Grooming Division

Educational Objective

The objective of our Grooming Division is to create an environment that is conducive to learning the art of professional pet grooming. Through use of a balanced mixture of hands on training, lecture and practical experience students will have the opportunity to gain the skill and confidence to become successful pet stylists.

In addition to providing students with a structured, balanced curriculum, it is the goal of the Grooming Division to instill in their students the motivation to continue their education and to keep abreast of new developments in the industry. Workshops, advanced educational seminars and certification programs that emphasize better education and higher standards can only enhance their professionalism as well as that of the industry as a whole.

Our 28 Week Entrepreneurship Program (16 weeks Dog-Training, and 12 weeks Pet -Grooming)

The 28 Week Pet Entrepreneurship Course is created to give the student a comprehensive education that combines both our 12 Week Basic Groomer and 16 Week Professional Trainer Certifications. Upon completion, graduates will have a broader understanding of animal care. This course is suited for the individual that is interested in Management as well as those planning to own and operate their own pet care business. NOTE: This course includes two 2-hour meetings with our owner, Dr. Paul Schifano to discuss management and business goals. At graduation of this program you will receive our most advanced certification of dog training and dog grooming. This program runs for 140 days (8 hours/ day). And it is open enrollment, meaning that you can start on any Tuesday, and train 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. After you have trained 140 days, you will earn your certifications. Our classroom days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Our 24 Week Entrepreneurship program (12-16 weeks Dog-Training, and 8-12 weeks Pet-Grooming)

The 24 Week Pet Entrepreneurship Course is created to give the student a comprehensive education that combines both our 8 Week Basic Groomer and 12 Week Professional Trainer Certifications. In addition, the student will extend one of these courses an additional 4 weeks to either the 12 Week Basic Groomer or 16 Week Professional Trainer course. Upon completion, graduates will have a broader understanding of animal care. This course is suited for the individual that is interested in Management as well as those planning to own and operate their own pet care business. NOTE: This course includes two 2-hour meetings with our owner, Dr. Paul Schifano to discuss management and business goals.

At graduation of this program you will receive our certification of dog training and dog grooming. This program runs for 120 days (8 hours/ day). And it is open enrollment, meaning that you can start on any Tuesday, and train 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. After you have trained 120 days, you will earn your certifications. Our classroom days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Our 20 Week Entrepreneurship program (12 weeks Dog-Training, and 8 weeks Pet-Grooming)

The 20 Week Pet Entrepreneurship Course is created to give the student a comprehensive education that combines both our 8 Week Basic Grooming and 12 Week Professional Trainer Certifications. Leaders in the pet care profession require a diverse array of skills. This course is designed to provide just that. Upon completion, graduates will have a broader understanding of animal care. This course is suited for the individual that is interested in Management within the pet care industry.

At graduation of this program you will receive our certification of dog training and dog grooming. This program runs for 100 days (8 hours/ day). And it is open enrollment, meaning that you can start on any Tuesday, and train 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. After you have trained 100 days, you will earn your certifications. Our classroom days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Our 12 Week Basic Groomer Program

Our 12 Week Basic Groomer program is a 4 week extension of our 8-week Basic Groomer course. It is designed to take an inexperienced individual and develop their pet grooming skills to a level allowing them to enter the pet grooming workforce. Like in the Basic Groomer course, the graduate will have rudimentary grooming skills yet we have had many students graduate telling us that they would have enjoyed the opportunity to learn more. There are many different breeds of dogs. This course will give a graduate the opportunity to learn to groom additional breeds of dog as well as fine tune their basic grooming skills.

This program runs for 60 days (8 hours/ day). And it is open enrollment, meaning that you can start on any Tuesday, and train 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. After you have trained 60 days, you will earn your certification. Our classroom days are Tuesday 8-4, Wednesday 8-4, Thursday 8-4, Friday 8-4 and Saturday 8-4.

Our 8 Week Basic Groomer Program

Our 8 Week Basic Groomer program is designed to take an inexperienced individual and develop their pet grooming skills to a level allowing them to enter the pet grooming workforce. Upon completion, the graduate will have rudimentary grooming skills. Much of the financial success of pet grooming comes from developing a fast pace of quality grooming. Upon completion it is likely that a graduate's speed will need to improve before a graduate's income is maximal. In this course, it is our expectation that graduates have enough education to step into the workforce and earn income as they fine tune their skills as opposed to paying additional tuition at The Petropolis Academy.

