The Whole Pet Grooming Academy

Christine Tina Scamman

2024-04

Great place very knowledgeable about different breeds and cats. They also are amazing with dogs with anxiety. I would recommend them to friends and I do.

Lisa DeJoie

2024-01

I brought my 18 year old long haired tuxedo in for grooming. She was extremely matted. My initial phone call was friendly and patient as I asked lots of questions. I was able to get an appointment for the next day.Lauren did a great job with my not easy to handle cat. She even clipped her nails.The cost was slightly higher than quoted over the phone but I was happy with the appointment

Lori M

2023-05

I am beyond thrilled with the skill level, kindness and attention to detail that Lory extends to her clients. By far, the best cut that my standard poodles have ever had, and I've lived in a number of states. Lory is sweet, kind, skilled, on point and a kind human. We've found our "furever" groomer!

Kate

2022-05

Brought my pup here in 2019 for a trim. She resembles a poodle mix with curly hair. Got a call that it had a lot of mats and asking for permission to give a closer cut to resolve. I said ok. What I returned to was a shaved and traumatized dog. It took her over a month to stop being extremely skittish. And to this day, even with a one on one trainer is still experiencing trauma and won’t let anyone come near her with scissors or any implement. We have to have her under anesthesia to get anything done. The trainer points to this experience as being the trauma that affected her so deeply. My previous review was under a different name for the business and seems to have been taken down. But looks like the same owner. Before and after pics for reference.

Lindsay Merritt

2023-08

We love you guys! I’ve been bringing my two year old dog here since the beginning. He gets extremely nervous, but everyone there is so warm and gentle to all animals. Faith always does a wonderful job ❤️

Rachel Yzaguirre

2024-02

Laurie takes the best care of my long haired cat and is very gentle with her. She is super accommodating as well and does a great job with my cats groom!

Lauren Parker

2020-05

Our newfie is beyond happy with his giant femur bone I bought at the shop today! It is a challenge to find safe and digestible treats for our dog, especially since he is so large. Grooming By the Sea's shop offered a great variety of treat options and the piece of mind that I was giving our dog something safe and wholesome. The pricing was affordable too! The boutique has an amazing selection of pet apparel and quality shampoos, sprays, and brushes. It is a one stop shop for your pet. Great place!

Maribeth Lazich

2022-05

Lory is fantastic! My elderly dog's haircut was perfect in every way and his coat has never been so soft; 3 weeks later he still has that "just groomed" look and feel.

P F

2018-05

Almost two years ago to the day on March 8, 2016, we brought our dog, Jed, to Pearly Pond Pet Salon in Rindge. Shortly after dropping him off he was dead. The owner was charged with animal cruelty. Two years later, she remains open for business and Jed remains dead. There was no justice for Jed. Since Jed's death we have adopted two more rescue dogs and have fostered many in Jed's memory. Over the past two years, we've had many suggestions on where to bring our dogs to be groomed. I've made a bunch of appointments and always cancelled them when the date came around. How could I ever trust someone with our dogs again? Today, I brought Moochie and Keepa to Dara's Paw Spaw in Peterborough, NH. Dara and her assistant groomer were fantastic. They were kind and patient, not only with the dogs, but with me as well as I hovered over them while they groomed our dogs. If anyone is looking for a dog groomer, I would 100% recommend Dara's Paw Spaw.

Alissa Laitres

2022-05

I’m a recent graduate of The Whole Pet Grooming Academy and it was a great experience! The salon is a pleasant environment for learning with friendly staff, clients and instructors. I had the privilege of learning from Lory Belanger. She is a wealth of knowledge and her passion for grooming is infectious. After a week into the Intermediate Canine Stylist diploma program, I was obsessed with grooming!I enjoyed the many course offerings that were included in the diploma program and was so grateful to learn from industry leaders like Michelle Knowles and Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins. I highly recommend the Esthetician Courses with Michelle Knowles! I gained so much knowledge of skin and coat care and I feel that I’m a better groomer because of her classes.I will be forever grateful to have found The Academy and for providing me with foundational knowledge to begin my journey as a Professional Pet Stylist and Esthetician.

Sharon Goecke

2023-09

I love The Whole Pet Grooming Academy! My dogs, Annie & Java get such wonderful care from Lory and the rest of the staff. They are so caring and kind. Thank you!

