Check out our latest company news!
Paragon School of Grooming and our parent company, Melissa Verplank Enterprises, are innovators who bring new products and service to market for the grooming community.


Check out our latest company news!
Paragon School of Grooming and our parent company, Melissa Verplank Enterprises, are innovators who bring new products and service to market for the grooming community.
THIS EVENT HAS EXPIRED. SORRY WE MISSED YOU! KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR FUTURE WEBINARS
Grooming has exploded ever since the COVID pandemic hit. Nationwide, pet care facilities are reporting extreme surge in in demand for grooming services that has yet to decline. NOW is the time to re-think Grooming, whether you currently offer the service or not!
Our very own Joe Zuccarello has partnered with National Kennel Sales and Appraisals to bring this virtual learning course about how to add a profitable grooming service to your facility or how to re-structure your existing one to make it easier to manage and again, PROFITABLE! This is an incredible opportunity to learn how to provide Grooming in the right structure and avoid (or stop!) all the headaches typically associated with this service.
If you’re wondering whether to attend or not, consider these questions:
A “YES!” answer to any of these questions is your reason to attend this 3 session course!
SESSION ONE: To Groom or Not to Groom?! Thursday, August 20th
The Revenue Potential for Grooming Services
How to launch
Stopping problems, adding profits
The formula for a profitable grooming business
Key ingredients of success
The impact of grooming on your business during the pandemic
SESSION TWO: Recommending with Conviction Thursday, August 27th
Overcoming the stigma of ’selling’
How to generate 20%, 30%, 40% or more in profits
Selling add-on services to Grooming
SESSION THREE: Profit Power of Grooming Thursday, September 3rd
Staff Roles and Compensation
Methods and rates of groomer compensation
Analyze groomer talents and how to best use them
How to find, and grow, groomers
Well, there IS! And you have the chance to learn how.
*SORRY WE MISSED YOU! KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MORE WEBINAR EVENTS!
The Paragon School of Pet Grooming is excited to announce a new era of educational excellence. We have transitioned to a totally digital learning platform!
Together, with our membership platform, Learn2GroomDogs.com, Paragon will expand online learning resources for professional pet groomers across the globe.
The move is a natural extension for us. In 2008, Paragon introduced our first home study program. In 2018, innovative changes were made to those programs to improve and enhance the learning experience.
Today, students learn online with Paragon’s structured training system. The Paragon team works closely with individuals. Salon owners. And corporate stores. The programs have received impressive reviews. We have helped hundreds of students learn how to groom, while never leaving their hometown.
Established in 2011, Learn2GroomDogs.com has a robust video library. Currently, we have over 1,000 streaming lessons taught by top grooming experts. Whether you are a beginning groomer or a seasoned pro, the library has something for everyone.
The on-campus division of Paragon was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, a difficult decision was made. We have permanently closed our hands-on training center in Jenison, Michigan.
We have loved our “face-time” with the West Michigan community. We’ve enjoyed pampering local pups in the training of our talented alumni.
Thanks to Paragon’s rich history, there are plenty of skilled groomers in West Michigan. They are well-equipped to assist clients who frequented the school for their pet’s grooming needs.
According to Joe Zuccarello, Paragon’s Vice President, “By concentrating on our digital platforms, we feel we can best serve today’s learner.”
“Closing the physical campus of the Paragon Pet School is bittersweet. It has been the foundation – and progression – of our curriculum for 28 years,” said Melissa Verplank, our Founder. “However, the move makes sense. It highlights our commitment to our goals for digital expansion.”
If you are interested in learning how to become a professional pet groomer, we invite you to explore the Paragon Distance Learning Program. Current groomers should watch for opportunities to build your knowledge and grow your skillset through video lessons, virtual short-courses, workshops, and webinars.

Grand Rapids, MI – The Paragon School of Pet Grooming is humbled to be voted #1 in three categories and nominated in a fourth for its contribution to education in the Pet Grooming Industry.
