During her 34 years in the grooming industry, Anjie spent as much of it learning about every aspect of not only grooming but about business. She knew she had to share the knowledge she had gained and began teaching grooming, and business so others could learn the secrets of her success. This has also led her to teach Pet Tech First Aid & CPR classes for pet professionals and pet owners alike. Her passion for continuing education shows through in her achieving CMRG  (Certified Master Rabbit Groomer) as well as CCE, ACG, and PGC. This brand ambassador for All For Groomers is currently publishing the first rabbit grooming book in the industry.

Grooming and training became a passion in 1986 when I started my first summer internship at a boarding kennel as part of my school’s Animal Science program. I watched grooming during my lunch breaks and stayed after work to watch the training classes. I graduated from Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute’s Animal Science program in 1989 with experience with a wide variety of pets and farm animals. I was able to jump into the grooming industry through an apprenticeship in 1992. I have also worked as a veterinarian technician gaining many years of skills that have been a tremendous help in both dog training and grooming.  

I was one of the first house-call groomers and trainers and opened Happy Critters in 2000.  I love grooming small, as I like to call them “my little behavior cases,” and thrive when working them through fears, stress, and anxiety.  In October 2018, I started my podcast Creating Great Grooming Dogs. It’s about where grooming and dog training meet.  My show allowed me to get noticed as an educator and opened doors to speaking for Barkleigh at grooming expos.  I love teaching and look at dog training as logic puzzles, and grooming is the art.  As much as I love teaching, I love learning and geeking out with other dog professionals.  The more knowledge I possess, the more I can give back to those I educate. One of my current hobbies is a strong passion for Flyball with my current Border Collies Brok and Po.  Flyball started for me with Isa in 2005, and over the years have been awarded numerous titles. We also dabble in Rally Obedience.

Lisa Herbold has worked with animals for over 30 years.  Her experience began in 1985, in a small animal hospital as a receptionist and technician assistant.   Her duties soon expanded to include technician duties and dog grooming. While pet sitting for a client, she developed a business plan for a pet sitting service. The service, the first of its kind in the area, expanded to include 4 counties and employed over a dozen people.

Mary has worked with thousands of students and has beamed with pride as she watched as professional pet educators reach and change the lives of their students.

Mary was awarded the 2012 David Salzberg Outstanding Contribution To The Pet Industry. Mary was first nominated for a Barkleigh Honors Award in 2012 and has been every year since.

Before founding Pawsitive Educational Training, Mary has spoken and continues to speak at numerous professional pet educational conferences since 2006, as well as been published in Groomer To Groomer and Natural Awakenings magazines as columnists.

Mary got her start in the pet industry in 1998, when she answered a help wanted sign at a corporate grooming facility and in 2002 operated Pawsitively Pretty Mobile Grooming Salon until she retired in 2019.

Mary’s first student was a mobile grooming client who was coerced into taking her pet first aid class. Once the class ended, her client hugged her and thanked her. From there it was no stopping her.

Michelle Knowles, MPAI, ICMG, owner of All Things Paw, has over 30 years of experience as a private and professional pet care provider. Michelle is a Certified Master Groomer and a Master Pet Aesthetician. She has apprenticed, volunteered, worked, owned and managed in salons, kennels, zoos, and veterinary hospitals across the country. Michelle has also been trained in Tuscany, Italy in therapeutic work, hand stripping and advanced dermatological care. Michelle wrote the foundation of the ISB esthetician program and has  extensive experience with fear and trauma recovery, elderly pets, and a focus on managing allergic/dermatological disorders. Michelle is certified through NDGAA, IPG, The Whole Pet Academy, and teaches advanced aesthetics at the Whole Pet Grooming Academy and is a nationally recognized speaker in her field.

My name is River Lee and I’m on a crusade to help fellow pet professionals! My broad and niche pet industry background lend a unique perspective to help busy pet professionals live a life they love. I am the founder of the Savvy Groomer, a business where I teach groomers about personal finances and business growth on their terms.

Social / Website links:

www.savvygroomer.com

www.youtube.com/savvygroomer

www.facebook.com/growwealthygrooming

www.instagram.com/thesavvygroomer

Stephenie is an Autistic and ADHD self taught groomer of 10 years and the Owner and head instructor of The Meditative Groomer Academy which specialized in neurodivergent groomers. You also may recognise her as one of the two faces of “Grooming on the Spectrum” a support group and podcast about being or knowing a neurodivergent pet groomer. She is the former Training manager of Calling All Paws, a certified Nash Academy instructor, and Illinois State Grooming Team Captain.. Stephenie lives with her husband John in Waukegan with her cockapoo, Nibbler, Irish wolfhound mix, Addison, 3 cats, Chiana, Fry, and Banner, and 3 turtles. Stephenie is obviously passionate about animals and teaching but also enjoys her hobbies of gardening, painting, and foraging.