Events

Celebrity Pet Groomer.

On 28 June 2012, Ms Annie Goh, teacher at House Of Groomers Academy & Pet Salon was invited and featured in Ntv 7 Bella ‘Live’ show assisted by House Of Groomers’ assistant manager Ms Ashley Liew. The show was about cat grooming and the show was hosted by celebrity TV host and actress, Ms Daphne Iking.

Annie and Ashley, the double A’s demonstrated ways to groom a cat. The producer of the show was very satisfied with the demonstration and the show was interesting and well received.

We would like to congratulate House Of Groomers on the fabulous work they put on national TV and continue to promote the pet grooming profession. Please keep up the good work and you are indeed the leader in the pet grooming industry.

On August 31 and 1 September 2011, for two day I went on my school trip to the OutBac, Broga Hills, Semenyih. I was told that this was House of Groomers Academy second team building trip. To be completely honest, a few days before the trip, I wanted to back out and find an excuse not to go. This was because I wasn’t very familiar with some of the places and people in Malaysia and I didn’t want to feel foolish not knowing much about the trip. However, whatever my feelings toward the trip before were certainly not how I felt afterward. Going to the Broga Hills with my school, truly brought us all closer together as a group and promoted closer ties between us and I learned the importance of team building.

We departed from our school at Subang Jaya early in the morning with a large chartered bus. It took us about 2 hours to arrive at the OutBac, Broga Hill, Semenyih. The staff of House of Groomers put together a selective group of team building activities. One of which was the Leap of Faith, where we had to climb a rather large, tall tree and jump off a platform and grab a bar (while of course being harnessed). For me, being scared of heights, this was a challenge but I was reassured by my classmates cheering me on from down below. Next was the Flying Fox, it was a scary experience to jump from 100 feet above ground and glide through 500 feet across a lake and arriving at the other end of the ground. We also enjoyed kayaking and some of us went to ‘war’ with our paddles. After a day of activities, we had barbeque for dinner. After barbeque, we were entertained with the OutBac group’s performance. The next morning, one of the other activities laid out for us was the Broga Hill hike at 5:30am, I was not too keen on waking up that early, but it was good to see all my classmates helping each other on the way up to the hill. The climb was tough and the track to the top was steep, slippery and exhausting. When we finally reached the top, of course we were tired, yet we still have enough energy to get up and explore and take photos together. We managed to catch the early sun and the sunrise was captivating.

The tasks that were selected really made us face our fears and helped us get that overall feeling of accomplishment, when each task was completed. Although our trip was only two days, it truthfully made a difference. Overall I’m very happy how the trip went, especially now that I feel a lot closer with my fellow classmates. Not to mention that I feel much more comfortable fitting in at my school, knowing that after that trip, we all know more about each other. I am happy to be a part of the family of House Of Groomers Academy and this team building trip has benefitted me tremendously. This wonderfully experience will be forever remembered and brought back to Australia when I finished my grooming course here. Thank you House of Groomers Academy, you truly made a difference!

Erin Maybee,
Gold Coast, Australia.

From waking up early to prepare breakfast, put in a first load of laundry to working all day and driving children all afternoon, most of us have little time to think about volunteering for community projects. But busy schedules do not mean we have to write off community involvement completely. The world would be a better place if everyone were to take time off to assist and lend a hand to the less fortunate and those who need special help.

On the 16 September 2011, the Calvary Centre For Independent Living Skills “Cavalryland”, an integrated social care centre that house and teaches teenagers with special needs and learning difficulties forged a special friendship with House Of Groomers Academy. Calvaryland was officially open in early 2011, it is a centre that caters to children and teenagers with special needs and prepares them so that they are able to live among the society and become responsible citizens. Their disabilities included Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and slow learners. People with learning difficulties face a lot of discrimination and most are unwilling to employ them. In reality, they can be train and be as good a worker, all they need is opportunities from the society.

At House Of Groomers Academy, one of the tenets of being a responsible groomer is to serve and assist charitable and welfare organisations. House Of Groomers introduced pet grooming to the special kids and provided an insight to the life of groomers who lives were dedicated to work with animals. The teenagers from the Cavalryland were introduced to dog grooming and other related activities. The children were thrilled and excited to learn about dog grooming, despite their special needs, they were keen learners. They were treated with refreshments, videos of dog breeds, introduction to dog grooming and learning dog handling and behavior. Students and teachers of House of Groomers Academy were friendly and make sure the special children were provided with special care and attention. The children enjoyed their moments and requested to learn more at House Of Groomers on their school breaks.

More organisations should emulate House Of Groomers Academy in taking time to introduce their professional and specialised skills to the needy and take time off to give back to the society no matter how big or small the contribution may be.

There are different kinds of pet groomers in the world. One kind is the type who would embrace the career with foresight and advancement. A second is an artist, who puts creativity on the forefront of this career. Either way, if one is dedicated and endlessly seeking to improve, he/she is set on the path to success. In this career, you are what you groom and vice versa.

Proudly, for the very first time, House of Groomers Academy Malaysia led by its president, Mr. Gan Wee Yet was able to invite two most knowledgeable teachers and certifiers the world can offer, Ms Nancy Han Kallenbach and Ms Tomoko Hirokawa, to test and certify a number of NCMGs, certify groomers and conduct a terrier seminar at House Of Groomers Academy Malaysia. This cements a new era of working relationship between countries in the Far East in particular House Of Groomers Academy Malaysia with NDGAA America. This sets a new height on transfer of skills and knowledge. It was a small step for the organizers but a giant leap for the international grooming industry.

It was a pleasure to have Ms Nancy Han Kallenbach’s bubbly and helpful character and Ms Tomoko Hirokawa’s strict but yet precise nature to conduct the testing and seminar in Malaysia. Both the certifiers gave the students and teachers of House Of Groomers Academy a new insight to this career and also what is to behold in the future of this career. Both Nancy and Tomoko presented well with their grooming skills, vast knowledge, career acumen and both were excellent representatives of NDGAA. Staff, students and teachers of House Of Groomers Academy appreciate the knowledge, kindness and experience shared by both the certifiers. Ms Nancy and Tomoko were given VIP treatment from start till the end and the relationship established from both sides have been strong, beneficial and very positive. Looking forward, this will be a formidable pet grooming “marriage” the world can reckon with!

In the pursuit of excellence with strong desire for advancement, Mr. Gan Wee Yet, the founder of House Of Groomers Academy Malaysia, has in many ways did what most would think impossible. With an encyclopedia depicting Malaysian people still living on trees, this small country unknown to some, has once own the tallest building in the world. Though the Malaysian pet industry is relatively small, it has a good number of pet groomers. Most groomers are self trained and even more learn from unknown sources. Mr. Gan hopes that one day, all practices can be standardized and abide by a set of common code of ethics. He has brought Malaysian groomers to the world stage, competing in America, Europe and other parts of the world; with himself as an international grooming judge, established Malaysian Pet Groomers Association and now, made a breakthrough with NDGAA certification outside America. House Of Groomers Academy Malaysia is the first school successfully invited NDGAA certifiers to certify its groomers outside the American continent. It is in Mr. Gan’s hope that with this breakthrough, more countries will start to rope in NDGAA certifiers to test groomers and thus creating a standardize grooming practice throughout the world.

Last but not least, House Of Groomers Academy Malaysia would like to extend a big THANK YOU to Ms Nancy Han Kallenbach and Ms Tomoko Hirokawa for their world class skills and knowledge, Jeff and Mary Ann Reynolds for bringing NDGAA to Malaysia and Peggy Harris for her effort in ensuring all well ends well. Thank you from Malaysia.