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 service provider 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