East Coast Grooming School
Student Handbook
2011
34 Savannah Hwy.
Beaufort, SC 29906
Phone: 843-592-2275
Tara Farmer
Instructor/Owner
Manager/Owner
Statement of Purpose: To produce successful, competent pet groomers.
Dear Students,
We at East Coast Grooming School want to welcome and congratulate you on your decision to become a pet groomer. It is our hope that you find this program to be one of the best in the industry of groomers. We take great pride in our mission to prepare you for a career that has endless possibilities. Our groomer has 17 years experience and will provide you with demonstrations and hands-on experience as you complete your coursework. These demonstrations also show you breed specific styling. As a Student at East Coast Grooming School you have the full support of all staff to help you in any way possible.
Good Luck, have fun while learning!
-Tara Farmer
Owner/Grooming Instructor
About East Coast Grooming School:
East Coast Grooming School is an open enrollment facility.
There are no admission requirements. Students under 18 must have parent permission.
-Physical Facilities (including mobile):
East Coast Grooming School is located at 34 Savannah Highway in Beaufort, SC. Our facility provides many animal related services including daycare, boarding, and in house as well as mobile grooming. From I-95 take Exit 8 to Hwy 278. Follow 278 towards Hilton Head/Bluffton. Turn left onto Hwy 170. After crossing over the Broad River Bridge, take right onto Hwy 802 (Savannah Hwy). Our facility is on the left hand side of the road.
-Fees and Tuition:
Total tuition and fees$4,600.00
Registration Fee$300.00
Deposit for Books and Starter Kit$700.00
(Clippers, scissors, brush, comb, blades)
Balance$3,600.00
-Equipment:
All equipment in East Coast Grooming School will meet the standards of the NDGAA and instructors. Some of this includes tubs, clippers, dryers, and crates. The pet products are very important, and therefore we use the best offered in the industry, EQYSS.
-Application Process:
Prospective students must contact East Coast Grooming School at843-592-2275 and fill out an application either in person, fax, or mail. The application and registration fee of $300.00 must be received on or before a set appointment for the student/instructor interview. The application fee is requires to insure the students space and starter kit for school. Student spaces are limited and must be applied for in advance. All students are required to have proof of a current tetanus shot with application.
-Complaints:
Complaints must be written and submitted to the instructor. You may also contact South Carolina Commission of High Education.
-Job Placement:
East Coast Grooming School makes no guarantee to students in job placement. Individual persons are responsible for their own job search. Also, we do not take responsibility for lack of employment opportunities for students.
-Students Calendar:
Students may elect to have flexible hours but must have met their hour requirement within a 12 month period. Some examples are 40 hours per week for ten weeks or 8 hours a week for 50 weeks. All hours must take place during regular school hours.
-Owner and Operators:
Tara Farmer is the instructor and owner of East Coast Grooming School. She has been grooming for over seventeen years. She also has been the successful owner and manager of a grooming salon, boarding facility, dog daycare, and mobile grooming business. Tara is a member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NGAA) and is an expert in grooming speed and safety. She is also certified in pet CPR and first aid.
Erin Deloach is our feline instructor and expert. She is a 2005 graduate of Barnwell High School, where she received the Lonnie Lang Memorial Scholarship and BB Baxley Scholarship to attend a school of her choice. She chose to attend Nash Academy School of Dog Grooming located in Lexington, Kentucky. Erin has worked with animals for years. Her experience is varied. She has worked at the Barnwell County Animal Shelter, her family’s grooming/boarding facilities, and has high level of cat grooming knowledge and experience.
-Course Requirements:
All students are required to provide proof of a current tetanus shot. They are also asked to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Patience is a must. This will help you perfect many of the difficult, challenging asks that are a necessity in this career choice. If at any time you feel discouraged please consult with a member of our staff and they will be eager to help you.
-Accumulated Hours:
Hours earned at East Coast Grooming School may not transfer to another learning institution.
Hours earned at any previous educational training may not be transferred to East Coast Grooming School.
-Occupational Objectives:
East Coast Grooming School’s mission is to provide each student with confidence, knowledge, and the ability to succeed in the pet grooming industry. We also teach customer relations, marketing and business skills to successfully operate his/her grooming business.
-Certificate Requirements:
After each student successfully completes 400 training hours and has a final grade of 75 or higher on all written examination, he/she will be granted a certificate of completion from East Coast Grooming School. We encourage all students to join the NGAA and attend continued education courses throughout their career.
East Coast Grooming School is licensed by the South Carolina Commission of High Education, 1333 Min Street Suit 200, Columbia, SC 29020, (803)737-2260. Licensure indicates only that minimum standards have been met: it is not equivalent to or synonymous with accreditations by an accreditations agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
-Refunds and Withdrawal:
A full refund will be issued to the student if the student cancels his/her registration within 3 business days or if the applicant is declined for enrollment. East Coast Grooming School will refund a pro rata portion of fees charged, less $100, for the time the student actually attended based on the last data attended, rounded downward to the nearest 10% of that period. This applies in all mitigating circumstances such as serious illness, death in the student’s immediate family, or active duty military service. The institution will make refunds within 40 days after the effective date of cancellation or he last date attended.
-Attendance:
Our hours are flexible. You must present your instructor with your intended schedule on a monthly basis. You will be graded on this for time management, attendance, and tardiness. Scheduling plays a large role in becoming a successful groomer. Rescheduling should always be your last option. As a public serviceprovider you must make every effort to stick to your schedule.
-Tardiness:
Tardiness will not be tolerated. If the student is tardy 3 or more times he/she will be forces to reduce appointments. You cannot learn without appointments.
-Makeup Work:
If a student is unable to complete the required 400 hours within the 12 months allotted time period, he/she will be allowed to makeup the hours. This will be at a cost of $50 per hour or payment of full tuition again, whichever the least of the two options.
-Grading:
68 or less F
69-73 D
74-80 C
81-90 B
91-100 A
Students are expected to perform written and practical tests. Transcripts will be kept on fill for 50 years. Other records (financial, enrollment, etc.) must be kept for 6 years.
-Progress reports will be in the form of a meeting with each student in person o discuss strengths and weaknesses based on the transcripts of the students. Notes of meeting will be applied to the transcript.
-If a student fails 3 written or 3 practical tests, he/she will be put on probation for 30 days. If his/her performance has not improved in 30 days then student will be dropped.
-Class size will be an average of four and no more than six.
-A student may be expelled in the event of:
Theft
Disorderly conduct
Ill treatment of animals
Alcohol or drug related instances
Destruction of property
Cheating
Any student expelled may re-enter the program at the discretion of Tara Farmer.
-Liability:
Students sign a release stating East Coast Grooming is not liable for any misfortune that occur while he student is enrolled in any programs or events.
-Dress code:
Attire will be provided in the student’s kit. Students may be asked to return home if not dressed appropriately. Student’s fingernails must be clipped so that injury will not occur to any of the animals or the student.
Course Topics:
Animal First Aid
Groomer Safety
Pet Safety
Canine Anatomy
Nutrition
Parasites
Customer Interaction
Retail
Kennel Management
Rough Cut
Nail Care
Ear Care
Foot Care
Bathing
Drying
Clipping
Brushing
Scissoring
Hand Stripping and Carding
Mat Removal
7 Groups (Hound, Herding, Toy, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Terrier)
Poodle Styling
Drop Coat
Hands on learning
Feline Styling