Dog lovers now have a unique opportunity awaiting them at Alamance Community College (ACC) with Professional Dog Grooming, a career-training program whose next series of classes begins in January.
ACC’s Professional Dog Grooming is a groundbreaking program designed to set students on a path to success in the rapidly growing pet care industry. Students receive about 30 hours of online instruction and testing, and must complete a minimum of 180 hands-on hours using live dogs at least 95% of the time. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates qualify to take the American Kennel Club's Professional Groomer Credential (AKCPGC) exam to receive a printable certificate that can be displayed and shown to potential employers. Certification is good for five years and graduates can earn additional continuing education credits during that five-year period.
“Our Professional Dog Grooming program begins its third cohort in January 2025 and now is the time to enroll,” said Vicki Rans, Occupational Programs Coordinator at ACC. “The program now has graduated nine students, and all have received their credential, passed their certification exam, and all are working in the industry.”
ACC’s Professional Dog Grooming trains students in essential grooming shop skills, including disinfecting and sanitizing, proper lifting and creating a safe and hygienic work environment. Students will also master the proper use of clippers, blades, and shears. This includes learning techniques for proper bathing, drying and brushing to allow clippers and shears to work properly.
“Grooming can be a physically demanding job that often comes as a surprise to the aspiring student groomer. I feel anyone who has the passion to work with dogs and understands the physical demands of standing and lifting makes a great candidate,” said instructor Kelley Neiderhiser.
Alamance Community College invites the community to discover how this credential-backed education will set a new industry standard, making it an invaluable resource for students, employers, and pet owners alike.
For more information, contact Victoria Rans at 336-506-4322; or register for the course at this link: https://alamance-register.fundfive.com/course/section/13641