Paragon received top honors for its professional pet grooming training program.
Melissa Verplank’s innovative guidebook took first place in the Grooming Book category. Learn More
Membership-based webinars at Learn2GroomDogs.com were recognized for their excellence. Learn More
The team for the “Hey Joe!” pet professional podcast hosted by Paragon VP Joe Zuccarello was also delighted to receive the acknowledgment of nomination in its inaugural year.
“We live and breathe for the advancement of professional groomer education so we are deeply honored to receive this recognition from our peers in the industry,” said Melissa Verplank, founder of Paragon companies and esteemed author of The Theory of Five and Notes from the Grooming Table.
“Each and every nominee should be proud of the work they’re doing to elevate our profession across North America. We are united in our passion for professionalism.”
Verplank’s own quest for the highest level of professionalism has lead her on a 30-year journey in pet grooming where she’s won numerous national and international awards, including competitor and director status at GroomTeamUSA. She has founded and owned multiple companies, including a fleet of mobile groomers, Whiskers Pet Resort and Spa, the Paragon School of Pet Grooming and its related companies, Learn2GroomDogs.com and White Dog Enterprises. Both her trials and her triumphs as a self-taught groomer have inspired her quest to share knowledge and accelerate professionalism and respect for the pet grooming industry around the world.
“I am so happy to see the grooming community come together in the Pet Grooming Industry Educator Awards to acknowledge the efforts of the many talented people who have taken up the cause,” she said.
We love helping people improve their grooming skills and turning their dreams into reality… There is nothing more inspiring than watching people find their success.
The awards, introduced earlier this year, are determined by crowd-sourced polling within the pet grooming industry. They are designed to recognize fellow industry educators who invest in the lives and livelihood of others.
In addition to the awards in the Grooming School, Book and Webinar categories, Paragon is especially proud of its Learn2GroomDogs.com Training Experts, who independently were voted #1 in the following categories:
London-born Colin Taylor has a long history of being an international super star in the world of professional pet grooming. Colin is certified by the United Kingdom City and Guild plus a Certified Master Groomer in the United States. His accomplishments and influence in the pet industry is beyond impressive. Visit Learn2GroomDogs.com to learn more about Colin.
Lisa Leady is a third-generation groomer, with over 25 years experience. She is also a clinician, speaker, Certified Master Groomer, and Certifier for IPG. She has many Best All Around and Best in Show placements. Lisa is a multiple Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award nominee and was the recipient of the 2003 Congeniality Award. Visit Learn2GroomDogs.com to learn more about Lisa.
Dave is an informative and entertaining seminar speaker, contributing trade columnist and genuine grooming enthusiast. He is Best Shot Products’ sales and marketing Director and has over 25 years of pet industry knowledge and experience. Visit Learn2GroomDogs.com to learn more about Dave.
Professional development is the unifying mission across Paragon’s various educational platforms, including its Online professional groomer programs, it’s publications through White Dog Enterprises, and its membership-based video streaming community at Learn2GroomDogs.com, where groomers can be coached by the best the industry offers.
“We love helping people improve their grooming skills and turning their dreams into reality. We love helping others become more efficient. Become smarter business owners. Become better managers. There is nothing more inspiring than watching people find their success,” said Verplank.
About the Pet Grooming Industry Educator Awards:
For a complete list of nominees and winners, visit: https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixEdAwards/
About The Paragon School of Pet Grooming:
Online School Programs: Visit https://paragonpetschool.com/home-study/
About The Theory of Five:
Visit https://paragonpetschool.com/product/theory-of-5/
About Learn2GroomDogs.com:
Visit: https://www.learn2groomdogs.com/
About “Hey Joe!” A Podcast For Pet Professionals, By Pet Professionals:
Visit: https://paragonpetschool.com/resource-center/podcasts/
Contact Information:
Paragon School of Pet Grooming
Learn2GroomDogs.com
Joe Zuccarello, Vice President
(636) 577-8772
[email protected]