The Meditative Groomer Academy
Get in touch with us at info@meditativegroomer.com
Rooted in Racine, WI – Where passion and education grow
Plant Program
The Plant Program is a continuing education program for those who have already passed the Seed, Seedling, and Sprout Programs or tested out of them. This program will give students the skills to elevate them to Stylist.
Instructors for Plant
Stephenie Calhoun
Stephenie Calhoun is an Autistic and ADHD self-taught groomer with over a decade of experience, proudly serving as the Owner and Head Instructor of The Meditative Groomer Academy. She is also known as one half of the dynamic duo behind 'Grooming on the Spectrum,' a podcast and support group dedicated to empowering neurodivergent pet groomers and their allies.
Stephenie’s leadership and expertise shine through her past roles as Training Manager at Calling All Paws, former Illinois State Grooming Team Captain, and certified Nash Academy instructor. In 2024, she was honored with the prestigious 'Up and Coming Speaker of the Year' award at Barkleigh Honors, further solidifying her influence in the grooming industry. She is also a proud member of the North American Model Dog team.
Based in Racine, Wisconsin, Stephenie lives with her husband John and their beloved pets: a cockapoo named Nibbler, Irish wolfhound mix Addison, two playful cats Chiana and Fry, and a curious turtle. When she’s not grooming or teaching, Stephenie enjoys gardening, painting, and foraging, channeling her passion for creativity and connection into every aspect of her life.
Meg Ioffredo
Meg Ioffredo has been a dedicated pet professional since 2012, starting as a bather in a corporate salon and evolving into a highly accomplished groomer and educator. With a commitment to lifelong learning, Meg holds numerous certifications, including Certified Pet Tech Instructor, Certified Feline Master Groomer, Certified Rabbit Groomer, Certified Canine Esthetician, and Fear Free Certified, among others.
As a partner of The Meditative Groomer Academy, Meg is passionate about giving back to the grooming community, focusing on cat and rabbit grooming education. They are also co-host of the 'Grooming on the Spectrum' podcast, championing neurodivergent groomers, and the owner of 'Meg the Traveling Groomer,' providing expert grooming services to pets and their families.
Meg continues to inspire and educate, sharing their expertise to elevate the industry and support fellow professionals.
Michelle Knowles
With over 34 years of experience as a private and professional pet care provider, Michelle Knowles brings unparalleled expertise to the grooming industry. As the owner of All Things Paw, Michelle is a Certified Master Groomer and Master Pet Aesthetician with a focus on pet skin and coat care, fear and trauma recovery, elderly pets, and managing allergic and dermatological disorders. Her career has taken her across the country, working in salons, kennels, zoos, and veterinary hospitals, as well as training in Tuscany, Italy in therapeutic work, hand stripping, and advanced dermatological care. Michelle is certified through NDGAA and IPG, teaches advanced pet aesthetics at the Whole Pet Grooming Academy, and serves on the Master Groomer Council of Best Practices. A nationally recognized speaker, Michelle continues to lead the way in education and innovation in her field
Melissa Jepson
A popular speaker and Barkleigh Honors Up and Coming Speaker of the Year 2021, as well as a Seminar Speaker of the Year Nominee in 2022, Melissa Jepson brings over two decades of grooming experience to the industry. Since 2013, she has owned and operated the award-winning Pupscale Pet Salon in Montclair, California. As a founding member of the Association of Holistic Pet Professionals, Melissa is dedicated to creating a soothing and well-rounded environment in grooming salons. Partnering with Precision Sharp to offer high-quality, American-made products, she also enjoys teaching webinars and classes and attending trade shows. A life-long learner with the heart of a teacher and the soul of an artist, Melissa combines her comprehensive knowledge with practical, day-to-day applications to inspire and educate her students
Markie James
Markie James, a North Carolina native, is an accomplished groomer and graphic designer with over 15 years of experience. As the owner of Bark Side Pet Grooming, a salon recognized with multiple local awards for excellence, Markie has established herself as a leader in the grooming industry.
A proud ambassador for All For Groomers and a member of the NDGAA, Markie has also excelled in grooming competitions, earning numerous awards. With a background in graphic design from CVCC, she has worked with major companies and recently published an article in Groomer to Groomer magazine on branding your business. Markie shares her expertise by teaching seminars at trade shows, combining her creative and professional talents to inspire others in the industry.
Classes in Plant
Total Credit Hours (Courses)
28
How to Read Breed Standard 101
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor: Tabatha Feerick
In this course, Tabatha will show us even further how to apply a breed's standard to the dog on our table.
Scheduling With Business Suite
Credit Hours: 1
Instructor: Meg Ioffredo
In this webinar, Meg will teach us how to use the app Business Suite to make social media posting for our businesses easy and efficient.
Advanced Handstripping
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Stephenie Calhoun
In this course, Stephenie will teach us further on how to hand strip including how to incorporate various patterns into our stripping.
Back to the Basics
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor: Markie James
In this course, Markie will show us what tools are on the market, when to use which blade lengths, how to hold our shears properly, organizing tips, and more!
"Bad" Dogs Deserve to be Cute Too
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Markie James
In this course, Markie will go over the needs of the pets we don't always look forward to grooming and the safe handling techniques we can use during their grooming.
I Want to be the Very Best at Yorkies, Like No One Ever Was
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Markie James
In this course, Markie will show us how to handle Yorkie attitudes and their finicky, soft drop coats.
Caring for the Challenging Dog
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Melissa Jepson
In this course, Melissa will guide us through the steps we can take to ease our stress of difficult clients, changing your entire approach to your problem customers!
What to do When They're Under Two
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor: Melissa Jepson
In this course, Melissa will teach us how to handle a puppy's first time groom and how to set these young pups up for a lifetime of successful grooming.
No Butts About It
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor: Melissa Jepson
In this course, Melissa will tackle the rear half of the dog and teach us how to create angulation, flattering looks, and a rear that sticks out.
Grooming By Numbers
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor: Melissa Jepson
In this course, Melissa will show us how to pinpoint important areas on the dog so we can connect the dots and not get lost in our haircuts.
Master Pet Aesthetician
Credit Hours: 5
Instructor: Michelle Knowles
This advanced course is designed to prepare us for aesthetician work in a veterinary environment. It covers basic science, vocabulary, advanced therapeutics, communication, and research.
Skills Demoed and Practiced
Terrier
Toy
Non-Sporting
Herding
Sporting
Total Credit Hours (Skills)
52
Hound
Working