Kristen Panzer

2023-09

I'm so happy that I found Lory Belanger and the Whole Pet Grooming Academy. I was ready to give up on the idea of learning to groom before I found my way to the school. Lory's kindness and patience isn't just for the dogs in her care-- she extends it to all the people she teaches, working with many types of learners of all experience levels-- from those who have never worked with animals before, to those going for master groomer level training. From young people not long out of high school to those in their 50s trying to pull off a mid-career pivot (me!). I had some experience before WPGA as a bather but, all told, found it pretty demoralizing. Working as a bather was nothing like what I had learned in the Paragon distance learning course. Dogs hated what we were doing to them, and I hated man-handling them, feeling under constant pressure to hustle them through the bath, dry, and prep work. It was a joyless and sometimes dangerous experience for the dogs and the bathers. I hoped against hope that there was a better way to do it and a better way for me to come up in the industry, and I found it at WPGA.I felt such relief just walking in the doors of the salon. It was a little chaotic from their recent move, but I could feel it was a special place where the needs of the animals in their care were truly respected and prioritized over speed or perfection.I think the dogs were grateful to find themselves in such a special place and so was I! It's the work of Chrissy Neumyer Smith that sets the tone for how humans and dogs work together in Lory's salon to accomplish a great experience and a great groom, and I'm grateful to Chrissy as well. It was such a welcome relief to know that having a dog who is calm, comfortable, and cooperative was a goal of every groom.Shout out to Emma, Faith, and Jennifer in the salon-- each of them shared their knowledge with me and the other students and were always kind and patient with us newbies, as well as with the dogs (and a few cats!).Lory was able to tailor the program to the unique needs of each student, challenging us to grow and take on more, while respectful of our differing skill levels and abilities, and careful never to overwhelm or pressure. I don't know how she holds all that in her head and heart, while always remaining calm and confident. I'm truly sad to leave, and I hope to be back one day in some capacity. Lory is an extraordinary educator and WPGA is an extraordinary place to learn.

Joe Seluk

2024-04

The Owner cares very much about the quality of the products and employees craftsmanship. They will go the extra mile if asked.

Sarah Honeyman

2023-05

Phenomenal Experience! This is a seriously professional operation... starting from the look and feel of the first room you walk into (you seriously feel like you're walking into a spa), to the relaxing guitar music they have playing, to the attentive and incredibly positive/loving staff, to the actual grooming rooms that you're able to see through window. Everything's neat, modern, pristine. I've been there twice now, and our two cats have come back looking like a million bucks. Lory, in particular, has really impressed us: she's kind, fun, funny, and obviously LOVES every animal who comes through the door. Oh... and she definitely knows her stuff when it comes to grooming and care. I cannot recommend this place more highly. It's worth every penny of its already-reasonable-rates. Those who actually attend the academy portion of the operation are lucky to have such a perfect example of how things should be run. 5 Stars All The Way!

Michael Gendre

2023-05

I have had the absolutely best experiences with Lory and her associates at the Whole Pet Grooming Academy. My dog is very difficult to groom and it's been very hard to deal with past groomers telling me they couldn't finish the entire coat of the dog because he couldn't take it.... (sigh 😔)None of this happens with Lory, my dog loves her and isn't apprehensive going back. Lory always be takes her time and lets me know in advance of the grooming end time. I couldn't speak more highly of her and associates in light of my various experiences with them.

Elise Rodgers

2023-05

So grateful we found this place. Our dog is phobic of having his nails trimmed, but with the help of the very patient staff here, he has improved dramatically in just a few short months. A special shout out to Lory, who is SO professional and friendly and truly puts our pup at ease. Highly recommend!

Jennifer Dargenio

2023-05

I went here today because I needed help cutting my new kittens nails. I was greeted so kindly at the door. The young lady who helped my kitten was wonderful! I was in and out. Will be back and highly recommend!

Kimberly Leslie

2021-05

I brought my 9 year old Cavalier King Charles, Gigi to the shop for the first time after searching for a new groomer. Her grooming was exactly what we asked for and most of all Gigi loved it (especially her blueberry facial), Dara did an awesome job!I found Dara and her staff highly knowledgeable, caring and professional. We will definitely be back, as well as recommend this groomer to others!!!

Destiny Gent

2023-05

The best experience with a groomer! The customer service was amazing even though we had to call and tell them we would be late. One of our dogs is iffy with other dogs but they were so accommodating. I will always recommend 10/10

Mary Stefanik

2021-05

I have had my Goldens and Great Pyrenees groomed by Dara for years. You couldn’t ask for a better experience. She is a dog whisperer. She’s awesome with my dogs, patient with them, and knows when they need a break. They are beautiful when they are done. My dogs that were initially anxious and fearful were completely comfortable with her after a couple visits. I now live in northern Maine and drove almost 4 hours to see her with my Great Pyrenees, Zoey, for a grooming. I’d highly recommend her. She’s a pleasure to deal with!! She has a variety of products she uses. She also has an extensive retail selection of treats, toys and other products.Mary StefanikGreenville Junction, Maine

Jake Nihart

2020-05

THE best grooming experience my 9 year old lab has had. They fit me right in last minute and did an incredible job at a great price point. I don’t think my dog has ever looked better and I think he knew it!

dick desroches

2020-05

We have known and trusted Dara for 12 years. She has skillfully and lovingly groomed our three rescued four-legged family members. She is talented, professional and also caring. I would not hesitate to patronize any establishment operated by one of her graduates. If you are lucky enough to get appointments with Dara herself, so much the better.

