Groomer to Groomer June 2022 by Barkleigh Productions

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL.41 ED.6 • JUNE 2022

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

STEPS TO A QUICKER

CLEAN

FIGHTING

COMPASSION FATIGUE IN THE

GROOMING SALON

CLEANING &

DISINFECTING

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED SINCE COVID-19

2022 CONTEST RESULTS

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Mobile/At-Home Grooming

CONTENTS | JUNE 2022

Cleaning and Disinfecting: What We’ve Learned Since COVID-19 6

by Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, ICMG

MASK M ASK O ON NA AND ND P PROSPER: ROSPER: Preventing Groomers Lung and Other Respiratory Disorders

by Kathy Hosler

Conner: Getting to Know "The Goddess of Color"

Fighting Compassion Fatigue in the Grooming Salon

Dr. Faver: The Solution to Pollution is Dilution

Hansen: Setting Healthy Boundaries During Lion-Cut Season

Oquendo: 4 Steps to a Quicker Clean

"Dog Mom" K. Jean Loves Dogs and it Shows

David: Using Alcohol to Get Through the Day

Hernandez: Stand Out With a Swirl

2022 Intergroom Contest Results

New Products

Show Schedule

ON THE COVER EDITOR/PRESIDENT Todd Shelly todd@barkleigh.com

ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington laura@barkleigh.com

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr adam@barkleigh.com

SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brandi Aurelio brandi@barkleigh.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Gwen Shelly gwen@barkleigh.com

WEB MASTER Luke Dumberth luke@barkleigh.com

MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Shipman rebecca@barkleigh.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER/ EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Karin Grattola karin@barkleigh.com DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS James Severs james@barkleigh.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Cassidy Ryman cassidy@barkleigh.com

EVAN GUMMO Director of Digital Media evan@barkleigh.com

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL.41 ED.6 • JUNE 2022

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

STEPS TO A QUICKER

CLEAN

FIGHTING

COMPASSION FATIGUE IN THE

GROOMING SALON

CLEANING &

DISINFECTING

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED SINCE COVID-19

Kathy Hosler

Mary Oquendo

Deborah Hansen

Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins

Daryl Conner

Jonathan David

Dr. Cliff Faver

Blake Hernandez

2022 CONTEST RESULTS

Copyright June 2022. Groomer to Groomer is published monthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Groomer to Groomer c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Annual U.S. subscription rate $25. Outside U.S. $79. year, surface rates. Groomer to Groomer is free to current Barkleigh Productions, Inc. customers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX: (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

Grooming Gab

Cleaning and Disinfecting: What We’ve Learned Since COVID-19 by Kathy Hosler

Cleanliness and sanitation have always been foundational necessities for a successful business. However, since the appearance of COVID-19, they are more important than ever.

contacted Corina Stammworthy and asked her to share some of her expertise and vast knowledge on cleaning and disinfecting products and procedures for the pet care industry. You may have seen Corina recently on television. She and Macie Pisa were the winning team on ABC’s dog grooming reality show, Pooch Perfect. But, Corina is not just a TV star; she is also a microbiologist with a master's degree in Biotechnology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she used her social media platforms to keep groomers informed about the virus and what they could be doing to combat it. She got down to the nitty-gritty of what it takes to protect your place of business, the pets you groom and yourself from the virus’s disease-causing pathogens. In 2020, Ms. Stammworthy received the Barkleigh Honors Award for “Contribution To The Industry,” and she currently teaches seminars on sanitation and vaccination protocol at grooming shows across the country. I asked Corina to delve into some of the questions groomers may still have, beginning by explaining the differences between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing. “Cleaning means to remove organic matter (debris, dust, hair,

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

feces, etc.) from a surface,” Corina explains. “That's an important step because many microbes thrive when they can live on ‘stuff.’ Disinfecting means to kill or inactivate pathogens (things that can make us sick). Sanitizing kills all microbes and makes something sterile. Sanitizing is overkill for what we do in the salon. It's reserved for things like operating rooms. Disinfecting is a sufficient level of biocontrol for the grooming salon. “Salon sanitation begins with cleaning. We all want a magic spray that does everything all at once, but that doesn't exist,” Corina continues. “Like it or not, you can't get away from doing the work of regular cleaning. Disinfectants have better efficacy on a clean surface.” Corina listed some of the things you should look for in a disinfectant: “It needs to be fast-acting, easy to use, and water-soluble. It should work on a wide variety of microbes and on multiple surfaces. Ideally, the disinfectant you choose should also be an environmentally-friendly cleaner, and be nontoxic, shelf-stable, and economical to use.” Corina emphasizes that no matter what disinfectant you choose, you will not get the results you desire if you do not follow the directions.

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Tips for Cleaning & Disinfecting Your Salon

1. Clean before disinfecting

5. Dispose of old disinfectants

2. Read labels carefully

6. Never mix chemicals

3. Measure out your cleaner

7. Create sanitizing procedures

4. Abide by contact time on label

8. Consider heat & UV light to disinfect

She also shared some common disinfecting pitfalls: “Eyeballing the ratio when you are mixing the solution. That's never a good idea. Follow the label instructions and measure everything accurately. “Not leaving the product on the surface long enough—that's a big one. When using disinfectants, contact time is key. Get in the habit of cleaning and wiping dry first, then applying wet disinfectant and leaving it on for the time recommended in the directions.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

“Using old products. Most disinfectants have a shelf life. Store them according to the manufacturer's instructions and dispose of them when expired. “Mixing cleaning chemicals. That can be super dangerous! Even if you don't kill yourself, mixing two chemicals might render each other ineffective,” she warns. Corina is the co-owner of the Laundromutt Grooming and Daycare in Buffalo, New York. I asked her about the sanitation procedures she follows at her own business...

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“We place mixed spray bottles of [disinfectant] at each grooming and drying station, and at reception,” says Corina. “We also use it to spot-clean floors throughout the day and it can be used to clean up urine. “At the end of the day, we use bleach diluted 1:10. We mix it as needed and use it on surfaces that have already been cleaned. We never mix bleach with any other product. Once applied, we allow at least 10 minutes of surface contact time. We dump any unused mixture after

“Salon sanitation begins with cleaning. We all want a magic spray that does everything all at once, but that doesn't exist. Like it or not, you can't get away from doing the work of regular cleaning." -Corina Stammworthy 24 hours. Weekly, we use [a stronger disinfectant] as a deep-clean step on all non-metal surfaces,” she shares. “Be a label reader,” Corina continues. “Whatever disinfectants you choose for your salon, I recommend using veterinary-grade products over household-grade. They are typically a higher concentration and will be able to kill more pathogens.” She urges every business to create and follow sanitation procedures for who does the cleaning, what is to be cleaned and which disinfectant to use. Train yourself and your staff on how

to correctly use it, then set up quality control measures to make sure everyone is disinfecting properly. In addition to chemicals, heat, UV light and dry air are the enemies of microbes. The heat produced by a steam mop is an efficient and easy way to disinfect your floors. And hot-cup sanitizers are a quick way to sterilize metal hand tools between pets. Ultra Violet (UV) light is a great way to destroy germs on multiple surfaces. You can get hand-held light sticks, table-top sanitizing cabinets or larger units that can disinfect an entire room.

