Animal Grooming Professional

Program Description

Have you always dreamed of a career working with and caring for animals? Academy Canada’s two semester Animal Grooming Professional program may be right for you. This hands-on program will teach students the technical skills needed to either gain employment with an existing company or to start their own business. The program focuses on animal behaviour and dog/cat grooming strategies as well as client relations.

Given the nature of working closely with animals from the beginning of the program onward, students are strongly recommended to get their tetanus immunization at their earliest convenience, no later than the start of their classes.

Please note that due to the nature of this career, employees are required to tolerate regular physical activity during the course of their work day. If you have any medical concerns, please contact your admissions officer to ensure you are aware of the requirements of the occupation and to determine if you are eligible for accommodations in this program.

Program Courses

• Animal Behaviour
• Bookkeeping
• Canine Grooming
• Client Relations
• Feeds and Feeding of Companion Animals
• Grooming Lab
• Grooming the Companion Animal
• Introduction to Computers with Desktop Publishing
• Job Search Skills
• Pet First Aid
• Professional Grooming - Cats
• Skin and Coat Care
• Small Business Management
• Standard First Aid
• WHMIS

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Animal Grooming Professional program, graduates will find employment (depending on specific hiring practices) in veterinary clinics, pet grooming centres, pet stores, or for yourself in your own business.

Work Term Information

Work terms are a required, unpaid, formally arranged on-site training experience completed at the end of the program. The work term provides students with practical, real-world experience that supports skill development, professional confidence, and readiness for employment.

Students are expected to attend according to the host’s schedule and must report any absences to both the host supervisor and the Graduate Employment Coordinator. Missed days are added to the end of the placement. Attendance and performance are monitored through ongoing communication, including check-ins and formal mid-placement and final evaluations. Successful completion of an approved, authorized work term is required for graduation.

Students are responsible for maintaining professional conduct, attending as scheduled, complying with host policies, promptly reporting absences or concerns, and completing all required documentation. The College is responsible for approving placements, providing guidance and support, monitoring progress, and determining successful completion. Work term hosts are responsible for supervision, attendance reporting, providing appropriate learning opportunities, and completing required evaluations. Students who do not who do not meet work term requirements may be removed from their placement and may be required to complete a new placement in order to graduate.