Kim Schreiber

2021-05

After meeting Dara Forleo at Groom Expo West in Pasadena, CA while in the process of purchasing a grooming shop, I knew that she would be where I turned to learn to groom. At 54 and learning a new career I am thrilled with my decision to come from Chicago to NH to learn from the best! What I learned in the first week of training (after completing an online course during Covid closure) was nothing short of miraculous. Reading about how to groom a Schnauzer and having an actual dog in front of you is very different. But from using the proper products on the individual dog coats, the conditioning of the dog hair, high speed dryers and how to properly dry, clippers and the proper blades, the top-of-line shears (that the school provides!), and the proper use of the combs and brushes essential to grooming- I was ready to at least be able to provide my grooming staff with a helping hand. But me being a perfectionist, I had to come back. So 3 weeks after my first trip to NH, I returned- this time for 2 weeks! 10 days into the 2 weeks I was completing dogs on my own and feeling confident! I am so indebted to Dara and Cindy and cannot thank them enough. They turned this middle aged former banker, bartender and admin asst into a groomer. If you want to be a groomer with the best training under your belt- enroll in this school! You will be so happy- just like me!

Paula Jones

2020-05

I am a new client to The Whole Pet Grooming Spa and last week I brought my cat, Winslow (short haired persian) to Whole Pet Grooming to be cleaned up. Winslow’s fur was very matted due to recent home construction, which resulted in wallboard dust throughout my house that Winslow could not avoid getting onto his fur.I can’t say enough about the professionalism and the quality of the grooming at Whole Pet Grooming Spa. I was greeted with professionalism and kindness upon my first walking into the Spa. I immediately felt comfortable and felt my cat would be well taken care of. I stayed throughout the whole grooming session to help the staff keep Winslow calm while they groomed. Due to Winslow’s fur being so matted Dana worked diligently at doing her best to comb out each and every fur knot to avoid having to shave Winslow’s beautiful fur. I watched how they were extremely careful at not hurting the cat, well trained at knowing how to get at all those knots out, etc. Due to their expertise in grooming they were successful in not having to shave Winslow and was able to give him a wonderful shampoo and conditioning.Winslow looked awesome when they were done and after getting him home, I could tell he felt much better.I live in Kennebunk, ME and I plan to continue to take Winslow to Whole Pet Grooming Spa in Portsmouth NH and I plan to recommend this place to lots of people.I want to thank Dana and the staff for doing a great job.Paula Jones

Erica Katz

2021-05

I took my 2 standard poodles here and very specifically asked that they both get puppy cuts. They insisted they could accomplish this in less than 2 hours. In fact, they said an hour and a half for both. It usually takes several hours for each of my dogs to get groomed. They never called or texted so we returned 2 hours later to both dogs with kennel cuts where they were shaved down to their skin. At no time was I notified that this would be a possible outcome and it was barely acknowledged. Needless to say, the dogs look horrible and both have irritated skin. I would never go back. If I wanted this outcome I could have used a razor and some shaving cream.

Tom Mita

2022-05

The are so kind and patient with my elderly dog. Most groomers wouldn't take her because she's very large and has a hard time standing on her own. This place gets my highest recommendation!

Patricia Marotta (Patty)

2019-05

Dara and her team are wonderful with animals. They do a terrific job handling all species. Dara is very knowledgeable in the grooming/pet industry and does a terrific job handling her business and school! KUDOS to you Dara!!!! You will NEVER leave disappointed once you've brought your furbaby to Dara's NEVER.... Her new Pet boutique in peterboro is going to be a wonderful addition to her chain.

Gabby Phinney

2017-05

Dara is a phenomenal teacher and the salon is such a warm relaxing environment for both people and pets alike!! I would reccomend her to anyone for grooming and even more so for her expertise as a pet stylist teacher. Thanks to Dara I now have a job as a pet stylist in a salon and am on my way to a bright future and fun career path!!

Carol

2023-05

Love these people! So nice and helpful and excellent groomers!

Paula Somero

2016-05

I'm the owner/operator of Dogdom - Pet Care Service in Jaffrey, NH and Dara's is the #1 grooming business I will promote and endorse!Her care, knowledge and handling skills, as well as utmost professionalism is beyond all else in the area. She has truly made a mark on the pet service community in this area! Not only has she worked hard to make this mark but she continually strives to be better, do better and to pass her knowledge onto upcoming groomers, proving that we need to share our industry in a positive forward motion for the good of our pets!