SUMMER

Microbes flourish in damp places. So running a dehumidifier will reduce the moisture content of the air which results in less droplet transmission. Groomers are eagerly attending the seminars on salon sanitation that Ms. Stammworthy has been presenting online and at grooming shows. Her industry-specific information helps groomers keep abreast of the products, procedures, and application techniques for effective cleaning and disinfecting. “One of the most-asked questions I get is, ‘How do I clean my tools?’” Corina says. “Groomers have so many different

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materials that we have to clean and disinfect, it can be hard to know what to use. Something that works on one tool won't necessarily be the right kind of chemical for another. “For example, with shears and blades, it can be tough to pick a product that you know will work and not damage the actual material. My preferred method is to first clean them in an ultrasonic cleaner, and follow that by putting them in a UV sanitizer oven,” she shares. Corina strongly advises that some of the procedures we followed during the pandemic should remain a part of your daily routine. One of these is staying home if you are sick… “Groomers are notorious for having a ‘work-till-you-drop’ ethic,” Corina states. “You've got to be considerate of your co-workers and clients, and don't go to work if you are sick. “Handwashing is one of the best and easiest things you can do to prevent disease transmission. A thorough handwashing between pets and using hand sanitizer between each customer should be standard business practice for everyone. “An occupational hazard of grooming is inhaling hair, dust, dander, and who knows what else, when you are drying dogs or dremmeling nails,” Corina continues. “Mask wearing became the norm for most groomers and was required by many states and municipalities. That's something that you should definitely continue when performing these tasks.” COVID-19 has reinforced the necessity to effectively clean and disinfect your salon, and to protect the health of everyone in your organization. And those tasks are now easier for you, thanks to the comprehensive, up-to-the-minute information provided by industry experts like Corina Stammworthy. &

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Grooming Matters

Getting to Know

crolling through social media can be somewhat predictable sometimes…there is the typical

selection of memes, pictures of friends’ cute kids and grandchildren, and lots of fun pet images. But if you happen to follow Anaïs Hayden, “The Goddess of Color,” from Atlanta, GA, on Face-

"The

book or Instagram, you will find your

Goddess of Color" by Daryl Conner

media peppered with frequent images of brilliant art—gasp-worthy colors and designs, all created on the improbable “canvas” of fur. “I wanted to work with dogs since I was eight years old,” Hayden shared. “I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I am horrible at math, so I looked into pursuing my second dream, which was art. Luckily for me, God pointed me in the direction where I was able to combine both of my true loves together and make a career out of it. It’s hard work, extremely time-consuming, and the pressure is enormous, but it is so worth it. “When I first started, I had no idea people would want it and would buy it, and that I would become a canine colorist,” she said about creative grooming. Hayden’s unique colorwork differs from most of what we see in the creative competitions at grooming trade shows in that she specializes in working on small dogs with flat coats. In contrast, the dogs in the creative ring are almost exclusively standard Poodles. “I first started working for The Queen of Color, Dawn Omboy, at her pet grooming shop called Klippers in Columbus, GA when I was 15 years old. Dawn taught me how to groom dogs and introduced me to the wonderful world of creative grooming,” Hayden said. That first introduction has taken Hayden to levels of national recognition.

Photos provided by Anaïs Hayden

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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Her work has been seen on ABC’S 20/20,

negative criticism about her work. Not

as well just keep doing what you like.’ I

The Anderson Cooper Show, HBO’s Haute

only do I admire Hayden’s abilities to

go on hate groups now just so they will

Dog, CBS News and in the movies The

design and create the images she does,

talk about my work because hate groups

Hunger Games and Triple 9. Her work has

but I also applaud her attitude when it

spread it faster than the love groups.”

also been featured in multiple maga-

comes to dealing with the harsh criti-

zines, including Southern Living, Jezebel and Groomer to Groomer.

It isn’t easy to comprehend how anyone can so vehemently despise creative grooms.

cism she receives. “People say horrible things about

Hayden shared her theory: “Most people

me and the color,” Hayden continued. “I

who strongly dislike creative grooming just

ing podcast Sh*t on the Table, Hayden

spoke to my grandmother about it, and

cannot imagine ever having it done to their

said that after her appearance on

she said, ‘They are going to talk about you

dogs. They prefer their dogs’ natural coats

Anderson Cooper, she received lots of

whether you do bad or good, so you might

and feel very passionately that other people

In a recent interview on the groom-

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Animal Cruelty

"I love most of all how the dogs get the extra attention they deserve after they receive a creative grooming.” -Anaïs Hayden should feel the same way.” I asked what it is she likes best about

40% for creative and regular grooming, depending on the expected grooming

creative grooming, and she replied, “How

charge. Due to my customer appreciation

a creative groom looks extraordinary. I

policy, all grandfathered clients have this

love that it consists of different bright

deposit fee waived,” she said.

and vivid colors, and how much thought

Hayden is also the proud mother of a

and creativity goes behind the work. I

five-year-old daughter, whom she refers

love most of all how the dogs get the

to as her “greatest creative.” I asked

extra attention they deserve after they

her what her daughter thinks of her

receive a creative grooming.”

work, to which she replied: “She thinks

Working from her home studio,

all dogs are supposed to look colorful.

Hayden’s work consists of a mix of tra-

Seeing other dogs without color makes

ditional pet grooming and more colorful

her wonder why they aren’t colorful yet.

creations for her customers. Because her

She always compliments any groom I do,

creative grooms are so time-consuming,

with or without color. She literally thinks

she maintains a non-refundable deposit

everything I do is magic.”

in order to schedule with her. “The deposit is between 20 and

Happily, her daughter’s opinion is shared by many! &

Everything that leaves your practice should have your name on it. “O” RING

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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BOLT SNAP

AVAILABLE THROUGH YOUR LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR

Fighting

Compassion Fatigue in the Grooming Salon by Louise Dunn

onique is on the grooming table, and although she is a Maltese, she turns into a T. rex when you touch her feet. You would like to send her home instead of

fighting with her, but you know that her nails are getting too long and will start causing problems. You are the third groomer to battle with Monique and, unfortunately, she won’t be the last pet to test you today. Gomer is due to arrive soon. Wrestling with him to get him out of the carrier is exhausting. And let’s not forget

for implementing a plan to improve pets’ grooming experiences

about Sadie; her stress level is so high that she begins peeing

and reduce the compassion fatigue experienced by the team.

and pooping as soon as she enters the building. The entire team puts forth a happy attitude as they take each pet from

with your team. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical

its owner, but the team is getting tired of feeling stressed.

Association) has a tool to help team members measure the

But, actually, what they are feeling is compassion fatigue.

effects of helping others on themselves called “The Professional

Dealing with everything from outrageously-matted

Quality of Life (ProQOL) Assessment.” Consider adjusting the

pets and challenging style requests to reluctant dogs

language in the assessment for the grooming industry (care

and stressed-out cats is all in a day's work. However, the

provider = groomer/grooming, patient/client = pets receiving

constant exposure to pets under stress takes its toll on the

grooming services, care = grooming services, etc.). Although

grooming team, causing compassion fatigue.

developed for use by human health care providers, the tool is

Compassion fatigue is an emotional side effect of working with pets in distress and suffering. Those three pets coming in on this particular day are suffering from fear, anxiety and stress—and the team is vulnerable to the pressure. Compassion fatigue is characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion from wanting to care for or help pets

For starters, it is essential to discuss compassion fatigue

a starting point for discussing the workplace environment and mental wellbeing. Recommended action steps for dealing with compassion fatigue include: • Make time for yourself: Exercise, hobbies, leisure activities, unplug from technology

in need. Some may call it the high cost of caring, or burnout.

