Background

I was born and grew up in London. My great aunt had a pet shop which incorporated one of London’s first “poodle parlours”. Naturally, every spare minute of my childhood was spent “helping” her. It was from her that I learned my first grooming skills and recognition of the popular breeds. My family owned basset hounds, min wire- haired Daschunds, racing whippets, tortoises, Siamese cats, parrots, gerbils, rats, hamsters, and snakes. For twelve years, I owned, bred and showed Dobermans often qualifying for Crufts. However, my main sphere of interest was temperament, genetics and working capabilities. Nowadays I own show and breed Kerry Blue terriers with my partner, and enjoy competing at grooming competitions. After having my two daughters, I opened my own grooming salon which has been running for over 20 years. A former trainee was the 2005 reserve newcomer groomer of the year. My salon is a pet care trust satellite training centre. I am the lecturer of grooming at duchy college Rosewarne, Cornwall.

Education

I left school with nine G.C.E’s have graded a-c: Maths, English Lit, English Language, French, Music, Biology, Social Sciences, Chemistry and History. I hold the city & guilds advanced grooming diploma, and the city & guilds level 3 teaching certificate. I am currently studying towards the advanced health and safety at work course. I am enrolled on to the higher grooming diploma and will take the first practical units later this year. I have started to learn Spanish and will take a further French course next year.

Future plans

I already teach students privately which I enjoy very much. People come to us from many different areas and backgrounds and we stay in touch with all of them after they leave us. They all work within the grooming industry and some have developed successful businesses. Once I have gained the higher grooming diploma I hope to achieve the status of premier training centre. I am currently looking for larger premises which will become an academy of training with accommodation for students who come from long distances. I am the south west area rep for the pet care trust and I hope to develop this role to bring the work of the trust in to the public eye.