Welcome to a holistic, fear-free, positive Dog Grooming experience!

🐾 Home Grooming Tips & Heartfelt Insights...

About your Groomer…

I am a holistic, positive dog groomer, fear-free practitioner, and educator with a strong background in community services and wellbeing. I am a registered teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), hold a current Police Check and Working With Children Check, and bring over 20 years of experience across community development, aged care, mental health, and family services.

Since 2015, I have owned and operated my own dog grooming business which started as a hobby/passion and organically developed to what it is today, and still morphing... This took place while grooming from home alongside to working within a variety of professional salon environments.

My practice is grounded in fear-free, one-on-one grooming and operates under the Codes of Ethics of International Professional Groomers, Inc., with a clear philosophy of “humanity over vanity.”

I hold academic tertiary qualifications such as Bachelor of Arts Honours degree, Diploma in Education and Post Graduate Studies and have completed extensive professional training in animal care and grooming through Dog Diversity, RSPCA, A Touch of Class Dog Grooming School, and the Dog Grooming Academy Melbourne. I am committed to continuous professional development and regularly undertake advanced education through iGroomHub, Melanie Newman, and other industry leaders.

I am deeply dedicated to providing outstanding, individualised care for dogs.

My holistic approach extends beyond grooming to include enrichment, connection, nutrition, behaviour support, and the use of natural products — all with the goal of supporting overall wellbeing and emotional safety.

As a pet parent myself, having had seven dogs, my passion lies in working with dogs while engaging and educating the community, particularly in the areas of animal handling, fear-free grooming, human–animal relationships, and mental health enhancement. For me, grooming is a process of engagement, understanding, and transformation — not only for the dog and their coat, but also for the owner and myself. Each grooming journey begins with a challenge and evolves through compassionate, informed change.

This philosophy underpins the workshops I facilitate for dog parents, as I strongly believe education is key to building happy, healthy, and respectful relationships between pets and their humans. I trust that our engagement supports deeper connection, healing, and shared wellbeing.

My broader interest focuses on the powerful role companion animals play in enhancing mental and physical health, strengthening relationships, and contributing positively to inclusive, connected communities — particularly among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

My business fully complies with all Victorian Codes of Practice relating to dogs, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, and the Domestic Animals Act 1994. I am a proud member of the Pet Industry Association of Australia Ltd.

✂️ Dog Grooming Tips for Dog Owners—From One Pawrent to Another

Believe it or not, I haven’t always been a professional dog groomer. But I’ve been surrounded by animals my entire life. I still remember brushing my German shepherd as a kid, and constantly bringing home frogs, fish, rabbits, cats, turtles, birds, and hamsters. Animals have always been my world.

My career began in journalism and education, and I’ve worked in community services since the 1990s as a Community Engagement and Capacity Building Officer. In 2015, I started my own dog grooming business—initially as a hobby, but it quickly grew into a passion-driven profession. I owe much of this journey to Olaf, my toy poodle and seventh dog, who inspired me to take the leap.

🧠 More Than Grooming—It’s About Connection

My work is rooted in social justice, education, and advocacy. I support special-needs groups and champion individuals impacted by stigma. I’m deeply interested in how pets—especially dogs—enhance our mental and physical wellbeing and enrich our communities.

I’m passionate about building inclusive, connected communities. I help older adults and people with disabilities from culturally diverse backgrounds access social, recreational, and civic life across Melbourne. My background in community development, education, and engagement informs everything I do.

👩‍🏫 Credentials & Community Commitment

• Registered teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching

• Up-to-date police and Working With Children checks

• Extensive experience in academic and community settings

• Skilled in communication, project management, and inclusive practice

• Advocate for culturally responsive services and inter-agency collaboration

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💬 Grooming as a Journey of Transformation

To me, grooming is more than a haircut—it’s a process of engagement, understanding, and transformation. It’s about building trust with both the dog and their human. That’s why I provide updates throughout the grooming process (photos and videos), and prioritize open communication and consultation.

I also facilitate workshops for dog pawrents, because I believe education is the key to a joyful, lasting bond between pets and their people. Through this blog and my practice, I hope to deepen that connection and bring healing, happiness, and harmony to your lives.