Local dog groomers Robin Kelley (Island Pride) and Jayne Marsh (Flying Fur!) spent the weekend of June 22 - 24 brushing up on their skills in seminars and workshops, alongside other enthusiastic and talented groomers from across Western Canada and the Northwestern US, at the Vancouver Island Grooming Event in Victoria.
Seminars ran all weekend long, and included sessions on healthy scissoring techniques, grooming to camouflage a dog’s physical flaws, and workshops on grooming Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Old English Sheep Dogs.
Representatives of International Professional Groomers (IPG) were in attendance at the workshop. IPG is responsible for setting international industry standards, and offers an intensive examination process to allow professional pet groomers to demonstrate and certify their grooming expertise. There are other certificates from a variety of sources; however, the highest certification in the grooming industry today is the IPG International Certified Master Groomer (ICMG) title.
Kelley and Marsh are members of IPG, which requires members to abide by the IPG Code of Ethics, and to maintain their membership in IPG to advertise their certified status. Both groomers are pursuing their IPG certification to enhance their existing skills and provide an additional depth of knowledge to their grooming. For more information about IPG, go to www.ipgicmg.com.
Internationally recognised Canadian groomers Barb Prueckel and Jackie Boulton were also in attendance at the event, inspiring and challenging other groomers in the five grooming competitions. Competitions, each with three levels of expertise, included the following categories: Terriers (Schnauzers, Westies, Cairn, etc.); Sporting dogs (Portugese Water Dog, Cocker Spaniels, Setters, etc.); Potpourri (Bichons and other); Poodles (Toy, Miniature and Standard); as well as a Creative Competition, which had to be seen to be believed!
Vendors pulled out all the stops to display the latest in equipment, tools, bathing systems, and grooming products – even ‘bling’ for dogs! Puppy toe-nail polish, hair accessories and cute doggie outfits were available for every breed.
Kelley and Marsh had a wonderful time learning, laughing, and sharing with peers in their professional field! For a glimpse into our weekend at the Vancouver Island Grooming Event, including the outrageous Creative Grooming Competition, check out this short Youtube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJC2jFQdpBY.
