy a whole new van and conversion every few years - simply move your Palace from one chassis to another with zero down time and when the time comes and you no longer want to be mobile, simply
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Trailers
Made from our Revolutionary insulated panel, our VCA Approved Grooming trailers provide the perfect solution if you would like to work from home and be mobile without the running costs associated with a van - with no tax or MOT required with trailers! You can leave the trailer on your drive way or hitch up with your vehicle when ever you need to. And when you have finished being mobile you can permanently demount the trailer from the axels and use it as a Garden Pod!
Vans
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