Communi-Groom 2007 Bios

SCOTT WASSERMAN, MPS, Meritus, of San Antonio, Texas, has been grooming for over nineteen years. He is a multiple Best in Show and Best All Around Groomer Award winner, and was Intergroom's International Groomer of the Year 2001. Nominated several times for Judge of the Year, American Groomer of the Year, and Congeniality, Scott won the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for Congeniality in 2001. He was also the U.S. Pet Pro Classic Champion in 1998 and 2002, and was a member of the 1998, 1999, and 2001 GroomTeams. In 1999 He competed for the U.S. in England and Italy, bringing the U.S. Gold medals in his classes in both countries. He was also the Reserve Best in Show winner in Argengroom in Argentina in 1998. Scott is an internationally known judge and speaker, having travelled to England, Italy, France, Spain, Scotland, Argentina, Thailand, Singapore and China. Scott, along with his partner Melissa Sirianni owns Cane' Bella Day Spa ~ A re-treat for Your Pet, in San Antonio, Texas. It is the only ISCC Authorized Skin and Coat Care facility in the U.S. He was recently appointed Contest Manager for the US Pet Pro Classic in Dallas, Texas. Scott has also styled and shown many dogs to their championships including Airedales, Norfolks, Wire Fox, PBGV's, Portuguese Water Dogs, Kerry Blue Terriers and is currently showing and loving a Cairn Terrier.

     I've shown and/or groomed through their championships, Airedale Terriers, Norfolks, Wire Fox, Scotties, Cairns, Kerry Blues, PBGV's, Portuguese Water Dogs, Giant Schnauzers, Bedlingtons, Poodles, French Bulldogs, Newfoundland, Boxers, Bassets, Dobermans, Bull Terriers, Yorkies, and Miniature Pinschers.

Curriculum Vitae

• 1996 - 1999, President, Western Professional Dog Groomers Association
• Multiple first place competitions, Best Groomer in Show and Best All around Stylist
• 1996 - 2004, Member of Groom Team Canada
• 1998 - Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award, International Groomer of the Year
• 1998 - Gold Medal Winner, International Poodle Groomer of the Year. Intergroom, New York
• 1998 - Gold Medal Winner, International Mixed Pure Bred Groomer of the Year. Intergroom New York
• 1998 - Best Canadian Groomer, Intergroom, New York
• 1999 - Best Canadian Groomer, Intergroom, New York
• 1999 - World Champion, Team Canada, Eurogroom, London England
• 1999 - Gold Medal Winner, International Poodle Pairs Competition, Eurogroom, London England
• 1999 - Gold Medal Winner, International Poodle Groomer of the Year. Intergroom, New York
• 1999 - Gold Medal Winner, International Mixed Pure Bred Groomer of the Year. Intergroom New York
• 2000 - Gold Medal Winner, International Mixed Pure Bred Groomer of the Year. Intergroom New York
• 2002 - Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award, International Groomer of the Year
• 2005 - Present Vice President Western Professional Dog Groomers Association
• 2006 - Professional Pet Groomers Association of Manitoba, Best All Around Stylist

• Dr. Doolittle 3
• Air Bud
• Good Boy’s
• Mysterious Ways
• Unleashed (Released as Karate Dog)
• Numerous TV Commercials

The "Dog Show Groomer" – vs. - the "Pet Groomer"
by Sandy Potter

I often hear the above mentioned phrase and am quick to offer my opinion, is there a difference?

Not in my mind and I believe I am more than qualified to answer. I style/groom show dogs of all breeds on a regular basis (Bouvier des Flanders, Miniature/Standard Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Miniature/Standard/Giant Schnauzers etc.) I also style/groom the same "pet stock" breeds on a regular basis. There is no difference to a Professional, whether you refer to yourself as a groomer or a stylist. You’re either a Professional or an amateur.

What I’m getting at is simple; a Miniature Poodle is a Miniature Poodle whether it is about to enter a CKC Sanctioned Dog Show or just go back home. Groom/Style the dog to the standards that are set out by the CKC for that breed.

*The only exception are the tools and techniques used to achieve the profile of the Breed for show purposes, which are readily available for those Groomers/Stylist who want to achieve that profile. And while these techniques are more time consuming there is a Clientele market for it.

I find that a lot of Pet Stylist who do not, or have not had the opportunity to work on show dogs feel intimidated by those who have or currently groom/style show dogs. We all had to start somewhere. Education is the key, attending seminars and listening to those who have the experience you may not have. Accept constructive criticism and move on, I don’t lecture at seminars to belittle people, I lecture and provide demonstrations to help them be the professional that they want to be and that is why they attended the seminar in the first place.

I myself still attend seminars, lecture’s and workshops to keep up to date, continual education keeps us sharp. As good as I like to think I am, I can always improve.

Years ago my husband was the MC at one of our Grooming Shows, the first thing he did was to address all of the attendees and inform them that whether they were here to watch, compete or just listen they were all Winners and Professionals in his mind. He went on to say that by attending, they had publicly acknowledged to themselves and others (whether they realized it or not) that continual education in your field is the key to success.

I personally know some Stylist who are more than happy to work on family pets and make a good living doing so. The family pets they style (Poodles, Wheaton Terriers, Airedales) are all styled to the Breeds standard.

And, some of the same groomers/stylist who only work on family pets compete regularly and place in grooming/styling competitions.

The bottom line is Groom/Style the dog to the standards that are set out by the CKC for that breed. Then you too can feel free to say that there is no difference between a "Dog Show Groomer and a "Pet Groomer".

Sandy Potter, CMG
Animal Haven Grooming
Chilliwack, BC

VALERIE WESTON

Valerie has been a Professional Dog Groomer for over 30 years, she is a Certified Master Groomer and Certifier with International Professional Groomers Inc. Valerie has covered all aspects of the industry, Speaking, Demonstrating, Competing as well as Judging. In competition she has won at some very prestigious shows , such as, Intergroom, Chicago All American, National Capital Dog Groomers Ass.,Ontario Dog Groomers Ass. She has won over 100 first placements, many Best Groomed Dog In Show and Best All Around Groomer.

One of her high lights, was to win with her own Bichon at Intergroom 2004 under Loretta Marchesie, Bichon breeder and winner herself of the Oster Invitational 2004. Valerie was one of the founding members of Groom Team Canada and won silver at our first ever team event. In 2003 she won ODGA’s Grooming Personality Of The Year award. Valerie has been involved in Dog breeding and showing, starting with Lhasa Apso’s in 1978 and moving on to Bichon’s and Tibetan Terrier’s in the 90’s, she has finished over 50 champions under the prefix “Aslan” permanently registered. Winning every award up to Best in Show.

In 2002 Valerie opened Simply The Best Dog Gone Salon, in upscale Yorkville, Toronto. Simply The Best employs graduates of the Toronto School of Dog Grooming, these Japanese students serve six months apprentiship with us and then return home to Japan, where they continue in Dog Grooming.

Monique Graboski

Local businesswoman and owner of three Havanese. Became interested in showing dogs 3 years ago. Finished her first dog in less than two months and has decided to become a breeder of Havanese Dogs.

Has a busy life as a Marriage Commissioner for the Province of Manitoba and also is a member of the Board of Directors for the Women’s Health Research Foundation of Canada. Loves to travel with husband, Reg and enjoys family get togethers with their three children and two grandchildren as well as all their fur’ kids.

• the dance of conflict
• the kinds of issues that cause conflicts
• what happens when you become ‘hooked’ into the conflict
• how to disengage or become ‘unhooked’
• and, answer any questions you may have about conflict in your life.

Skills learned can be used in your professional life as well as in your personal life.

Consider attending one of Allan's Nutrition and Wellness Seminars; you owe it to yourself!

DR. GLENN BAILEY B.Sc., D.C.

Dr. Bailey was born and raised in Pinawa, Manitoba. All his life his burning desire was to have a dog.

Time past and he grew older and graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1993. In 1997 he got his first dog, “Shale” a black lab. This introduced him to the zany world of the show ring.

Knowing how important the nervous system is in relation to form and function in the human body, Dr. Bailey quickly recognized that the same would apply for the canine conformation as well. Wanting to optimize “Shale’s” full potential, in 1999 Dr. Bailey became the only Chiropractor in Manitoba to be certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. It was not to long after that, “Shale” began to make his mark in the ring, and was ranked 6th in Canada in 2001.

Dr. Bailey has been improving the lives of animals and their owners for over 9 years. Every Tuesday afternoon is known as “Doggy Day” at Waverley Chiropractic Centre.