Questions, answered.
The three groups we work with ask different questions — here are the ones that come up most, from each of them.
Before you refer.
If your question is not here, send it through the enquiry form — it is answered before anything is agreed.
How can I know my employee is suitable for the program?
Start with an email. We reply with a few questions, and if the fit looks right we arrange a short interview or an assessment with the groomer — enough for both sides to know whether the program is the right next step.
We already have a groomer who does special care. Do we still need the program?
We are glad the team already handles these dogs. What is often missing is not the skill but the procedure — a written SOP for identifying a special care case, planning it, and knowing when to stop — and a shared understanding between the groomer, the nurses and the vet about how to support each other. If that is where your clinic is, come to us for advice rather than training.
Is the training a recognised qualification?
It is the Filicious Pet Professional standard, and our own assessment. Pet grooming has no single industry standard in Australia, so there has never been an agreed definition of a special care dog — we set our own. It is not a government-accredited qualification, and we do not describe it as one. Your groomers finish with a completed program and a documented standard operating procedure your clinic can use.
How much clinic time does the training take?
There is a standard program, adjusted at the consultation stage to fit your clinic — the cases you see, the size of your team, and how much of the work you want to keep in-house. The outline sets out the shape; the detail is agreed with you.
We already have a groomer. Why would we need this?
Standard grooming training does not fully prepare a groomer for dogs who cannot stand, cannot settle, or are recovering from surgery. Special care is a separate service: it asks for more technique, more planning and more judgement than a routine groom, and it is priced as its own service. The program builds on the skills your groomer already has rather than replacing them, and leaves the capability inside your clinic.
Before you apply.
If your question is not here, send it through the enquiry form — it is answered before anything is agreed.
Do I need experience before joining the program?
Yes — basic grooming skills first, and we recommend at least three years working as a groomer. This is not a beginner’s course. Every applicant is assessed and interviewed before the program, so we can confirm it is the right level.
Is this a recognised qualification?
It is our own assessment, and we say so plainly: it is not a government-accredited qualification. Pet grooming has no single industry standard in Australia, so there has never been an agreed definition of a special care dog — we set our own, and assess against it.
What this program teaches is the work itself — the handling: how a dog is lifted, supported and positioned, how pain and stress are read, how a session is planned around them, and where it stops. You finish with a certificate from us confirming you completed the program.
The procedure for running a whole special care service — how a case is identified, booked, recorded and handed back — is the program for veterinary clinics, not this one.
Can I take special care dogs in my own salon afterwards?
Yes. The skills are not clinic-exclusive — if you are confident to take a case on, you can. Knowing when not to is part of what the program teaches. If you own a salon or run your own business, mention it when you enquire, so we can tell you how the program fits.
Do you refer work to me?
It depends on how you perform on the program. Groomers we are satisfied with go on our referral list, and we pass suitable cases their way — to veterinary clinics and to grooming salons — with a reference letter from us.
How much does the program cost?
Fees and the next intake are set out in the program outline. Request it and we will send the current details.
Before you book.
If your question is not here, send it through the consultation form — it is answered before anything is booked.
Will grooming hurt my dog?
The assessment exists so that it does not have to. We note where your dog is sore, and what to avoid, and the written plan leaves out anything that would cause pain. If your dog shows discomfort mid-session, we stop. We would rather leave part of the groom undone than push through it.
My dog has been turned away by other salons. Does that matter?
Usually it is the reason to come to us, not a reason to worry. A dog is turned away when a standard appointment cannot fit them safely — that is the work this studio is built around. A consultation is how we find out whether we can help.
Do I need to stay during the groom?
For the first consultation, come with your dog. After that, the plan sets out whether your dog does better with you there or without, and we will tell you which.
What if my dog needs sedation?
Full sedation has to happen at a veterinary clinic, with a special care groomer working there. Through a referral we can come to your vet’s clinic to do the groom, though that depends on the clinic. If your dog is on light oral sedation, we can guide you and the groom can still take place in our studio. Either way, every case starts with a consultation and a written plan.
How much does a special care groom cost?
It is priced as a dedicated service, not a standard groom with extra time added. Book a consultation for a quote based on your dog’s plan. The exact price depends on your dog’s assessment and the plan we write.