Why Today’s Groomers Need Scientific Education to Stand Out

A Global Perspective on the Evolution of Modern Grooming

By Nathalie Doaré--Ariey-Jouglard

For many years, grooming was viewed primarily as an artistic craft; a profession driven by manual skills, visual results, and experience-based intuition. But the global grooming industry has shifted. It is no longer enough to create a beautiful finish; professionals are increasingly expected to understand the biological, emotional, and dermatological needs of the animals entrusted to them.

This worldwide transformation did not emerge spontaneously. It has been shaped by forward-thinking educational movements and by a new generation of leaders who put science, ethics, and welfare at the core of grooming practice.

Among those who have significantly contributed to this revolution are the DAATA method, the scientific values promoted by the International Grooming Society (IGS), and internationally recognized educators such as Nathalie Doaré-Ariey-Jouglard, Stephanie Zickmann (Holistic Grooming Academy), and Canada’s own Chantel Hunt, IGS Chapter Leader and dedicated ambassador of evidence-based grooming.

Their influence, and that of other educators and advocates committed to advancing knowledge, has helped reshape the profession into one that demands more understanding, more responsibility, and more science.

Scientific education is no longer optional.It is the criteria by which modern groomers stand apart.

1. Groomers Are Now Key Actors in Skin & Coat Health

Groomers observe animals more often than many veterinary teams. They detect coat changes, skin irritations, sensitivities, excessive sebum, dryness, environmental impacts, and stress signals at an early stage.

But without the scientific foundation to interpret what they see, crucial information is lost.

The DAATA curriculum changed that reality.It gave groomers:

• deep understanding of epidermal biology

• tools to differentiate physiological from cosmetic issues

• the ability to adapt protocols safely

• knowledge of ingredient families and dermatological mechanisms

• a structured, evidence-based approach to grooming

This evolution is amplified internationally through the IGS, which promotes science-centered grooming education as a universal professional standard.

2. Global Educators Have Elevated the Industry

The rise of scientific grooming is tied to the work of several influential figures.

Nathalie Doaré-Ariey-Jouglard (France/International)

Through DAATA and the International Grooming Society, she has built an educational system grounded in dermatology, physiology, welfare science, and ethical practice. Her work has given groomers worldwide a rigorous framework that respects biological reality and emotional sensitivity.

Stephanie Zickmann (Scotland – Holistic Grooming Academy)

Her pioneering contributions in stress-aware, welfare-led, and sensory-conscious grooming have shaped a more compassionate, emotionally informed approach to animal care.

Chantel Hunt (Canada – IGS Chapter Leader)

A shining example of commitment to science and professional integrity, Chantel Hunt actively promotes DAATA principles across Canada. As a respected educator, practitioner, and ambassador for the IGS, she carries scientific grooming with loyalty, clarity, and deep respect for the methodology.

Christein Pearson (USA)

From the United States, Christein Pearson has also participated in the broad dissemination of modern grooming education. While her work represents one of the many international voices engaging with new standards, her influence remains part of the growing movement that encourages groomers to explore scientific and welfare-based approaches.

Together, and alongside many others, these figures have contributed to creating a global shift: they demonstrated that grooming is not simply a technical discipline, but a field that requires knowledge, analysis, and scientific competence.

3. Clients Demand Transparency and Science Provides It

Today’s pet owners are more informed than ever. They expect explanations, not assumptions. They challenge product claims, question ingredients, and look for professionals capable of delivering evidence-based reasoning.

Groomers with scientific training can:

• justify product choices based on dermatological principles

• explain coat cycles and epidermal functions clearly

• correct misinformation with confidence

• provide tailored care rooted in physiology

• communicate professionally with veterinarians

This is one of the pillars championed by the IGS: empowering groomers through factual knowledge and ethical communication.

4. Welfare-Centered Grooming Is Now a Global Standard

The movement toward welfare-first grooming, shaped notably by DAATA and the Holistic Grooming Academy, is redefining professional expectations.

Scientific groomers learn to understand:

• the emotional states of animals

• stress signals and thresholds

• the biological needs of different coat types

• microbiome balance and barrier protection

• how ingredients interact with the skin

• how to adapt care for elderly, anxious, or sensitive pets

This shift improves animal well-being, enhances safety, builds trust, and strengthens the profession as a whole.

5. Scientific Grooming Is a Competitive Advantage

Beyond ethics, scientific literacy has become a genuine strategic advantage for modern groomers. Professionals who understand physiology, dermatology, and the biological mechanisms of skin and coat naturally inspire greater confidence from pet owners, which translates into stronger client loyalty and higher demand for their services. With the ability to explain protocols clearly and justify decisions through evidence rather than habit, these groomers can position themselves at a premium level and set prices that reflect their expertise. Their scientific grounding also helps prevent incidents, misunderstandings, and inappropriate care, resulting in fewer complaints and a smoother relationship with both clients and animals. Because they speak the same biological language as veterinarians, they collaborate more effectively with clinics and health professionals, creating valuable cross-referrals. Above all, their capacity to tailor care to each pet’s physiological needs offers a level of service that clients immediately recognize as superior. In a market increasingly saturated with low-cost providers who offer technique without understanding, groomers trained in science stand apart, not only as practitioners, but as true professionals.

6. Science Is the Universal Language of Grooming’s Future

As grooming becomes increasingly connected across borders, scientific education provides the shared foundation needed for international collaboration.

The IGS promotes this common language by aligning groomers from France, Canada, the USA, the UK, Japan, Norway, and beyond around evidence-based knowledge.

Science makes the profession stronger, more unified, and more respected.

Conclusion

Technique Makes a Groomer. Science Makes a Professional.

The grooming industry has entered a new era, one shaped by physiology, dermatology, welfare, and ethics. Thanks to educators like Nathalie Doaré-Ariey-Jouglard, Stephanie Zickmann, dedicated ambassadors like Chantel Hunt, and international contributors across the world, grooming now stands on a foundation that honors both the animal and the professional.

To stand out today, groomers must do more than groom, they must understand.

They must:

observe scientifically,think critically,act ethically,and communicate clearly.

Scientific grooming isn't simply the future. It is the present.And it is reshaping the profession for the better; one educated groomer at a time.