IGS Founder and President Nathalie Doaré Interviewed by PETBIZS
- Nathalie Ariey-Jouglard
- Jul 27
- 2 min read
The International Grooming Society is pleased to share a new in-depth interview with its Founder and President, Nathalie Doaré-Ariey-Jouglard, published by PETBIZS.
Entitled Ethical and Holistic Dog Grooming: A Conversation with IGS Founder Nathalie Doaré, the interview explores the personal journey, scientific questions and professional vision that led first to the development of the DAATA methodology and, later, to the creation of IGS.
From unanswered questions to a new professional approach
Nathalie’s journey began almost 20 years ago with a fascination for the creativity, precision and technical skill involved in professional grooming. However, that fascination quickly led to deeper questions.
What happens to the skin and coat during grooming? How do water temperature, products, brushing, detangling, clipping and drying affect living tissues? Why do some animals resist particular stages of the grooming process? How does this work affect the physical and emotional health of the groomer?
The search for evidence-based answers gradually became the foundation of the DAATA methodology: an approach to professional grooming informed by dermatology, cosmetology, animal behaviour, welfare, product knowledge and groomer health.
These same principles later contributed to the creation of the International Grooming Society.
The vision behind IGS
Throughout the interview, Nathalie explains why IGS was created to help develop grooming as a science-based, welfare-centred and sustainable profession.
The organization’s work extends beyond the appearance of the finished groom. It considers the animal as a sentient individual experiencing every stage of the session, while also recognizing that grooming professionals must be able to protect their own health and build sustainable careers.
As Nathalie states in the interview:
“Animal-first should never mean groomer-last.”
For IGS, animal welfare and groomer health are not competing priorities. They are interconnected responsibilities that must progress together.
From international research to practical action
The interview also examines the Global Groomer Health Initiative, created following the participation of close to 4,000 grooming professionals in the IGS international health study.
The scale of this participation demonstrated that groomers around the world are ready to speak openly about occupational pain, fatigue, stress, hearing risks and emotional pressure. It also confirmed the need to transform research findings into practical prevention, professional education and meaningful industry action.
This work now includes specialist health education, international collaboration, awareness campaigns and the Global Groomer Health Conference.
Building the future of professional grooming
Nathalie also discusses the development of the IGS international chapter network, professional certification, Animal Welfare Guidelines for Grooming Events and the importance of working across the entire grooming ecosystem.
Schools, educators, associations, manufacturers, event organizers and individual professionals all have a role to play in raising standards.
The objective is not to reject grooming traditions, creativity, competition or technical excellence. It is to place them on stronger scientific and ethical foundations so that the profession can continue to evolve responsibly.
We sincerely thank PETBIZS for giving our President the opportunity to share the story behind IGS and to explain the values, research and long-term vision guiding our international work.
Read the complete interview
Discover the full conversation on PETBIZS:
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