Overview of the NDGAA
The National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) was founded in 1969 as a professional membership association of people involved in the pet grooming industry (https://nationaldoggroomers.com/about). Its mission is to unite groomers through membership, promote communication between colleagues, establish grooming standards, and provide resources for professional development.
The NDGAA has over 4,000 members across the United States and abroad. It is structured with a national Board of Directors as well as state and regional directors. There are also various committees focused on rules, contests, membership, and publications.
As the largest non-profit organization for professional pet groomers, the NDGAA aims to advance the grooming industry through education, contests, charity work and by providing a sense of community.
Membership and Certification
The National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) offers different levels of membership and certification for professional dog groomers and enthusiasts. Membership levels include Registered Membership, Certified Membership, Judges Membership, and Student Membership (https://nationaldoggroomers.com/certifications).
The NDGAA certification program provides a credential that signifies professional competency and high standards in dog grooming. Certifications are available for Certified Master Groomer, Certified Pet Stylist, Certified Cat Groomer, and Certified Pet Dog Trainer (https://nationaldoggroomers.com/).
To become NDGAA certified, candidates must meet experience requirements, complete educational courses, and pass written and practical exams. Continuing education is also required to maintain certification. Benefits of certification include recognition, credential verification, inclusion in the online directory, eligibility for insurance, and the ability to become an NDGAA judge or instructor.
NDGAA members receive discounts on events, subscription to Groomer to Groomer magazine, voting rights, entry into grooming contests, and can participate in educational workshops. Membership dues help support initiatives to raise industry standards and recognition for professional groomers.
Conferences and Events
The NDGAA hosts several major annual conferences and competitions for dog groomers across the United States. The biggest event is the Fun in the Sun Grooming Competition and Trade Show, held in Orlando, Florida each year (https://nationaldoggroomers.com/events). This multi-day event features grooming contests, educational seminars, vendor booths, and networking opportunities. In 2022, Fun in the Sun hosted over 4,000 attendees and over 80 vendor booths.
Other major events include the All American Grooming Show and the Groom Expo, both of which offer grooming contests, workshops, and trade show floors. The NDGAA also partners with local grooming schools and salons to host regional competitions and testing events throughout the year where groomers can earn certifications. In July 2022, testing and workshops were held at Heart + Paw in Glen Mills, PA (https://nationaldoggroomers.com/events-glen-mills).
Educational Programs
The NDGAA offers various educational programs and resources to support professional development for dog groomers. Members have access to hands-on workshops, online courses, certification exams, and continuing education opportunities.
The cornerstone of NDGAA’s educational offerings are the in-person workshops held at locations across the United States. These intensive 2-3 day sessions provide both theoretical knowledge and practical training in dog grooming techniques, animal handling, and business operations. Workshops are led by veteran NDGAA-certified groomers. Attending at least one workshop per year is mandatory for members (source).
For members seeking more flexible options, NDGAA has developed online courses in areas like pet first aid, scissoring techniques, and customer management. Students can access video lessons, quizzes, and forums for interacting with instructors and peers. Completing online courses counts toward the annual education requirements.
NDGAA also administers certification exams that allow groomers to demonstrate their proficiency. Members can obtain credentials like Certified Master Groomer, which requires passing skill and written tests. Recertification is necessary every several years through continuing education credits.
Ongoing development opportunities are available through instructional DVDs, books, webinars, and more. NDGAA aims to provide professional groomers with the tools and knowledge to refine their expertise over the course of their careers (source).
Advocacy and Industry Standards
The NDGAA is dedicated to promoting professionalism and high standards in the dog grooming industry. The association actively lobbies for policies and regulations that protect pet safety and animal welfare.
According to the NDGAA’s website, the association works to “upgrade and standardize the dog grooming industry through advocacy and education” (https://nationaldoggroomers.com/). This includes developing professional codes of ethics, best practice guidelines, and credentialing programs.
The NDGAA partners with lawmakers, regulators, and other industry groups to advocate for policies such as increased oversight of grooming facilities and mandatory certification/licensing for groomers. They promote legislation to improve working conditions and require proper training in areas like safety, hygiene, and animal handling.
By setting rigorous curriculum standards and testing requirements, the NDGAA certification program aims to ensure groomers possess the skills and knowledge to humanely and safely work with dogs. Certification helps professionalize the industry and protects pets from harm.
Through its advocacy and credentialing efforts, the NDGAA promotes higher standards and instills consumer confidence in professional dog groomers.
Publications and Resources
The NDGAA publishes various educational resources to support professional dog groomers and enhance their skills. This includes both print and digital publications that cover topics like styling techniques, business operations, animal health and wellness, and more.
The flagship NDGAA publication is Groomer to Groomer magazine, which has been continuously published since 1978. This monthly trade magazine provides groomers with educational articles, industry news, expert columns, and more. Groomer to Groomer is available to NDGAA members in print and digital editions. Some of the recurring columns include “Creative Styling,” “Health & Care,” and “Success Stories” featuring established grooming professionals (https://nationaldoggroomers.com/).