• Focus on your health: Meal breaks, healthy diet, adequate sleep

No matter what label you give it, groomers get worn down

• Create a support system

dealing with pets who are suffering—including pets suffer-

• Practice mindfulness and meditation

ing from stress during the visit to the salon. The result can

• Set boundaries: Know when to say “no”

be employees quitting their jobs…or worse. The time is now

• Make work an enjoyable place

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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Make work an enjoyable place? Is that

Imagine the team’s relief when Mo-

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nique is cuddly instead of a T. rex; when

in today's workplace—long hours, short-

Gomer willingly exits the carrier; or when

staffed, angry clients and challenging

Sadie trots into the building while main-

patient interactions? Of all the ideas that

taining control of all bodily functions. Re-

come to mind for making the workplace

moving that sense of dread one has when

enjoyable, think about one potential area

faced with the daily struggle of dealing

for improvement: creating a relaxed,

with stressed-out pets is a significant step

low-stress experience for the pets.

in making the workplace enjoyable and in

Why focus on the pets? Isn’t this

fighting compassion fatigue.

Of all the ideas that come

about the team’s stressors? A quick

to mind for making the

search for common issues of concern

salon experience for the pets? Tap into

for groomers turned up comments

these resources to get started:

workplace enjoyable, think

about wrestling unwilling dogs all day,

about one potential area

can end a career, and the need for pet

for improvement: creating a relaxed, low-stress experience for the pets.

stopping the groom for safety as a bite parents to train their dogs because it is

• Fear Free® Groomer Certification 2

Program from Fear Free Pets

• Low Stress Handling® University These resources are applicable

much easier to groom a dog that isn’t

for anyone working with pets. They

terrified to be at the groomer. There-

provide the tools, training programs,

fore, a stressed pet is a crucial compo-

video clips and slides to show the

nent of what stresses the team.

grooming team how to create a better

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Francis, salons making the change to a 4 low-stress environment notice:

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• A safer working environment • Happier and healthier human and animal clientele As Mikkel Becker points out, “One negative experience at the groomer can set the pet back for a lifetime. As such, it’s important for a pet to have protected care that watches out for both the animal’s physical and emotional wellbeing. The groomer is a place of particular significance in terms of how the animal is likely to happily or negatively anticipate

handling and care outside of the home.”

Many factors cause stress in a salon.

Implementing a change in the pet’s

While we can't prevent all stressors, we can

experience transforms the team’s daily

have a strategic plan to lower the fear, anx-

interactions with pets, clients and col-

iety and stress experienced by pets. This,

leagues. Instead of dreading that next

in turn, improves the grooming experience

grooming appointment, team members

for clients and salon teams, giving us the

can have the satisfaction of performing

gift of compassion satisfaction. &

grooming services on calm pets; they References:

in a conversation with a client who can

1. Assess your wellbeing. AVMA. https://

listen (instead of fussing with an upset

www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing/

pet); they experience a calmer, safer

assess-your-wellbeing

rience compassion satisfaction. Do not underestimate the importance of those daily interactions. According to a survey on compassion fatigue, veterinary

Helping AS GREAT AS THEY LOOK

2. Fear Free® Groomer Certification Program. Fear Free Pets. https:// fearfreepets.com/fear-free-groomercertification-course-overview/ 3. Low Stress Handling® University.

technicians report that “helping animals,

Low Stress Handling. https://

working as a team, and working with

lowstresshandling.com/

grateful clients helped protect them from

4. Hayward, T., Andors, J. & Francis, A.

(2018) Grooming Without Stress!

compassion fatigue.” Would groom-

PET GROOMING

THE ART OF

can have the satisfaction of engaging

workplace environment and they expe-

Holistic

ers say the same? Helping animals and

5. Compassion Fatigue and Compassion

working together—this is the face of a

Satisfaction. NC State Veterinary

workplace environment that enhances the

Medicine. https://cvm.ncsu.edu/human-

quality of life for both pets and people.

resources/employee-resources/compassion/

Transform your grooming practice into one that

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

Derm Connection Many of the substances we deal with

L U O T I ON S E TO TH

that harbor bacteria, fungi or viruses tend to be very tenacious, like fecal material, oils in the tubes of the bathing system or oils on the pets. When dried, these substances get even more tenacious. The good news is that the drying process does kill some of the infectious “beasts,” but rarely gets them all. So, in our cleaning process, we often have to soak or rehydrate to be able to clean effi-

IS DILUTION by Dr. Cliff Faver

fecal material, soaking the tubes from the bathing system or conditioning the pet’s skin prior to bathing all are methods that we use to accomplish this.

Often we go through the routine of cleaning without thinking about what we are accomplishing. The issue with this is that we may not be obtaining the results that we want to achieve. By understanding the “why” and going back to the basics, we could dramatically change the results.

On hard surfaces, mechanical cleaning is typically required to remove the material, like scraping the floor or running a pipe-cleaner-type tool down the hoses to remove the oils and debris. On our pets, we must take a softer approach. Aggressive scrubbing on the skin often will create inflammation which may cause even more debris when the body responds. When it comes to the stage of

hen we are cleaning a surface such as a cage, tub, floor, bathing system or

cleaning, we need a product that is de-

the skin of a pet, this basic science needs to be followed. First, we should

signed to break up the organic matter

remove the organic material or residue, then clean, and lastly, disinfect.

so that it can be diluted even further.

Many get confused in the process and mix up the cleaning and disinfecting steps, or

Things like bleach, vinegar or disin-

think that disinfecting on top of organic material gets the job done.

fectants (unless in a combination) are

Let’s break that down a little further so we understand the principles…

not designed to do this. Also remem-

If you use bleach as a cleaning agent, there is an issue because bleach is a dis-

ber that these are chemicals and they

infectant and does not contain surfactants to actually clean. If you don’t remove

must go through a chemical reaction,

the organic material first, that would be like spraying a pile of poo with bleach and

so it takes a little bit of time for this to

thinking you have adequately disinfected. As we look at any surface, the first thing

occur. For instance, if you have a nasty,

we need to accomplish is to remove as much of the debris as possible before we start

greasy cooking pan, cleaning can be

the cleaning process.

easier by letting it soak for a bit in dish

The phrase “The solution to pollution is dilution” means if we can minimize the

ciently. Spraying down or soaking dried

soap. Similarly with a pet, if you leave

dirt, bacteria and fecal material before we start, the less debris there will be to clean

the shampoo (not dish soap!) on for

and disinfect. Once we remove the excess debris, we can then use a cleaner that will

about five minutes, you will get better

remove the small amount that is left. And once that is accomplished, we can come

cleaning results than if you shampoo

back with a correct product to actually disinfect or kill any residual “bugs” that are

twice in close succession (and you’ll

still hanging out. The whole idea here is to prevent the spread of disease.

use less product).

