Profession animal groomer

Animal groomers are in charge of grooming a range of animals, using the correct equipment, materials and methods. It includes use of appropriate and safe handling techniques and the promotion of good hygiene, health and welfare of the animal. 

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Social
• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Investigative
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Signs of animal illness

  Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.

• Animal welfare legislation

  The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.

• Animal welfare

  Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

• Biosecurity related to animals

  Awareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.

• Anatomy of animals

  The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.

• Physiology of animals

  The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.

• Animal species

  The characteristics of different species and breeds of animals (relevant to the occupation).

• Animal behaviour

  The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.

• Safe work practices in a veterinary setting

  Safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and working environment.

Skills

• Dry dog's coat for further treatment

  Dry a dog’s coat and skin and prepare it for styling and finishing, using the appropriate equipment and products.

• Monitor the welfare of animals

  Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.

• Provide first aid to animals

  Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid provided by a veterinarian. Non-veterinarians providing emergency treatment are expected to seek treatment by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Treat animals ethically

  Carry out activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong, including transparency in work practices and conduct towards clients and their animals.

• Bathe dogs

  Prepare dog by removing excess hair, knots and tangles. Bathe and clean a dog’s coat and skin.

• Handle customer complaints

  Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.

• Manage animal hygiene

  Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.

• Style a dog's coat

  Style and finish a dog's coat using various trimming methods. Make sure to follow the standards for how different breeds should look.

• Handle veterinary emergencies

  Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.

• Provide facilities for animal grooming services

  Provide appropriate facilities for animal grooming services. This includes selection of the types of equipment and ensuring hygiene and bio-security standards.

• Manage animal biosecurity

  Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.

• Advise on animal welfare

  Prepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be reduced. Provide recommendations for corrective actions.

• Control animal movement

  Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.

• Plan dog grooming work

  Assess customer wishes and plan dog grooming work;. Assess the dog's head shape and its type of coat, recognising signs of abnormalities, and select the appropriate methods and equipment.

• Groom animals

  Prepare the environment for grooming, select the correct grooming equipment and grooming methods for the animal. Apply occupational health and safety principles of basic animal anatomy and physiology, including the identification and reporting of any abnormalities.

• Apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting

  Apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and work environments.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB