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ABOUT KELLY 

Kelly is a very highly qualified and well respected multi award winning dog groomer. Having won accolades such as ‘YKC Groomer of the Year’ and ‘Salon Groomer of the Year’. Kelly has been called upon for multiple judging appointments across the country and has been nominated for two ‘Speaker of the Year’ awards. Kelly is also part of the Pet Collective Competition Team.

 

Her passion for dog grooming extends beyond the competition arena. Her appearance on BBC’s Spotlight and BBC’s Pooch Perfect as a contestant demonstrated her dedication to her art and incredible passion for her industry.

 

Kelly is an internationally trained dog groomer. Her passion and commitment to learning has taken her across the globe, spending time learning from world renowned teachers in Asia. Kelly holds level 4 and 5 qualifications, and has been recognised as an Opawz Creative Grooming Specialist. 

 

As a natural educator, Kelly takes great pride in sharing her knowledge with others, ensuring they too can excel in the world of dog grooming. Whether she’s instructing novice groomers or mentoring experienced professionals, her friendly, fun and approachable demeanour allows her to connect with individuals on a personal level. Fostering growth and confidence. 

 

At KJG Dog Grooming Academy we are passionate about the welfare of dogs. Therefore our courses have a strong focus on safe and correct handling and positive reinforcement, which will benefit you no end when it comes to grooming on your own. Kelly has travelled  the country delivering courses in Compassionate Handling and Behaviour in the Salon.

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 WHY CHOOSE KJG DOG GROOMING ACADEMY?

Small Class Sizes - The KJG Dog Grooming Academy is a small scale academy taking on just 4 students at one time. Because of this you can be assured you will get maximum one on one tutor time.

 

Expert Instruction - Our tutors bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the academy. They are extremely experienced with over 22 years in the industry and each holding qualifications in dog grooming, teaching and First Aid. 

 

Variety of Learning Techniques - We use a variety of teaching methods including theory work, one on one learning, group learning, educational game based learning, shadowing days, demonstrations and of course, hands on grooming with real dogs. During your course you will be given real dogs to work on and you will be grooming from start to finish. We will cover a wide variety of styles, techniques, breeds and coat types. We are more than happy to give extra help and guidance to students that may be struggling with the theory side of the qualifications.

 

Ongoing Support - We will always go the extra mile to help and support our students long after they have graduated. All of our students know we are always at the end of the phone if they need any advice. Our students are not just another number to us, we make life long connections.

 

Real Training Dogs - The training dogs at the academy are real customers so we are able to show you real life situations such as different customer requests, problems that may occur during grooming and a variety of different behaviours and health statuses. These experiences will prepare you for running your own business. 

 

Day to Day Running of a Business - As well as being an academy, we are also a working salon. You will see daily customer interactions, learn how to set prices, manage your diaries and how to follow a time schedule in your own salon. 

 

Flexible Learning Options - We understand everyones work and home life is different. That is why we do everything we can to accommodate our students requests. Our courses run Tuesday to Friday 9am - 3pm. You can chose to attend from one to four days per week. 

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THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

I started grooming at the age of 17 after my mum and I had a discussion about working together. Previously I had already completed a grooming course as part of an animal care course at a local college and I was working as a vet nurse assistant at Kingsteignton Vet Group. We decided to enrol on a dog grooming course and we loved every minute. 

My mum, Gill and I then started Fido Sassoon Canine Beauticians. We started grooming out of our garage but soon found we needed more room. We opened up the front of the garage into a shop front and business boomed even more. Having a business was a huge and steep learning curve. I had to learn quickly about customer relations, handling, advertising, and the key to success which I believe is always being involved in the community. In 2009, I competed in my first competition and was proud to take home the title of YKC Groomer of the Year.

In 2013, I decided I would like to move on and experience more of the grooming world. I accepted a job as grooming manager for Pets at Home. I learned a lot from this experience and attended lots of seminars with industry experts. However I felt that the large corporation world was not for me.

Whilst still owning my salon in Devon, I then accepted a job at my old training academy, where I learnt some invaluable skills and pushed myself to a higher level. I was a manager of the academy for nearly four years. In this time I started to undertake my higher diploma and my ICMG and competed and won at national competitions including two Best in Shows.

I am now a regular seminar speaker and have written many popular courses and workshops. In my time away from teaching I travel around the UK delivering private training in people’s salons and colleges.

This aspect my career grew quickly so I decided to take the plunge and open up the KJG Dog Grooming Academy in 2017. I am now back in Devon teaching students from the very place I started all those years ago.

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I have always been very driven and my career is no exception. I always strive to be the best that I can in everything that I do. I love to go the extra mile in encouraging my students to do the same.

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