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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When it comes to disinfecting (after the

The phrase “The solution to pollution is dilution” means if we can minimize the dirt, bacteria and fecal material before we start, the less debris there will be to clean and disinfect.

yourself and the environment.

cleaning process), it too is a chemical reac-

As groomers and veterinarians, one

tion. Way too often we spray product on a

of our main emphases is the health and

surface and wipe it off instantly and assume

wellbeing of the pets we care for. If we are not

we have done our job. In actuality, disinfec-

cleaning and disinfecting their environment

tants need a certain amount of contact time.

or the equipment we use to take care of them

If we rush the process, then we don’t get the

appropriately, then we become the source of

full benefit of the product. It is important

disease ourselves. This should not be some-

to also note that the contact time does vary

thing that we consider doing once a month,

depending on the organism you are trying

once a week or even once a day, it should be

to kill. Some bacteria and viruses are very

our thought process between every animal if

fragile and are killed easily, but others are

there is any chance we could spread disease.

very hardy and resistant so they will need a lot of contact time to be eliminated. The hard part is that the bottle may

Think about it from your own perspective—would you feel comfortable bathing in someone else’s dirty bath wa-

say that it kills parvo, HIV, MRSA/MRSP

ter or sitting on the exam table (in those

and Salmonella, but it doesn’t list out the

special paper gowns) after someone

contact times to accomplish each one of

else that might be carrying a disease?

those. That is always a good discussion to

We can’t write this off as a difference

have with your supplier so that you are

of human versus pet; it is a matter of

aware, and you can adequately protect

potential disease spread. The issue with the spread of disease is

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we can’t see the “beasties” that cause disease; therefore, it is easy to ignore them. Instead, we should assume they are always there and be diligent about stopping the spread. The phrase we should live by is “The solution to pollution is dilution,” and work to get rid of as many of the “bad guys” as we can. & Dr. Cliff Faver graduated with a BS in Biology/BA in Chemistry before getting a Veterinary degree in 1987. He is the past owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona and now the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products, teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program, and speaks internationally on hair and skin. His passion is to merge groomers and veterinarians to aid in helping and healing pets. He is also a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, Board member with Burbank Kennel Club, and has served on Novartis Lead Committee,

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Kitty’s Corner

Setting Healthy Boundaries During

by Deborah Hansen

s spring turns to summer and the temperatures begin to

to over an hour, and possibly more in some cases. I do not

rise, the phone starts ringing with customer concerns

recommend working on a cat for longer than 45 minutes to

for pelted kitties. And after a slow start to the year, the

an hour at a time. Difficult pelt removals are best completed

increase in appointment requests can be a positive sign for

during multiple appointments. The physical demands on your

your business and personal finances.

body from a pelt removal can be much greater than those

It is tempting to schedule every cat that you are contacted

from a regular bath and brush or lion cut with no matting.

Emotional Toll

about to groom. But while taking every appointment request can be beneficial for your business and personal finances, it may not be the best option for your physical or mental health.

Physical Toll

of a pelt removal comes into play. Knowing the cat you are grooming had been neglected for months, if not years, to get

Pelted cats are physically demanding due to the strength

into the condition they are in today can bring up a wide range

and endurance the pelt removal process requires. Constant-

of emotions. When we know this is not the first pelt removal

ly making sure the skin is held tight—especially when you

for this kitty, our emotions escalate even more. When you see

cannot see the skin—and chipping away at the hard mats at

one or two pelted kitties, it is easy to convince ourselves we

skin level can lead to hand cramping. If the kitty is impatient

are helping the cats—we are making the cat’s life much better

or aggressive, more of your physical strength and energy is

for the next few months.

required to hold the cat.

As summer approaches and the temperatures begin to

A pelt removal can extend the amount of time spent performing the shaving portion of the lion cut from 10 minutes

After you are physically worn down, the emotional aspect

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

rise, it is not uncommon to go from one or two pelt removals a month to multiple requests for pelt removals a day.

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As summer approaches and

This is the point that cat grooming can

the temperatures begin to

wellbeing. It is important to have strat-

become very hard on our emotional egies in place to finish lion-cut season

rise, it is not uncommon to go

in a good place mentally.

from one or two pelt removals

frustrated and sad after you have

a month to multiple requests for pelt removals a day.

It is very easy to become angry, seen multiple pelt removals in a short period—especially if you had removed a pelt from those cats previously. Lion-cut season is a time when it is easy to burn out and lose your joy and passion for feline grooming. Often this leads to being short with clients who made an honest mistake or did something out of ignorance, which is not fair to them or their kitty.

Scheduling

The first step in setting healthy boundaries during lion-cut season is asking the right questions before setting up an appointment. My favorite question is, “Can you get your fingers between the fur and the skin on kitty’s back?” Instantly I will know if kitty is pelted and usually how bad the coat is by their response. Once we can predict that the appointment will be a pelt removal, we need to carefully choose where we will place this cat on the schedule. If you had a slow winter, you may be desperate for every kitty you can get. I know I was for many years. The temptation is to put the cat on the schedule for today, or stack as many cats as possible into one day. While every business is different, that strategy is not sustainable for the long term. Scheduling pelt removals in a way that prevented burnout was an art that took me years to perfect. During the “off season,” I schedule one pelt removal on my first day of the week. That way I am well rested and able to spend all the time and focus I need to help the kitty and family to my best

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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ability. During lion-cut season, my plan

coat condition, I am happy I can help

I do include that charge in my quote.

changes to taking one pelt removal a

that family. For the majority of my

Families are always relieved when the

day as the last cat. Before I meet the

pelt removals, I itemize the charges.

total is less than the initial quote. It is

cat and family, I schedule a nice long

I have my standard lion-cut fee that

never good to increase the price after

break to refresh.

covers the amount of time to shave

you begin grooming.

Charging Your Worth

The next step in taking care of yourself during lion-cut season is by charging what the service is worth. A pelt removal takes much more time, skill, and physical and emotional energy than a lion cut. Your pelt-removal fees should reflect the proportional increase in your time and skill needed for this advanced groom. You can itemize your fees or charge by your time. Both strategies can be very lucrative. I charge by my time for cats that came to their new owner already pelted. When the current owner had nothing to do with the cat’s current

a cat with no mats, then I add on my pelting fee. This is the padding I have for the average additional time it takes to remove a pelt. I also have a “skin-in-pelt” fee for those kitties that have their arm pit skin twisted into the matting. A “fecal-removal” fee is usually necessary to compensate for the fecal matter being caked into the blades. Elderly kitties tend to be underweight, so I have an “elderly” fee for the extra time it takes to remove a pelt on an underweight cat. All my fees are posted, and before I start the groom, I make sure the family knows the cost of the groom. If I am not sure about skin in the mats,

Customer Education

Repeat pelt removals are hard. Of course you want to help the cat, but you have to protect your emotional wellbeing. My policy is to provide the tools and education needed to prevent pelt removals in the future. I do this by having a pelt-removal package that offers a series of grooms, plus education on how to brush the cat. At the first appointment, I stress I will only do one pelt removal on this cat. If I haven’t seen the cat after about two months, I send out a “we miss you” email reminding the family I will not preform another pelt removal on their cat. When they call a year or two later, I may or may not groom their cat. If I do take their cat, the price goes up and I make it very clear that this is the last

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cat will need a pelt removal, limiting the number of pelt removals you perform in a week, charging for the time and skill the groom requires, and saying “no” to repeat pelt removals will help you have a profitable lion-cut season without burning out. &

Groomer’s Guide

MASK M ASK O ON NA AND ND P PROSPER: ROSPER: Preventing Groomers Lung and Other Respiratory Disorders

by Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, ICMG

ust when we all thought that we might be able to finally put our masks away, grooming health and safety experts are reminding us that we should have always been wearing masks at work to prevent Groomers Lung and other respiratory disorders. Wearing masks is an important safety practice that all groomers should continue to implement for the rest of our careers whenever we are in an environment where grooming is taking place. This isn’t new information. Instructional textbooks for student groomers written many years ago, such as Introduction to the Foundations of Dog Grooming by Karla Addington-Smith, CMG, show photos of groomers wearing masks, urging this important basic safety practice. This and other grooming textbooks dating back thirty years and more have all encouraged masking while grooming. In addition, grooming safety educators

