SmartStyling

Licensing & Regulation For the Grooming Industry

PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMERS & STYLISTS ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES SHARED SAFETY AND SANITATION STANDARDS FOR PET GROOMING   National pet styling groups and allies come together to develop nationwide standards of care   LAS VEGAS, NV – Good pet grooming begins with good training and a relationship based on trust. During today’s morning session of the World Pet Association’s Groomer Supershow, the members of the Professional Pet Groomers & Stylists Alliance (PPGSA) announced the results of a year-long initiative to review and establish a set of best practices regarding safety and sanitation that will serve as a foundational building block for industry grooming standards.   Doug Poindexter, president of the World Pet Association, and representatives from International Pet Groomers, Inc., the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists and the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc. took the stage, flanked by additional association members. They described a protocol that includes standards for animal housing and handling, equipment, and facilities with a focus on safe operations and attentive animal care.   “This is a groundbreaking achievement,” said Poindexter. “We applaud all the groups that are working together to develop these important health and safety standards.”   Linda Easton, president of IPG, said, “We believe that providing groomers with education and industry standards about the safe and humane handling of pets can give them the mindset, tools and desire to provide exceptional service to all pets in their care.”   “The integration of a ‘Basic Standard of Pet Care’ into industry guidelines and policies will provide an indelible assurance of the well-being of the pets entrusted to professional pet groomers and stylists,” added ISCC executive director Pam Lauritzen. “It can become a mutually beneficial cornerstone of care.”   Jeffrey Reynolds, executive director of the NDGAA, added “We are proud and excited to be part of this coalition of pet grooming professionals who have come together to share our experience to create these basic standards of pet care. We are passionate about ensuring the safety of all pets while in the care of pet grooming professionals.”   Final language will be released at an upcoming national grooming exposition. Alliance members are committed to incorporating these standards into their own training and/or certification programs, ensuring that groomers and stylists are taught to the same standards irrespective of which program they pursue.   About the Professional Pet Groomers & Stylists Alliance The PPGSA was created to harness the experience and expertise of the three major national pet styling associations – IPG, ISCC and NDGA – to develop industry-wide best practices for pet grooming. In addition to these groups, members of the Alliance include trade groups such as the World Pet Association, the California Professional Pet Groomers Association, the New Jersey Pet Groomers Association and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, major retail partners such as Petco and PetSmart and pet care industry service providers such as the American Kennel Club, America’s Pet Registry, Inc. and Barkleigh. Alliance members meet regularly to review standards to ensure that they reflect current industry best practices. For more information, contact Mike Bober at (202) 309-3980 or [email protected].
 

Monitoring HV Dryer Temperature

Just a friendly reminder for those groomers who are aware of the growing amount of burns and related injuries and pet deaths involving heated kennel dryers.

It should not be overlooked that we need to also be careful with how we are using our high velocity dryers with pets as well. Aside from needing to be careful around bodily orifices as well as the eyes and ears and mouth of a pet we also need to pay attention to how hot the air is upon the surface of the skin while you are drying. It is important to remember that if your heated air hurts against your skin, it definitely is hurting the pet. Be sure to sweep over the pet thoroughly and never leave the flow of air up close to the skin for very long.  

I am not saying anything against any certain company in particular but I happen to have a ChallengeAir dryer that I ran this test on, and this is the temperature recording for the airflow after only five minutes. Very commonly we are using our dryers on a pet for over 15 minutes by the time they are completely dry. That means the temperature reading here after that length of time, could be even higher. Some dryers get even hotter than this.

Please note that Dr. Mueller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology medical book states clearly that early-stage burning can happen at as little as 110°F. Use your high velocity dryers wisely!

 

As well, always remember to monitor the ambient air temperature of your drying room. In addition to very warm air, having a high amount of humidity in the air creates a breathing and overheating risk quite quickly. Anything above 80F calls for a break to allow the pet and air within the room to cool. Keep your eyes on the pet for panting, wanting to lay down, or drooling as some of the first signs that nausea and imbalance can be present, which are part of the early stages of heat stroke.

Always offer a warm pet a drink of tepid water (not cold).

Grooming Industry Licensing & Regulations Update!

PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMERS & STYLISTS ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES SHARED SAFETY AND SANITATION STANDARDS FOR PET GROOMING National pet styling groups and allies come together to develop nationwide standards of care LAS VEGAS, NV – Good pet grooming begins with good training and a relationship based on trust. During today’s morning session of the World Pet Association’s Groomer Supershow, the members of the Professional Pet Groomers & Stylists Alliance (PPGSA) announced the results of a year-long initiative to review and establish a set of best practices regarding safety and sanitation that will serve as a foundational building block for industry grooming standards. Doug Poindexter, president of the World Pet Association, and representatives from International Pet Groomers, Inc., the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists and the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc. took the stage, flanked by additional association members. They described a protocol that includes standards for animal housing and handling, equipment, and facilities with a focus on safe operations and attentive animal care. “This is a groundbreaking achievement,” said Poindexter. “We applaud all the groups that are working together to develop these important health and safety standards.” Linda Easton, president of IPG, said, “We believe that providing groomers with education and industry standards about the safe and humane handling of pets can give them the mindset, tools and desire to provide exceptional service to all pets in their care.” “The integration of a ‘Basic Standard of Pet Care’ into industry guidelines and policies will provide an indelible assurance of the well-being of the pets entrusted to professional pet groomers and stylists,” added ISCC executive director Pam Lauritzen. “It can become a mutually beneficial cornerstone of care.” Jeffrey Reynolds, executive director of the NDGAA, added “We are proud and excited to be part of this coalition of pet grooming professionals who have come together to share our experience to create these basic standards of pet care. We are passionate about ensuring the safety of all pets while in the care of pet grooming professionals.” Final language will be released at an upcoming national grooming exposition. Alliance members are committed to incorporating these standards into their own training and/or certification programs, ensuring that groomers and stylists are taught to the same standards irrespective of which program they pursue. About the Professional Pet Groomers & Stylists Alliance The PPGSA was created to harness the experience and expertise of the three major national pet styling associations – IPG, ISCC and NDGA – to develop industry-wide best practices for pet grooming. In addition to these groups, members of the Alliance include trade groups such as the World Pet Association, the California Professional Pet Groomers Association, the New Jersey Pet Groomers Association and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, major retail partners such as Petco and PetSmart and pet care industry service providers such as the American Kennel Club, America’s Pet Registry, Inc. and Barkleigh. Alliance members meet regularly to review standards to ensure that they reflect current industry best practices. For more information, contact Mike Bober at (202) 309-3980 or [email protected]. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the All American Grooming Show coming up in August there will be a new informational meeting and discussion along with Teri Becker DiMarino releasing the basic guidelines that have been formed thus far on salon safety and sanitation. The exact date and time have not yet been released for this meeting but will soon, and I will update when they are. If you are attending, please be sure not to miss this meeting!