Karla Sorto
The Perkins Funding Vocational Grant of $13,000 has been awarded to the Pierce College Veterinarian Program, which will help the department launch a pet-grooming class.
“Pierce is the first school to have this program with a certificate of completion,” said Liz White, director of veterinary technology.
The grant would pay for new machinery, grooming equipment and supplies including shampoos and brushes.
“This would be like a pilot program,” White said. “With the money we have just received, we will be able to open up a pet-grooming class.”
Instructor Carolina Martinez has been appointed to teach the grooming class, scheduled to open in January.
Any Pierce student interested in enrolling in the pet-grooming class would be able to. There are no requirements and no need to be in the veterinary program to join the class.
“More than a class, I would like it to become a permanent career ladder,” White said. “I believe this program would be helpful for students who are trying to find a career path.”
The class would be taught at Pierce and would be half lecturing and half hands-on experience.
White said the lectures would teach students about different breeds of dogs, anatomy and diseases.
Students would then be taken to a Los Angeles city shelter to practice grooming on real animals.
Classes would benefit both the students and animals.
White said shelter animals would get a free grooming, which would increase their chances of getting adopted.
“When an animal is cared for, they look friendlier and more adoptable,” said Eileen Smulson, founder of Blankets of Love. “It has been proven that it increases their chances of getting adopted.”
After the first two lectures, White would hope to have a third class that could teach students advanced techniques like grooming poodles.
“If all goes well, I would like to add an orientation for those students who would want to pursue a career and open up their own pet grooming business,” White said. “Pet grooming has alarge opportunity for growth. Nowadays, it’s hard to find a skilled bather or brusher.”
White believes the program will be very popular.
“I love dogs, and to hear about a class that wouldn’t only teach me grooming techniques, but would also give me a certificate upon completion is very refreshing,” said animal-science major Edgar Omar Chavez, 20.
The grooming program has been a long effort for White. It has taken her three years to find a proposal that would fit into Pierce.
“It’s a lot of responsibility and I hope students take advantage of this program,” she said.
Homeless pets at L.A. City Shelter such as this dog would be groomed for coursework. ()