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

speak about this regularly at trade shows and in online educational seminars. So, thankfully, groomers are becoming more aware of the risks of grooming unmasked. GROOMERS LUNG Groomers Lung is, sadly, a chronic condition, which means it is permanent going forward. The condition affects our lung function and can be very debilitating. Pet groomers are at high risk due to constantly breathing in tiny bits of hair, dander and other particles as we bathe, blow-dry, brush, comb and trim pets. Over time, this difficult and dangerous problem can lead to inflammation and, in severe cases, scar tissue. Some former groomers must even carry oxygen tanks with them wherever they go. It is one of the most serious and debilitating side effects of a grooming career, alongside damaged hearing, joint and bone issues, especially in our hands, as we age. Groomers Lung is caused by inhaling

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particulate matter, or PM. The United States Federal Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) website describes it this way: “PM stands for particulate matter (also called particle pollution): the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small they can only be detected using an electron microscope.” The particulate matter thrown off while grooming is generally that “invisible” type—usually too small to be seen with the naked eye. Medical experts warn that once we get Groomers Lung, it will likely affect us for the rest of our lives. Symptoms include chronic coughing, frequent chest pain and general inflammation of the airway. Groomers also suffer from other lung-related issues like bronchitis or pneumonia, and those with existing

Lungs are a dead end; it is easy for air and dust to enter, but leaving may be impossible. Human lungs are not capable of processing or breaking down this airborne material. respiratory issues such as asthma, or those who are smokers or are exposed to second-hand smoke, may be at an even higher risk. Our bronchial tubes, once damaged, can’t be repaired. When groomers clip and brush a dog, tiny pieces of hair, clumps of fur and dander fly through the air. When this material is introduced into the air in the shop—especially if there is no active air filtration system in place—groomers are going to inhale it. This hair, fur and dander will travel deep into the lungs and

accumulate. Lungs are a dead end; it is easy for air and dust to enter, but leaving may be impossible. Human lungs are not capable of processing or breaking down this airborne material. NOT WORTH THE RISK Famed groomer, author and educator Jodi Murphy has been very vocal about Groomers Lung ever since she was diagnosed with it. Courageously, she has spoken about this problem for years. But until the pandemic hit, she couldn’t really get people interested in wearing masks

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while grooming. “But now that we are used to wearing them,” she said, “all groomers should really continue to wear them. Everyone thinks this will not happen to them. I had always been a very healthy, active person. Now I deal with this every day, and it sucks—it’s the worst—and totally not worth taking the risk.” Jodi believes that mobile groomers (as she was for many years) are even more susceptible because of the confined space they work in. And she warns that mask wearing is especially important during blow-drying. Dogs’ skin and coat shed off the largest amounts of particulate matter while being blown dry. Jodi Murphy went to Mt. Sinai Hospital for treatment, where the Doctors told her, “Breathing in those particles is an irritant to your airways, causing a constant cough. That is how it starts—coughing from the irritants. It’s the reaction of your lungs to the irritant. The bronchial tubes are damaged by the chronic coughing, creating mucous. These lead to lung infections and inflammation. All you can do, for the rest of your life, is to keep your airways open, and several times a day thin your mucous by using a nebulizer with an albuterol and sodium chloride solution.” As we know, pets can carry all sorts of germs on or inside them. When she was first diagnosed with Groomers Lung, Jodi reported that doctors found pseudomonas bacteria in her lungs—a very serious bacterial infection. She was put on a treatment which is usually reserved for cystic fibrosis patients. It took a full year of treatment to get the bacterial complication out of her lungs.

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A resource article on DaySmartPet.com1 points out additional benefits to protecting our lungs by keeping our workspaces clean and grooming on a colored surface that better shows the hair, such as the pink mat I have on my table. This way, you are better able to clean and remove all the little hairs from your workspace. Vacuuming is better than brushing it onto the floor, and it is important to stay masked during your clean-up times, too! NOT JUST ANY MASK Wearing a mask at all times while you are grooming helps to prevent this very serious condition, but the masks have to be of a kind that filter out tiny particles of dander and hair. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) websites both recommend N95 masks that completely cover your mouth and nose to filter out any dan-

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

gers from particulates in the air. Complete coverage of the nose and mouth is critically important, as we have all learned during this trying and historic pandemic we have been living through. Wear a new mask every day, or wash reusable masks well between uses. Reusing a mask from the previous day only worsens your exposure to these tiny damaging particles as they will collect and build up in the fabric as well. Plastic face shields are not adequate because they allow most of the air in the room to still reach your face and nose. Industrial air scrubbers and air purification systems help to maintain healthy air in your salon, but even with this equipment, groomers should still always wear a mask.

cosmetologists, nail technicians, coal miners, construction workers, insulation installers and lots of others are also at high risk of infection and disease of the lungs from particulate matter. We are not alone. We should also be proud of our commitment to each other in this very special profession, our service to the dogs and our promise to take care of our own health so that we can live longer, happier lives.

WE ARE NOT ALONE Just remember that there are a whole host of other professions that have to mask up while at work—medical personnel, beauticians, estheticians,

References: 1. Groomers Lung: 6 Tips to Help Groomers Stay Safe and Healthy. (18, Jan, 2021). DaySmart Pet. https://www.daysmartpet.com/news/groomers-lung/

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If you haven’t been following this important safety practice as a career groomer, now is a great time to start. After all, we have all been enduring this mask-wearing thing for two years now— we’ve got it down! &

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Mary’s Musings

I STEPS

TO A QUICKER CLEAN by Mary Oquendo

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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don’t know about you, but cleaning is my least favorite activity. And as with all least-favorite activities, there is a tendency to procrastinate, with the end result usually being a task that takes you longer to do than it should. Time is a commodity that you can’t renew; you either use it wisely or subtract it from other activities. So, why must we clean in the first place? Let’s first talk about the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes the most common vectors of transmission of contagions— the biological. Biological include hair, dander, dirt, blood, urine and feces. Contagions are bacteria, viruses and spores that have the potential to spread disease. Cleaners do not necessarily disinfect. Disinfecting disables the contagion to prevent cross-contamination, but disinfectants work better on clean surfaces. My solution was to figure out how to clean in an efficient manner so that I have more time to spend on things I enjoy. Here are four ways I have found that can speed up your salon or mobile cleaning routine: 1. Hire someone specific for the job. This is my personal favorite. People who are good at something do it efficiently, have the right equipment and use the proper products. Sound familiar? Think about all the combs you possess. You know exactly how and when to use each one. Someone who is focused on the task and has a familiar routine will get it done faster as well. You can hire a specific person for this job and set them up for success, or use a cleaning service. A part-time, end-of-day hire will cost you less than what you pay your groomer, freeing them up to make money for your business. They will also be happier not cleaning up at the end of the day. A professional cleaning service generally costs anywhere between $50 and $100 an hour, depending on what you want done and where you are located. Anjie Coates in Holden, MA uses a professional commercial cleaning service

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Hire someone specific for the job.