In addition to the magazine, the NDGAA publishes educational books and DVDs. These cover specialized topics like styling difficult breeds, scissoring techniques, operating a mobile grooming business, and preparing for certification exams. NDGAA members can purchase these resources at a discounted rate. The association also makes many educational materials available for free download through its website, including informational brochures, charts, presentations, and webinars (https://nationaldoggroomers.com/certifications).
For the latest industry information, the NDGAA website and social media channels frequently publish new articles, videos, news updates, and more. Members can also access the “Members Only” portal which contains forums, educational libraries, and other exclusive content.
Grooming Contests
The NDGAA sponsors major competitive grooming events across the United States. The two major competitions are the NDGAA sanctioned grooming competitions and the Creative Styling Competition. The NDGAA sanctioned grooming competitions focus on evaluating contestants on their ability to groom dogs to the breed standard and judging criteria set by NDGAA. This includes properly styling the coat, trimming, and grooming techniques for each breed. There are several competition classes including Sporting, Non-Sporting, Terrier, and All Other Purebreds. The Creative Styling Competition allows groomers to showcase their creative talents through theme-based designs. Categories include Abstract Design, Creative Freestyle, and Fantasy Design. Winners can qualify for the prestigious Groom Team USA to represent the USA at international grooming competitions.
Charity and Community Outreach
The National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) actively engages in charitable and community outreach efforts as part of its mission. The organization provides scholarships and sponsors philanthropic programs that support students pursuing careers in dog grooming and related fields.
The NDGAA offers the Future Groomers Scholarship Program which awards scholarships annually to students enrolled in dog grooming schools and programs across the United States. The scholarships help offset the costs of tuition, books, and supplies for grooming students in need (National Outreach Foundation).
Additionally, the NDGAA partners with animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country. NDGAA members volunteer their time and services to groom shelter dogs pro bono, improving the animals’ chances of being adopted into forever homes (Community Outreach and Charity). The association also donates grooming supplies and equipment to these organizations.
The NDGAA hosts an annual dog grooming competition where proceeds support various dog-related charities and foundations. The competition helps raise thousands of dollars each year for nonprofit groups like animal welfare organizations, humane societies, and no-kill shelters (Community Outreach – Love The Dog!).
Notable Members and Alumni
The NDGAA has many notable members and alumni who have made significant contributions to the dog grooming profession over the years. Some of the most influential include:
Robert D. Reynolds, the founder of the NDGAA. Reynolds established the organization in 1969 with the goal of uniting pet groomers through membership and education (National Dog Groomers Association of America). He served as Executive Director until his passing in 1985.
Colin Taylor, an early leader and past president of the NDGAA. Taylor owned several dog grooming shops in California and helped shape grooming contest rules and breed standards in the 1970s and 80s (NDGAA Membership).
Terriers Peterson, a certified master groomer and judge. Peterson has been an active member for over 40 years, leading educational workshops and speaking at major industry conferences. She is renowned for her expertise grooming terrier breeds.
Yvette Mancini, current President of the NDGAA. Mancini owns a successful chain of grooming salons and is dedicated to advancing groomer education and advocacy (NDGAA).
Jorge Rodriguez, an award-winning competitor. Rodriguez has won Best in Show at multiple NDGAA grooming contests. He operates a grooming school to mentor the next generation.
These individuals exemplify the NDGAA’s commitment to excellence, leadership, and community within the grooming profession.
Impact on the Profession
The National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) has had a significant impact on advancing the dog grooming profession over the years. Founded in 1969, the NDGAA has helped elevate dog grooming from an unregulated trade to a respected profession with national standards and certifications.
One of the most notable ways the NDGAA has advanced dog grooming is through its development of grooming certifications. The NDGAA offers nationally recognized certifications at various levels, including Certified Master Groomer, Certified Pet Stylist, and Certified Pet Groomer (Certifications — NDGAA). These certifications help set a professional standard for the skills and education required to become a qualified dog groomer.
The NDGAA has also helped advance dog grooming techniques and education through its national conferences and educational programs. Annual conferences provide groomers opportunities to learn new skills, connect with peers, and stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and information. The NDGAA also offers online and in-person educational programs on topics like safety, sanitation, scissoring techniques, and creative grooming (Pet and Animal Groomer Career – Health School Guide). These programs help elevate the level of knowledge and artistry within the profession.
Additionally, the NDGAA has helped establish standards and best practices for the dog grooming industry through its advocacy work and publications. This has helped bring more consistency and higher quality to dog grooming businesses and services across the country. Overall, through its certifications, education, advocacy and leadership, the NDGAA has helped drive the professionalization and advancement of dog grooming over the past 50+ years.