How I became a Feline Master Groomer

I have always loved animals; I like to touch their faces, see the expressions in their eyes and just be a part of their lives. My family never really understood why I became so excited when I would experience animals, large or small, cats or dogs, but they meant unconditional love to me. What more could a child ask?

I began a career with Delta Airlines as a Flight Attendant some 20 years ago and after thought provoking, soul searching I asked myself, “What else would you like to do?” Then I saw an advertisement in the paper for pet grooming school, and I thought, “That’s it! I will groom cats!” Having been a cat lover all my life, I decided I’d go to school. At that time, no other student wanted to groom cats. Every cat that was brought into Merryfield’s School for Pet Grooming, including cats that were brought in for boarding, with their owner’s permission, I’d groom their cat. I promoted my service and opportunity for me to learn and maximized every occasion possible to groom cats.

After completing my training at Merryfield’s, I launched my pet grooming business, and after a few years of on the job enhancement of my education with experience, I heard about the National Cat Groomers Institute of America in Greenville, S.C. Danelle German is the President of National Cat Groomers Institute of America and she is the “cat expert”! Danelle owns the Catty Shack in Greenville (Cat Only Salon) and she is internationally known for having woven cat fur into purses. She has been on Animal Planet a number of times. I knew that I had to be taught by the best cat groomer, so I made the decision to fly to South Carolina to be trained by this nationally renowned cat grooming institute.

What an experience! It was enriched with so much information, more than I imagined; you are not there to waste time, nor does everyone pass the course. You are there to learn and to become the very best you can be. We learned about all 41 breeds of cats, as recognized by the Cat Fancy Association of America. We studied all breeds, their temperaments, dispositions and how to identify certain skin disorders while working with our client’s cats.

From a health perspective, we also learned how to check a cat’s blood pressure, perform CPR and to properly clean our equipment; we learned what is toxic to cats so we could be informed and be a knowledgeable, well trained support to the pet owners we’d serve. We studied diseases, particularly those that can be troubling to cats or put them in an at risk situation; things like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), urinary & bowel diseases, and Hyperthyroidism. We also learned about some of the pernicious viruses like the Feline Leukemia virus (FeLv), Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV)Aids, Feline Infectious peritonitis (FIP), FECV, Paneukopenia, and Rhinotracheitis.

On completion of my training, I earned the designation of Master Feline Groomer from the prestigious National Cat Groomers Institute of America. I don’t diagnose or treat a cat for any of the mentioned diseases, but as a value to my clients, can often recognize symptoms and suggest an owner take their cat to a Veterinarian. My grooming skills are tailored for the specific cat, its breed and the owner’s needs. I hold myself to the highest standards with regard to my in-home cat grooming business and the integrity with which I operate. I work with some of the best in my profession and have references available at your request.

Finally, which may be of interest to you, I send what is called in the industry “dirty cat fur” to a lab where allergy shots are made for people with allergies to cats; this disposable waste product is used for good and hopefully some day will better manage the symptoms of those who suffer with cat allergies.

I hope you will consider my story and allow me to become a part of your network of pet professionals and I look forward to that opportunity.

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