Prepare checklists specifying what needs to be done.

for her 1,350 sq. ft. grooming facility every other week for a deep cleaning. It costs her $300 per month. In groomer speak, Anjie’s cleaning service costs her three dogs or two shave-downs on a cat. A regular deep cleaning makes dayto-day cleaning go that much faster as the nooks and crannies are maintained. What a cleaning service or specific hire really does is free up your time. Instead of spending hours cleaning, I could groom far more pets, bringing in more income than what the service costs, or spend time with my family. 2. Prepare checklists specifying what needs to be done. I am the queen of check-

Organize your facility and use equipment that maintains a clean environment.

lists. I have a checklist for everything. They take the decisions out of the equation so there is no wasting time figuring out what needs to be done; it’s written right in front of you. They set up a specific hire for success which speeds up training. They also tell a cleaning service exactly what needs to be done and how you want it done. The checklists should be detailed to include products and the manner in which they are to be used. There should be a checklist for each category of cleaning. Categories should include: in between pets, end of day, end of week, end of month and quarterly. Checklists can be

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Prepare ahead of time.

employee-specific if you decide not to hire an individual for cleaning or use a service. 3. Organize your facility and use equipment that maintains a clean environment. Closed containers and storage cabinets help to keep hair and debris off of products and equipment when not in use. Drying dogs predominately in the tub reduces flying hair and netting (the kind that goes over baby cribs) used around tables for blow-outs also contains hair. That is probably one of the best hacks I’ve run across and I wish I could credit the groomer that came up with it. The netting is easily sourced on Amazon or any place that sells baby equipment. Clipper vacuum systems will suck hair from clipping right into a vacuum system. And full-room UV sanitizers and commercial air cleaners used overnight will aid in keeping your facility sanitized and smelling fresh. 4. Prepare ahead of time. Have cleaning supplies and equipment located in one specific spot along with laminated checklists. Don’t have a laminator? They are about $25-30 on Amazon, and worth every penny. Not having to constantly redo checklists is a timesaver. You can use dry erase markers to check off the tasks as they are done. If you pre-mix cleaning solutions, detail those formulas on another laminated sheet and follow manufacturer’s instructions regarding storage. Where these steps really paid off for me was in winter when days are much shorter. Personally, for my mental health, I needed to be in my house before dark. Having checklists and my mobile van organized in a way that sped up cleaning, along with someone else doing that longer end-of-week cleaning, I would be in my house within 20 minutes of parking in my driveway. &

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Groomer Story

by Jen Phillips April Photos Provided by K. Jean Bolanos

“I think I was a dog before I was human,” K . Jean Bolanos, owner of Dog Mom Pet Care and Grooming by Jean, jokes. “I’ve had dogs since I was seven years old and have always been a dog person.” 44

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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er love for dogs is evident in the

continues. “It helps me understand and

glowing Yelp reviews: “She gave him rest breaks where she picked

feel more confident while grooming, whether it’s a Doberman or small Poodle

him up off the table and held him like a baby,” says one happy customer. Another

mix. They know me after three to four grooms, and the dogs trust me.”

says, “I love that K. Jean sends pictures of my Angel while she is grooming her!”

Of course, it’s not all happy licks: “Some dogs are really difficult and can be danger-

In Yonkers, NY, K. Jean handles around 20 dogs on weekdays and 35 on Saturdays.

ous. This is when I might ask the parents to take them to the vet and get help from the

“I have 2,300 active clients and 12 part-time assistants, including brush-

vet, like medication, but that’s maybe 1% of all the dogs I groom,” K. Jean adds.

ers, bathers, and two secretaries. One secretary schedules the customers while

Besides skill and patience, there are other things that set Dog Mom Pet Care

the other takes photos and videos to send to the parents and post on social media,” she shares. A large number of K. Jean’s clients are considered “difficult dogs,” which she has become known for handling. “I’m very patient. I believe every dog deserves to be groomed, which is important for health. I’ve groomed traumatized dogs, geriatric dogs, and fur babies of all sizes. I’ve studied dog psychology and understand dogs’ demeanors,” she

and Grooming by Jean in the busy Yonkers area apart from the rest. For one, she’s arguably the only area groomer who handles pit bulls: “My clients have told me I’m the only groomer who’ll groom pit bulls,” she said. Besides taking all breeds, her business also stands out from the rest with her photo and video updates: “One of my secretaries takes photos and videos to send to the parents while their dog is with us,” K. Jean shares.

“I’m very patient. I believe every dog deserves to be groomed, which is important for health. I’ve groomed traumatized dogs, geriatric dogs, and fur babies of all sizes." -K. Jean

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

K. Jean has two dogs of her own. Her Chihuahuas, Minnie and Cooper, who are named after her car, are well-traveled.

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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In addition to keeping her clients up to date on what’s going on with their pets, she also goes above and beyond with her customer service by booking around people’s schedules: “We encourage people to book ahead to have regular grooming appointments. But I work around people’s schedules. Sometimes I’ll groom on my days off because I know that’s the only day the dog is available. We use Google calendar and send reminders the day before.” K. Jean also expressed that customer communication is very important in her business. She’s helped customers identify skin allergies and even Lyme disease: “When I see a coat and skin problem, I recommend the pet parents see the vet, and they call me and thank me that I was right. “I had one customer call and described her dog as lethargic,” she continues. “I asked if the dog was vaccinated for Lyme, and she said no. I recommended she take her dog to the veterinarian because it sounded like Lyme, and that’s very dangerous if untreated. The veterinarian saw the dog and confirmed it was Lyme disease. The dog could have died without treatment.” One benefit of working for K. Jean as an assistant is the extensive training that they receive: “I train them by coming to work earlier and showing them how I use the clippers. They start with the comb and not the blades,” she continues. “Every day, they follow the structure of the dog’s

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

antibiotics. It has been a tough journey, but the nourishment Leah receives and the bond we share is so worth it. There is something so special about knowing that your whole body is pouring out the love for your baby that you have in your heart.

Have you experienced any bias because of breastfeeding? I think the public is gradually becoming more accepting of breastfeeding, but there is still work that needs to be done. Breasts are so over-sexualized in our culture that many people still think of breastfeeding as something that needs to be hidden away, either under a nursing cover or in a special nursing room, like the one at church I am expected to go to every time my baby gets hungry during a church service. In many other cultures, no one looks at you twice when you LIFESTYLE use your breasts for the very purpose they were designed for—feeding babies! How great would it LIFE KS FOR THE be if our culture could get to this HAC point, too?

There is something so special about knowing that your whole body is pouring out the love for your baby that you have in your heart. – Dr. Sara Pilgrim

Y PA R EN T

S2 pump hat Ifor work! didn’t find? Life hacks for the working veterinary mom. So here are my top 5 lifepadshacks for Nursing I would the working veterin parent (and yes, ary constantlythis leakapplie through s to you dads, too.)

my clothes without them!

DON ’T

UNSWAD DLE AT NIGH

Plesser

B r e a s t fe e d i n g P ro d u c t s

WORK IN VET ER INAR G

Do you have advice for those considering breastfeeding?

Read as much as you can about breastfeeding before you have the baby! I spent a lot of time learning about giving By Justin birth,ebut Lee,I naively DACV thought that breastfeeding would "just come ECC, DABT As a hyper–effi naturally," andcient I wasveter not very well informed inarian, I was tryin aboutg the problems we ended up having. to prep are as much as I could prior Also, find a good lactation consultant! I was to my one–and–only lucky enough to give birth at achild For those . where hospital of you guys who know Myers– Briggs perso continued on page 24 nality scori ng, I’m a prett high “J” (e.g., y anal retentive), so I wanted to be as orga nized as poss ible for this baby thing. Boy, was I in for a surprise. I love my Spectra

I prepared as much as I could by reading all parenting and the baby books early. But there are lies in the books some that no one fills you in on—a I’ll shareMAGAZINE PETVET the two bigges nd t right now. First, skin.” Really? IT'S OK TO INTR “skin to You don’t think ODUCE THE PACIF your baby is going naturally bond IER BEFORE to to you? You don’t 30 DAYS need to strip baby out of his the PJ’s and unswa Ah, the pacifie ddle at night breastfeeding. r. All the books while That’s what I say that babies nipple confusion was doing; maxim get the skin to skin and not to give izing by unswaddling them a pacifie for one month. I learne r , breastfeedin changing the d all my mom g, diaper, and re–swa had introduced friends ddling a pacifier I had a totally …and now awake baby. After after day two… my sixth week while in the doing this, the of teacher of my hospital. I’m mom’s group so rule–abiding our whole group yelled at , of new moms for one month NEW PETI waited . “NO,” she replied “Slather a ton CARE . of baby diaper —but regret not rash cream on, with the lights startfeed COMM off, and let him UNITY ing sooner! All sleep those coma.” You don’t off the milk read that in any long nights…why RESOU baby books RCE didn’t ! someone tell me it was ok to start WORKS TO earlier?!

INDUSTRY NEWS

PHOTO BY Leslie

D r . S a ra ’ s

Must-Have

A n t i m i c ro b i a l R esi sta n ce

ADDRESS HEALTH RISKS

PETVET MAGAZI

By Gwyn Donohue

wo million people are infected with resistant strains of bacteria and 23,000 deaths result from antibiotic resistance in the U.S. each year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. What makes this troubling statistic important to the veterinary community, other pet care profession als and pet owners is that two relatively common bacteria species that have resistant strains, Campylobacter and Salmonell a, are also common in many pets. While these are not classified by the CDC as urgent threats of greatest concern to human health, they are considered a serious threat. One example is a 2016 outbreak of antibioticresistant campylobacteriosis that involved 113 patients in 17 states, and was determined to be linked to puppies. Instances like this, along with the fact that resistant strains of bacteria are developing at increasingly rapid rates and outpacing the introduction of new antibiotics , has caused public health officials and the pet care community to actively address the issue of responsible use of antibiotics in companio n animals. “Recognizing that antibiotic resistant germs are a growing and serious health risk to both humans and animals, last year PIJAC committed to work with the pet care community to create best management practices to combat AMR as part of our participation in the

26 PETVET MAGAZINE

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

“I’ve learned so much from the continuing education seminars with Barkleigh. I am grateful that you are there for groomers like me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” -K. Jean GBfather-2022-June-GroomersBest.pdf 1 5/2/2022 11:51:22 AM

CMY

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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body from the head, neck, and tail with a comb attachment on the clippers. If they use the blade and are not trained enough, it’s possible that it could nick a dog.” The top priority of K. Jean’s bathing and brushing process is to check for any skin issues. If there are any, she notifies the pet parents so they can call their veterinarian. She also does a preand post-grooming inspection form to clarify any potential issues. In addition to caring for and grooming a large percentage of the Yonkers-area dog population, K. Jean has two dogs of her own. Her Chihuahuas, Minnie and Cooper, who are named after her car, are well-traveled. They’ve been to Madrid, Portugal and Mexico in recent years. K. Jean credits the Barkleigh shows with helping hone her grooming skills: “I’ve learned so much from the continuing education seminars with Barkleigh. I am grateful that you are there for groomers like me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she concludes. &

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But Why?

Using to Get Through the Day by Jonathan David

First, let’s be clear that I’m talking about isopropyl alcohol which, when diluted to 70%, is known as rubbing alcohol.

hen I was a small child, one of the things that I can recall finding the most confusing was alcohol. Alcohol was something that the adults drank and it was kept in a special cabinet in the kitchen. But alcohol was also something that we kept in our medicine chest, just in a different bottle. At the time, I didn’t understand that they were two very different kinds of alcohol. Ethyl alcohol is what people consume whereas isopropyl alcohol is the kind that is used as an antiseptic and to sanitize. As confusing as it was, I remember knowing that the alcohol in the medicine chest was definitely not to be consumed. Instead, this alcohol was a slightly painful antisep-

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

% 0 7ALCOHOL liquid hand sanitizer, isopropyl alcohol is more commonly used in alcohol-based sanitizers. It is a colorless, flammable chemical compound with a very strong and distinct odor. Isopropyl alcohol is mixed with water in varying percentages

tic that my mother would often have to use to clean my scrapes and cuts. (I was a bit of a wild child.) I remember I would also see alcohol being used in our family doctor’s office to disinfect our skin before getting a shot, and thinking it was pretty powerful stuff. But why is alcohol so powerful and how is it useful to groomers?

from 60-80% to create a powerful and

First, let’s be clear that I’m talking

within hospitals, pharmaceutics, clean

effective antiseptic. Because of its effectiveness, alcohol is commonly used in aftershaves, lotions and cosmetics, and it is also used as an inexpensive solvent for cosmetics such as nail polish, hairspray build-up and gums. In fact, isopropyl alcohol is the most common and widely-used disinfectant

about isopropyl alcohol which, when

rooms, and in medical and electronic

diluted to 70%, is known as rubbing

manufacturing, making it an excellent

alcohol. While I do enjoy a good cock-

and necessary product that all groomers

tail now and then, drinking and dog

should have on hand.

grooming generally aren’t a good

Pet groomers encounter all kinds of

combination. Even though ethyl alcohol

germs on a daily basis. Dirty pets with

can also be used in sanitizers such as

skin issues seem to be a daily occurrence,

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for grooming July 22-24 2022

Houston, Texas Educational Seminars, Creative Styling Competitions & More!

HAND SANITIZER

70% alcohol

Not only is alcohol a great product for sanitizing your tools and grooming areas, but it’s also a great way to quickly sanitize your hands.

and those pets can spread bacteria and viruses to our working environments. Isopropyl alcohol can kill harmful viruses and bacteria within 10 seconds of contact, making it a fast and effective disinfectant. Some of the common but dangerous bacteria that alcohol is effective against are staph, E.coli and many common fungi such as yeast. Keeping a spray bottle of 60-80% isopropyl alcohol within reach is a great way to disinfect table surfaces, tools and tubs. It’s important to note that higher percentages of isopropyl alcohol do not make it more effective; in fact, it’s actual-

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

ly less effective. Alcohol evaporates more rapidly than water, so concentrates of alcohol higher than 80% will evaporate before the alcohol has had enough time to effectively kill viruses and bacteria. By adding water at a dilution of 60-80% (with 70% being preferred), the water slows the evaporation rate, allowing the alcohol to effectively disinfect the surfaces being sanitized. Rubbing alcohol is also an excellent cleanser for your shears. Alcohol is effective in sanitizing your metal shears without the risk of damaging your titanium coating. The alcohol will

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disinfect your shears while cleaning them of any dirt and smudges. Wipe with a microfiber cloth after the alcohol dries and your shears will be clean and shiny and ready for the next pet. After each pet, I spray all the combs, brushes and scissors I used with 70% alcohol from a spray bottle and allow it to air dry. Wiping the alcohol away before it evaporates renders it ineffective in the ability to kill bacteria and viruses. Not only is alcohol a great product for sanitizing your tools and grooming areas, but it’s also a great way to quickly sanitize your hands. When full washing is not necessary or an option, spraying alcohol on your hands will safely sanitize the surface of your skin. Just as I sanitize my tools between dogs, I also sanitize my hands. You can also mix 70% isopropyl alcohol with aloe gel to make homemade hand sanitizer. And by adding a few drops of your favorite scented oil to the hand sanitizer, your hands will be sanitized and smell fresh. While alcohol is an excellent option for cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and unbroken skin, it’s not the best option for disinfecting open cuts or scrapes. Alcohol causes a burning sensation to open wounds and can actually make a minor injury feel much worse. If you nick a pet’s skin with your scissor or clipper, definitely do not use alcohol to clean the area. There are excellent products for soothing minor skin irritation and cleansing small breaks in the skin that do not cause the area to sting or burn. We all need to keep a clean and safe grooming environment, and using alcohol is a safe, effective and inexpensive way to achieve that goal. A little spray will go a long way! &

Y O U R E X P E R T IS E

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Elevate Your Grooming

BEFOR

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The swirl trim is the perfect blend of whimsy and tradition that can be done on many different breeds. It brings fantasy, elegance and standards all to the same table. Add this special “twist” to your grooming that no one can resist!

by Blake Hernandez

FIG. 1

FIG. 2

Fig 1) I begin with the basics like shaving the feet, face and tail.

