Recently, a business manager of a grooming school in Quebec stated loud and clear that groomers could not compare to other professional trades because of lack of education, insufficient hours of practice and teachers who have little experience. This person concluded that we could not expect to be paid accordingly.
This made me think a lot. Certainly, many groomers are currently trained by schools that offer only a few hours of practice (20, 40, 100 hours). These trainings are in fact introductions to grooming allowing the student to later continue his education with other establishments that offer further training.
My message is addressed to professional grooming entrepreneurs, mostly women, who work daily to bring their profession to the same level of professionalism as master hairdressers, stylists, massage therapists, tattoo artists, estheticians, etc.
There are professional groomers from reputable schools in Quebec. Many of them invest in their continuing education several times a year.
Among other things, the students who have completed their training at Art au Poil can be proud of their professionalism and know-how. Over the years, more than 60 students have become business owners, running their own grooming companies or are currently working as employees for those we have trained.
All of them spread the good news that it is possible to groom artistically and professionally, to make a living out of it and to do good to pets both physically and psychologically. The well-being of the animal is THEIR PRIORITY. The positive approach that Art au Poil has been teaching for the past few years is innovative, unique in America and Europe and sophisticated. Our students teach animals to be groomed by lowering their stress level with advanced and up-to-date behavioral techniques.
This does not prevent them from earning a living because the clients they take care of pay their services fairly according to their professionalism.
Our graduates work at a fair hourly rate. One of our students likes to say "The right price!". This way, they take "THE TIME IT TAKES" to make sure that pets are not only beautiful, but good in their minds throughout the grooming process.
Everything is an exchange of energy in life. Thus, we advise all customers to check the education background of their groomer as well as the aesthetic level as the behavioral level. The school that trained them and the values it conveys are already a good starting point. Customers must realize that looking for a groomer based on his price is not a guarantee of a quality work and not of an ethical work.
Unfortunately, customers do not see what is hidden behind the curtain of a grooming salon. Our students as well as our own company (Espace Canin Yandy and L'Art au Poil), for the sake of transparency, film the work in order to assure customers of a professional ethical service.
In addition to the Art au Poil's training program for stylists and groomers, which provides the foundations of zoocosmetics (ZAP certification), there is also a behavioral approach that has become an international trademark: the Art au Poil Behavioral Grooming (TCAP).
This is in addition to all the basic and advanced methodologies and techniques of the profession, shedding programs and animal therapeutics.
L'Art au Poil adds an "Entrepreneurship" component to its training given by one of our prolific entrepreneurs certified right here at the school. All of our students continue their continuing education by regularly adding multiple strings to their bow such as TCAP certification and advanced training with international trainers invited to the school.
The Art au Poil teachers invest effort, time and money in their own development. This year the Art au Poil spent a few days with Olga Zabelinskaya, an American champion, member of the Groom Team USA and international judge.
In addition, there is a training course for wild animal trainers in England (with Chirag Patel and Tim Sullivan), 3 advanced training courses with Bob Bailey in the USA to achieve precision in training and in the application of operant conditioning, and a one-week private training course in competition grooming in France with Karine Delpy.
Would you like to be part of the circle of graduates of the renowned International Art au Poil School?
We are looking for conscientious, energetic, passionate and enthusiastic people who voluntarily want to do good to animals both physically and psychologically and who want to be part of a group of conscientious, educated groomers with a professional approach.
Interviews for the new Art au Poil Grooming Artisan-Stylist session to be held in late October/early November 2015 are underway. Please make an appointment for the interview at info@artaupoil.com. It is important to have a phone interview in advance. Because given the applications, we are screening students for a meeting.
