If someone had told me in 1993 that my part-time job at a boarding kennel would eventually lead to founding a pet grooming school, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. Yet here I stand, decades on, contemplating a journey replete with unforeseen turns, obstacles, and instances of both disheartening setbacks and profound satisfaction. This is the story of how my love for animals and education became the foundation for the Whole Pet Grooming Academy—and what I’ve learned along the way.
The Early Days It all started when I took a job at a boarding kennel in Louisville, Kentucky, and then as a bather at a pet salon. I didn’t know much about grooming at the time, but I quickly learned—and found that I loved it. Grooming helped me pay my way through college, and while I enjoyed the work, something inside me said it wasn’t enough. Even then, I had this lingering thought: There must be a better way.
But life has a funny way of steering you in different directions. After college, I pursued a career in the horse racing industry, thinking I had found my true calling. That is, until a move to New Hampshire changed everything.
Returning to Grooming—and Seeing the Industry's Flaws When I moved to New Hampshire, I had to step away from horse racing. I fell back into grooming, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that the grooming industry wasn’t what it could be. I worked or interviewed at unkempt, mismanaged salons that showed little dedication to education and the ethical treatment of animals. It was disheartening, but it ignited a deep passion within me. I felt a profound calling to create something better—not just for myself, but for the industry and the animals we care for.
The Decision to Start the WPGA I always knew education was my passion, and pet grooming alone wasn’t going to be enough for me. I wanted to do more. That’s when the vision to open a career school started to take root. It wasn’t just about grooming—it was about raising the bar for the entire industry, ensuring that future groomers had access to real training and formal education.
The journey has been far from easy. It was filled with remarkable encounters, unexpected challenges, delightful surprises, and numerous hurdles to overcome. But I had incredible support. My parents stood by me through every buildout, transition, and challenge, working tirelessly and sharing my belief in this dream. My husband also played a crucial role, patiently supporting me through every bold risk and unexpected turn.
A Family and Community Effort When I founded WPGA, it wasn’t just my dream—it was the culmination of everyone who supported me. It was a leap into the unknown, but with my family and a growing community of groomers, educators and students, WPGA became something more than I could have ever imagined.
Lesson learned: it is not just about having a vision; it’s about surrounding yourself with people who believe in that vision as much as you do. Every educator and student who has come through WPGA has been a part of that journey, and I’m so grateful for their commitment to the craft. Read about them here.
The Prairie Dog: A Symbol of Community and Vision at WPGA
At WPGA, we believe that education and community go hand-in-hand, and that’s why we adopted the prairie dog as our official mascot. Prairie dogs are known for their strong, tight-knit communities, where communication is constant, and everyone has a role. It’s the perfect representation of what we aim to build at WPGA.
Our motto—“We are community-oriented builders and skilled fixers with a visionary outlook, always scanning the horizon, tough in spirit, and proficient communicators dedicated to fostering a strong network”—sums up our work culture. Every member of the WPGA community has their own prairie dog, symbolizing their individual passions and hobbies that we all enjoy sharing and discussing together.
The prairie dog isn’t just a mascot; it’s a symbol of how we collaborate, grow, and support one another. By sharing our stories through our prairie dogs, we strengthen the bonds that make WPGA more than just a school—it’s a family.
Why I Did This Ultimately, this entire journey comes down to one thing: education. My passion for learning and teaching inspired me to establish a space where aspiring groomers could access top-tier training. The WPGA was created to address a significant gap in the industry, offering a structured pathway for dedicated individuals to pursue their dreams with the highest standards of education.
Pet grooming is more than a job—it’s a craft. And with proper training and education, it’s a profession that can change lives, both for the groomers and the pets they care for.
A Journey of Passion and Support Looking back, I realize that WPGA is more than just a school—it’s the result of passion, hard work, and the unwavering support of the people I love. From the early days of figuring out how to run a salon, to building a full-fledged academy, this journey has been incredible. I hope that WPGA continues to inspire others to follow their own paths, wherever they may lead.