| LaBest Academy of Animal Arts |
| Copyright ©1993, LaBest Inc |
| Jennifer |
| Michelle |
| Kim |
| Tasha |
| I use to envy the person that would say, “I’m doing something I love!” Besides God and my family, I just love my cocker spaniels! I came from a large family, my mother and father were hard workers. They taught me to work hard and I would succeed in life no matter what? But my hard work came to a halt last December and I was laid off. But now I think it was for a good reason. It gave me a chance to flash back and look to the future as to what and where I want to be. What I love doing most! So now here at LaBest Academy I can say, “I’ m doing something I love!” Ginger Lankford |
| I chose LaBest Academy of Animal Arts as an educational tool to kick start my career as a salon owner / pet groomer. I researched several pet grooming schools over the internet and LaBest offered everything I was looking for. As a future first- time business owner, I was looking for a facility that could not only train me as a pet stylist, but that could also assist me in setting up my business as well. LaBest’s program also offered a few extra perks that I just couldn’t pass up!! The program included training and certification as a Dermatech Specialist and one-on –one instruction from one of the best animal behavioral specialist in the nation. One of my goals is to be able to educate my clients on the importance of constant care of their pets and be able to advise them of ways to keep their pet healthier and happier for years to come. I believe our pets deserve all the love we can give them and what better way to show that love than to give them quality of life. After touring LaBest’s facility, I knew their goals were a match to mine! It’s all about the animals at LaBest and as a pet owner; I can tell you that if you find that quality in a pet care facility it’s RARE!! I’m excited about my future as a pet stylist and I know I’m getting the most well rounded education offered in the pet styling industry. Do your homework…. And you’ll choose LaBest too!!! Sincerely, Sharon Raney Jay, OK |
| Sharon |
| For as long as I can remember, I have loved dogs and don’t know how I could have made it through my life’s greatest crisis’s or celebrated my greatest triumphs without my four-legged best friends. As I grew up and became an adult, I tried to walk in paths without my dogs- I studied to become a teacher and a respiratory therapist, but I was not happy. During this time I was working part time at a doggie daycare. The beautiful work the groomer did drew me to the grooming room. Being a great admirer of her work, I began watching and then helping her bathe so that she would impart to me little jewels of knowledge, how a dog’s utility, however ancient, affected the bone structure or how and why of pulling hair from ears. And when she brought her show Norwich terrier in and showed me how the simple act of removing hair could sculpt beautiful muscles and make a dog into a work of art. I knew that pet styling is what I wanted to do. When she and I parted ways, I told her I would become a groomer. I tried to accomplish this by working in a chain grooming facility, but they taught me nothing of the beauty of styling, and the stylist seemed frustrated and unhappy. I began to research grooming schools and visited several, only to be disappointed. I found a message board full of seasoned groomers and asked, and boy did they answer. The answer was a resounding “Go to Deborah Walker and LaBest” When I visited, I saw that patient, loving beauty of pet styling that I had fallen in love with and knew that Debbie’s expertise would help me reach my goals and discover new ones. I can’t wait to graduate and begin working as a stylist. In the future, I would like to specialize in terriers and cat grooming, open my own pet spa, and become active in showing and grooming show dogs. Maybe even compete in grooming- the sky’s the limit with my LaBest education. Sincerely, Tasha Callas |
| I have known for many years that a career in pet styling was what I wanted to do. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to pursue this dream. In researching the career I found that there were not many options for schooling and I wasn’t sure how to go about the whole thing because I knew nothing about grooming or how to go about opening my own business. Then I came across LaBest Academy of Animal Arts in Edwardsville, IL on the internet and I set up an appointment with Deborah Walker the owner and teacher of the school. When I came to the appointment I realized that there was no better place for me to go because at LaBest I would get a first rate education, hands on experience, and the opportunity to be in a grooming shop so I could learn how to own and operate my own business. I am in my 9th week of school now and I feel that the school has more than met my expectations. The teaching that I am receiving from Deborah Walker is first rate. Deborah has over 30 years of experience and more knowledge in the field than most and this makes her an extraordinary teacher. I have learned so much in the past 9 weeks that I have surprised myself. It is unbelievable to me that I have came this far already. The school and the grooming shop are completely equipped with everything I need including dogs that are here for me to practice with. Also, the “student pet” program that Deborah has set up is a wonderful way for me to get hands on experience with different breeds of dogs and cats. Not only that, but the book work is designed to go along with what I am learning in the grooming shop and that makes everything fall right in to place. So, all of that along with an experienced and knowledgeable teacher makes this a wonderful place to learn. When I graduate I will be a certified ISCC apprentice pet stylist and a Derma Tech specialist. My goal is to open my own mobile pet grooming unit and to eventually get my masters in pet styling. I would never have been this close to accomplishing my goals without Deborah Walker and LaBest. When I graduate I am confident that I will have the knowledge and the skills that I need to go out on my own and operate a successful business in pet styling. I am very excited and I know that I made the right decision coming to this school. Jennifer Gooch Student at LaBest Academy of Animal Arts November 19,2007 |
| I have made many career decisions but, was never happy about my choices. One day I was setting home and thinking about if I would ever find a career that could make me happy and fulfilled. I opened the newspaper and saw an ad about pet grooming. I investigated the different schools on the internet. I called several schools and got a voice mails then I called Labest I immediately spoke to a represenative about the school. I was able set up an appointment to tour the shop and speak with other students. Debra Walker who is the instructor has a wealth of knowledge, from animal behaviorism, to the styling of the pets, to the business aspect of opening your own business. The atmosphere is uplifting and relaxing. Debra is a wonderful instructor and is always understanding, willing to work with you and your schedule. Choosing and becoming a student at Labest Academy of Animal arts was the wisest and the greatest decision that I ever have made. I am now a licensed apprentice pet stylist and an International Society of Canine Cosmetologists Dermatech Specialist (ISCC). I am on my way to owning my mobile pet business. Again this was the best decision of my life. I would recommend Labest Academy Animal Arts to anyone that is interested in entering the pet styling business. Kim Harris |
| Ginger |
| My decision to becoming a pet hair stylist became apparent when my dog Jack had skin problems that were not fixable even though he was taken to several vets in my area. So I search the internet and found LaBest Academy of Animal Arts. As I talk to my family and friends I realized that LaBest was the place to go because of the excellent care and the personalized report card that each and every pet receives on their visits. I set up an appointment for a tour of the school with a school representative. As I walked through the school there seem to be great care and concern for the animal’s welfare. I had an opportunity to speak to the present students which helped me make my final decision. I was so excited about the education that I was about to receive. I found my answer to Jack’s problem through the DermaTech curriculum that was provided in this school program. I enjoyed the experiences and the environment in which my training took place. I would recommend LaBest Academy of Animal Arts School to anyone whom would want the best education that is out there. I have completed my course and have become an ISCC (International society of canine cosmetologists) DermaTech Specialist with my License as an Apprentice Pet Stylist Degree. My future is to open my own grooming salon in my home. Michelle Jones |