This program runs for 40 days (8 hours/ day). And it is open enrollment, meaning that you can start on any Tuesday, and train 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. After you have trained 40 days, you will earn your certification. Our classroom days are Tuesday 8-4, Wednesday 8-4, Thursday 8-4, Friday 8-4 and Saturday 8-4.

Our 4 Week Groomer Plus Program

Our 4 Week Groomer Plus program is available for individuals that already have experience in the pet grooming field. This course is designed to expand an experienced groomer's education. The course can be taken immediately after completion of our Basic Groomer course. Doing so, this course will assist in the transitional phase from school to work force. The course will be designed to build a student's confidence and fine tune their skills.

Additionally, this course can be designed to educate those with years of working experience. Doing so, this course will be customized to focus on assessed student weaknesses along with identified student interests to improve the student's overall grooming skill.

This program runs for 20 days (8 hours/ day). And it is open enrollment, meaning that you can start on any Tuesday, and train 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. After you have trained 20 days, you will earn your certification. Our classroom days are Tuesday 8-4, Wednesday 8-4, Thursday 8-4, Friday 8-4 and Saturday 8-4.

Our 14 day Bather/ Brusher program

Bather/brushers are a critical part of the pet grooming workforce. Our 14 Day Bather/Brusher course is designed to take an inexperienced individual and develop their bather/brusher skills to a level necessary to find employment as a Bather/Brusher.

This program runs for 14 days (8 hours/day). And it is open enrollment, meaning that you can start on any Tuesday, and train 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. After you have trained 14 days, you will earn certification. Our classroom days are Tuesday 9-6, Wednesday 10-9, Thursday 10-6, Friday 9-6 and Saturday 9-12.

Meet Your Instructors

Janice Starns - Academy Instructor

Jan graduated from the Petropolis Academy in 2001. Jan has been an instructor in the Academy since 2003. She holds an  A.A.S. degree from St. Louis Community College. Jan is a member of the ISCC (International Society of Canine Cosmetologists) and holds a certificate of completion in Pet First Aid from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross. Jan attended the US Pet Pro Classic Pet Styling Show in Dallas, Texas, in 2004.

Bradi Westfall - Salon Manager, Academy Instructor

Bradi graduated in 2003 from the Petropolis Academy. She has been an instructor in dance since 1990. She holds a certificate in administration from Southeastern Community College. Bradi is a member of ISCC (International Society of Canine Cosmetologists) and holds a certificate of completion in Pet First Aid from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Mandy Seay - Academy Instructor

Mandy graduated in 2005 from the Petropolis Academy of Grooming. She has worked with animals since 2001 and has been a certified Pet Care Technician since 2005. Mandy is a member of ISCC (International Society of Canine Cosmetologists) and holds a certificate of completion in Pet First Aid from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross. In her free time Mandy volunteers at the Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center. Mandy is currently testing for DermaTech licensing through ISCC.

Testimonials

“My greatest passion in life has always been animals. So it was a natural progression to become a qualified groomer. I researched my options and decided on the Petropolis Academy of Grooming and Training.

My time spent there was awesome. Oh, it was hard work, but very rewarding. The Staff and teachers were welcoming and knowledgeable. I always felt that I fit in from the first day until the last.

Having become a successful groomer, I have now realized many things about the academy. The teachers taught me all I needed to know. The equipment I received was more than adequate. The facilities at Petropolis Academy of Grooming and Training were top notch. All these things enabled me to find a job immediately and become a successful dog, cat and sometimes bunny, groomer. DO IT!!!”

Sincerely,
Marie Wiesner
Class of October 2002

"Hey everybody, my name is Shannon and I have to tell you about my experience at Petropolis, as a student. I had already been grooming for about 6 ½ months, but had no certificate. I did my research and Petropolis was the best so I started January 19, 2009. The first week I was shown the basics of the salon it was so exciting because I learned something new every day. My teachers Mandy, Jan, Bradi were there for me answering questions showing me new haircuts all about shampoos, everything that I didn't know. My speed has increased my haircuts are a thousand times better, I'm more confident today then every and I just want to encourage you today if your reading this please give Petropolis a call you'll be so glad you did. Thank you everybody at Petropolis."

Shannon G'Sell