Pets and Friends Hucknall launches grooming training

A Hucknall pet store is set to offer “state-of-the-art dog” grooming training in its new salon. Pets and Friends Hucknall, one of the 18 Pets and Friends stores across the midlands, will become the groomer training base for the pet store group, and will now offer iPET Network qualifications to employees and general public. The new, purpose-built Training Centre at Hucknall has been designed specifically to facilitate training sessions. DezynaDog electric grooming tables will be available, ensuring the safety of the dogs, cats and small animals being groomed and allowing easy access for the training team and students. Students will be able to train and qualify in grooming, receive business advice and “turn an interest into a lucrative career”, with courses led by veteran groomer and lead-trainer Kerry Chapman. Chapman, who has been teaching dog grooming since 2019, said: "Grooming is such a rewarding and creative skill set, it is not something that anyone can simply pick up a pair of scissors and just do, so it is wonderful to see students blossoming into amazing stylists on these courses. "The brilliant thing about the iPET Network courses is that learners can work at their own pace, and there is a lot of emphasis on handling and welfare too. The welfare of the animal is at the heart of everything that they do and those are our values too." Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty of the iPET Network, said: "We are so excited to be working with Pets and Friends and the new training school is looking amazing. Dog grooming is a growth industry, with more groomers needed than ever before to service the record number of dogs now living in UK homes. "But for the industry to be one that everyone can trust, it is imperative that groomers get their qualifications. It is brilliant that Pets and Friends takes this responsibility so seriously." Pets and Friends is a pet care specialist, with stores featuring grooming salons across the midlands. Part of the Kennelpak group, with nearly 50 years’ experience in the pet care sector, the group said it “prides itself” on the expertise of its salon and store teams. Claire Bayliss, CEO of KennelPak, said: "We are delighted to have partnered with IPET Network to launch The Grooming Academy, a state-of-the-art training centre in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, giving groomers and those looking for a career change, the opportunity to gain a highly regarded qualification along with the skills they need to groom not just dogs, but a variety of small animals to exacting standards. "This supports Pets and Friends' goal of creating communities of happy, healthy pets and responsible pet parents across the country. There are a number of training courses available that offer flexible hours as well as various payment terms, ensuring our courses are accessible to students of all ages. Our training team have over 20 years’ experience in grooming puppies, dogs, cats and rabbits, and the courses are all tutored by a fully qualified trainer.” The new centre is holding taster sessions for would-be students on 30 June from 3pm until 8pm, and 2 July from 12pm until 6pm.