Beyond the Haircut

The Value Is In the Experience

A beautiful haircut matters—but how your dog experiences that haircut matters even more.

My approach to grooming has been shaped by years of hands-on experience and continuing education in canine behavior, Fear Free handling, skin and coat health, ear health, and other areas that directly affect a dog's comfort during grooming.

I believe professional grooming requires more than technical skill with clippers and scissors. It requires understanding the dog in front of you—recognizing what they're communicating, knowing when to adjust the process, and making thoughtful decisions that protect both their physical and emotional well-being.

Grooming is a process, not just a finished product.

What This Means for Your Dog

My continuing education helps me be a more observant, informed and thoughtful groomer.

It helps me recognize when a dog is struggling rather than simply being "difficult." It guides my decisions about handling, when to take a break, and when a procedure should be modified or stopped. It also expands my understanding of the skin, coat and ears I work with every day—and helps me recognize when something I notice is better addressed by your veterinarian.

My goal isn't to see how much I can get a dog to tolerate.

My goal is to create a grooming experience in which your dog feels as safe, comfortable and respected as possible.

An Education-Driven Approach

I began my professional grooming education with Animal Behavior College, graduating with honors in 2019 as an ABC Certified Professional Groomer.

That education was only the beginning.

I became a Fear Free Certified Groomer in September 2019 and have continued to pursue education that expands my knowledge beyond the haircut itself. Maintaining my Fear Free certification also requires ongoing continuing education.

Behavior & Handling

Fear Free Certified Groomer

Certified since September 2019

Fear Free principles influence nearly every part of my grooming process—from recognizing signs of fear, anxiety and stress to adjusting handling and expectations based on the individual dog.

The Whole Pet Grooming Academy — January 2025

Basic Handling Skills

Behavior and How It Relates to Grooming

These courses further developed my understanding of how behavior affects the grooming process and how handling choices can influence a dog's experience.

Skin, Coat & Ear Health

Because groomers work so closely with a dog's skin, coat, feet and ears, I believe understanding what I'm seeing—and knowing when something falls outside the scope of grooming—is an important part of responsible care.

Pet Skin Academy — April 2025

Hair and Skin: The Basics

The Allergic Dog | Dr. Meagan Painter — January 2026

Ear Infection Essentials

The Allergic Dog | Dr. Meagan Painter — Currently Enrolled

Beyond Expression: A Modern Guide to Anal Gland Health

This education supports my belief that a procedure shouldn't be performed simply because it has traditionally been part of grooming. I want to understand its purpose, its potential impact on the dog, and when a concern is more appropriately addressed by a veterinarian.

Professional Grooming Education

Animal Behavior College — August 2019

ABC Certified Professional Groomer

Graduated with Honors

Barkleigh Productions — January 2021

Brusher/Bather Course

More Than a Haircut

When you choose My Mobile Groomer, you aren't simply paying for the finished haircut.

You're choosing the years of experience and continuing education behind the decisions I make—the handling techniques I use, the things I notice, the procedures I may modify or decline, the time I allow, and the way I respond when your dog tells me they need something different.

The haircut is what you see.

The experience your dog receives is where the real value lies.