Working To Improve The Overall Health And Well Being Of Our Beloved Pets One Stylists At A Time! D
ara’s Paw Spaw in Peter-borough, New Hampshire has been transformed into the first holistic pet grooming academy in the US. The Whole Pet Grooming Academy is recognized by the state of NH as a secondary career school. Dara Forleo and Katie Heikkila collectively, have more than 40 years grooming and business experience. With a focus on the latest techniques and products, theirs is a labor of love and commitment as they are continually seeking proven grooming industry techniques. The curriculum offered at the academy will ensure that students understand the compassionate approach to pet grooming and care. Students will learn to take the “whole” pet into consideration, including health and nutrition, as well as hairstyles and grooming needs. Students will learn to create a stress free, restraint free, and cage free grooming shop as an alternative to the assembly line grooming which is the common practice of the industry. Rounding out the training is learning the importance of communication with the pet parents about any health or behavior concerns, as well as instrucFuture students Timmy & Morgan working on a Standard Poodle Guernsey. tion on working with other industry professionals and working with their local community as business owners. The academy offers 7 pet professional diploma programs including the first state recognized diploma for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. 10 individual certificate courses and 22 workshops focusing on continuing education for other professional groomers. The professional diploma programs offered range from 27 to 236 credit hours include canine grooming, feline grooming, groomer assistant, and the pet sitter and dog walker. The programs include all start-up equipment needed to begin a career as a pet stylist.
Certificate Courses:
Diploma Programs:
Feline Stylist Assistant Canine Stylist Feline Stylist Novice Stylist Canine Stylist Assistant Professional Pet Sitter and Dog Walker Intermediate Canine Stylist Professional Pet Stylist Assistant Advanced Canine Stylist Professional Feline Stylist Business and Facility Management Professional Canine Stylist Pet Sitting and Dog Walker Professional Pet Stylist Basic First Aid Pet First Aid and CPR Nutrition Part of the student training will include presenting a current event within the grooming industry, product review, blog article, or demonstrate a new technique or trick learned from exploring on-line groomer resources. Students will be asked to attend a Chamber of Commerce event, meet other local business owners and veterinarians, attend a dog show and/or trade show if in their training period. During the terms students could be asked to help with planning a community event to help educate pet owners, create an educational pamphlet, write a simple business plan of running their day, and start a business plan for their own business.
6 4 Legs & a Tail
For more information contact Dara Forleo and Katie Heikkila at 603-732-7796 or visit their website at www.PawSpawNH.com Spring 2015