Fig 2) At first, I completely ignore the added swirl feature and simply trim the dog to a maintenance-length Modern Pet trim. In this case, I used a 3/8” guard comb over a #30 blade.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

FIG. 3

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Fig 3) For 90% of the pets I groom, whatever I do on the body, I do in reverse on the dog’s underline.

Dogs are deeply woven into the fabric of our society and families. As the canine solidifies his position as “man’s best friend”, it’s more important than ever for man to understand dog’s complex social language.

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FIG. 4

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

FIG. 9

Fig 4) I then begin to transition from short to long around my dog’s neck-shave pattern. Fig 5) In the rear, from the point of rump to the deepest part of the knee bend, I take it very tight. In this case, I used a ¼” guard comb. Fig 6) Now I switch to a ½” guard so I can begin to blend down the larger muscle groups like the shoulder and thigh. Fig 7) You can see here, with a Poodle, it’s okay to come in front of their thigh a little to accentuate their waist. Fig 8) Now for the swirl! It starts with a straight line down the dog’s back that will stop just behind the ribcage. Fig 9) Now I switch to a thinner “toe blade” and split my spine shave line into a “V” so that it creates a swirl on either side of the dog.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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FIG. 10

FIG. 11

Fig 10) I find that doing this swirl without picking up your blade even once is the best way; one continuous line that begins to swirl just behind the withers, then curves again when it extends to level with the tuck-up, and then once more just before the last rib.

FIG. 12

FIG. 13

Fig 11) Next I do my scissor work around my shave-line patterns, starting with the neck. Fig 12) Since the swirl obviously has lots of curves, it’s easier to transition it with a curved scissor. Fig 13) Then I fluff out the tail and scissor to shape.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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FIG. 14

FIG. 15

Fig 14) Looking through the back legs while in the front of the dog allows me to trim hard-to-see hairs and complete a groom that looks good from every angle.

Fig 15) To finish, I scissor the front legs into columns. Don't be afraid to throw caution to the wind and add some spice to your regular clients. Setting patterns is hard the first time, but don't give up! Watch the pattern grow out and then trim again until you've nailed it. &

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

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Pet Release Forms Helping you do your job with a modern, professional look!

GENERAL PET RELEASE FORM Date

Pet Name

MATTED PET RELEASE FORM Pet Name

Date

Your Pet is IMPORTANT to Us!

Your Pet is IMPORTANT to Us! safety Because we care about your pet’s you that and well being, we want to assure your every effort will be made to make pet’s visit as pleasant as possible. Occasionally, grooming can expose e a hidden medical problem or aggravat or after a current one. This can occur during grooming. we request In the best interest of your pet, te veterinary your permission to obtain immedia y. necessar become it treatment should

MOBILE SALON RELEASE FORM

to this grooming establish ment I hereby grant permissio n to treatmen t for my pet at my expense. obtain emergenc y veterinary

Because we care about your pet’s safety and well being, we want to assure you that every effort will be made to make your pet’s visit as pleasant as possible. Because your pet is severely tangled or matted, it is at greater risk of injury, stress and trauma. All precautions will be taken. However, problems occasionally arise, during or after grooming, such as nicks, clipper irritation and mental or physical stress.

CAT GROOMING In the best interest of your pet, we request your permission to obtain immediate veterinary treatment should it become necessary.

RELEASE FORM

I hereby grant permission to this grooming establishment to obtain emergency veterinary treatment for my pet at my expense. Also, realizing that matted pets have a greater chance of injury during grooming, I will not hold this grooming establishment responsible for accident or injury to my pet.

SENIOR PET RELEASE FORM Pet Name

Date

Your Pet is IMPORTANT to Us!

Because we care about your pet’s safety and well being, we want to assure you that every effort will be made to make your senior pet’s visit as pleasant as possible.

Occasionally, grooming can expose a hidden medical problem or aggravate a current one. This can occur during or after grooming.

PET SAFETY

In the best interest of your pet, we request your permission to obtain immediate veterinary treatment should it become necessary. I hereby grant permission to this

RELEASE FORM grooming establishm

ent to obtain emergency veterinary treatment for my pet at my expense. Also, realizing that aged pets have a greater chance of injury during grooming, I will not hold this grooming establishm ent responsib le for accident or injury to my pet.

Owner Name

Owner Name Pet Name

Date

Pet Name Signature

Signature

Your Pet is IMPORTANT to Us!

Your Pet is IMPORTANT to Us! leigh.com safety ns, Inc. • 717.691.3388 • www.bark Because we care about your pet’s you that and well being, we want to assure your every effort will be made to make pet’s visit as pleasant as possible. Please understand that due to the will very nature of being mobile we ent occasionally be late for an appointm control (traffic, accidents, weather, due to circumstances beyond our unavoidable time delays. etc.) and cannot be held liable for a hidden medical problem Occasionally, grooming can expose . can occur during or after grooming or aggravate a current one. This we request your permission to In the best interest of your pet, t should it become necessary. obtain immediate veterinary treatmen #PR-2 © 2016 Barkleigh Productio

grooming establishment to obtain I hereby grant permission to this for my pet at my expense. emergency veterinary treatment

Owner Name Signature

leigh.com

ns, Inc. • 717.691.3388 • www.bark

Date

Because we care about your pet’s safety and well

#MP-2 2016 Barkleigh Productions, Inc. • 717.691.3388 being,©we want to assure you that every effort will be • www.barkleigh.com

made to make your pet’s visit as pleasant as possible. Cats are creatures of habit and when exposed to a new environment they can experience elevated stress levels. In the event that your cat is too stressed to safely continue the groom, all procedures will stop and you will be notified immediately. Occasionally, grooming can expose a hidden medical problem or aggravate a current one. This can occur during or after grooming. In the best interest of your pet, we request your permission to obtain immediate veterinary treatment should it become necessary.

I hereby grant permission to this grooming establishment to obtain emergency veterinary treatment for my pet at my expense. Also, realizing that cats have a greater chance of injury during grooming, I will not hold this grooming establishment responsible for accident or injury to my pet.

Pet Name Signature

Because we care about your pet’s safety, we want to assure you that every precautio

pet. Due to the intimate nature of the grooming process, or a pet’s tolerance level for stress, strangers, or handling, some pets can become anxious or reactive during the grooming service. If we determine that continuing the grooming service would present a threat to your dog’s emotional or physical health, and/or the safety of groomer completing the service, we will discontinue today’s service and contact you immediate ly. We will take every precaution necessary to complete the grooming service safely and humanely including the proper use of common industry safety equipment such as grooming loops, muzzles, and restraints.

I hereby grant permission to this grooming establishment to utilize proper restraints for the health and safety of my pet and my grooming service provider during today’s grooming service. I understand and agree that if the grooming establishm ent deems it unsafe or unhealthy to continue for the pet or the groomer, the grooming establishment will end today’s service and I will be responsible for any services rendered.

Owner Name

Signature

Date

Your Pet is IMPORTANT to Us!

ns, Inc. • 717.691.3388 • www.bark

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info@barkleigh.com (717) 691– 3388

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