Our Story
Changing Dog Grooming from the Inside Out
Education built on science, guided by welfare and driven by a simple belief that every dog deserves to be understood before they are groomed.
And it all began with one, rather controversial, article called ‘The Flaws of The Professional Grooming Industry’…
In 2018, HGA Founder Stephanie Zikmann decided to publish an eye-opening article revealing the many ways professional grooming fails to meet welfare standards, and the world stopped to listen.
In a matter of days, Stephanie found herself being asked to present her findings and approach in various platforms across the world, and The Holistic Grooming Academy was born.
Today, Stephanie spends most of her time raising awareness of the link between grooming, behaviour and training, dedicating all of her spare time researching the emotional impact grooming has on dogs, and their overall health and wellness.
About Us
The Holistic Grooming Academy is an international, award-winning CPD Course Provider for Professional Groomers looking to advance their skills and knowledge in Behaviour Grooming Principles.
What started off as one girl’s unorthodox approach to grooming processes, quickly grew to become something much bigger…
HGA Founder Stephanie Zikmann, didn’t know it yet, but she was sitting upon a concept that would soon take the industry by storm - a concept where every dog was given choice and the opportunity to consent to grooming tasks.
Her method, which she began referring to as the “holistic grooming” method, took into consideration the individual needs of dogs, and combined it with an advanced knowledge and skills in canine behaviour, communication and body-language.
After the publication of one controversial article followed quickly by her first book, The Magic of Holistic Grooming, the academy was officially opened, introducing the first advanced online course in Behaviour Theory concepts for professional dog groomers.
7 years later, The Holistic Grooming Academy has helped support thousands of professional dog groomers and dog carers around the world, looking for a more dog-centred way to groom dogs with less stress.
“Education creates better professionals.
Better professionals develop better industries.
And better industries change lives for the better.”
- Stephanie Zikmann
Meet Stephanie Zikmann
Hello!
My journey began like all others - with a deep love for dogs and a desire to understand them better. But studying canine behaviour changed how I looked at dogs within grooming contexts, and as a result, how I worked with them.
What started as a vision to improve experiences and outcomes soon grew to a passion for educating other professionals in achieving the same.
Since launching the HGA, I have helped support more than 4000 professional dog groomers, dog carers and their dogs - this experience has helped forge the course content and, more recently, the Applied Behaviour & Welfare Grooming Framework.
I’m still learning every single day, and I strongly believe that we are all responsible in ensuring that we continue to advance our own understanding of dogs, and how to make life experiences better for them, and not just us.
If you would like to get involved or chat about potential collaborations, please reach out to me anytime!
My Achievements
I am so proud of what I have accomplished in my career so far, including:
iAwards Animal Sector Tutor of The Year 2025
Amazon Multi-No1-Bestselling Author
International Public Educator & Speaker
Level 5 Advanced Canine Behaviourist
Tutored 100+ Graduates Since 2020
Research Contributor for my pioneered field of study: Behaviour Grooming Science
Level 3 OCN Diploma in Professional Grooming and Salon Management
KAD Approved Professional
Professional Pet First Aid Trained
Silver Certified - Low Stress Handling
Level 1 & 2 DAATA Method Certified
Level 2 Let Animals Lead Reiki Practitioner
Business Management MBA
And many more to come!
Study options:
Study our Behaviour Grooming Diploma on a module-by-module basis, and obtain your HGA certification in Behaviour Grooming once you complete all assignments. Please note you will only receive each module and workbook sheet in digital form.
All 13 modules should be purchased and completed within 36 months to be eligible to partake in the final grading assessment.
Upon completing one module successfully, you may use this option to purchase your next module - each module is £127.00.
The diploma is currently recognised by The CMA and iPET via PDR pathway.
Due to the nature of this setup, we cannot offer refunds for our module by module option.
IMPORTANT: With purchasing - I understand that by requesting immediate access to digital course materials, I expressly consent to the course beginning immediately and acknowledge that this may affect my statutory right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
Enrol on the complete, digital option of our Behaviour Grooming Diploma and obtain your HGA certification in Behaviour Grooming principles, and receive your study material straight to your door.
The total number of study hours required for this course is 360 over 24 months.
The diploma is currently recognised by The CMA and iPET via their PDR pathway.
IMPORTANT: With purchasing - I understand that by receiving immediate access to digital course materials, I expressly consent to the course beginning immediately and acknowledge that this may affect my statutory right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
Enrol on the complete, premium printing option of our Behaviour Grooming Diploma and obtain your HGA certification in Behaviour Grooming principles, and receive your study material straight to your door.
The total number of study hours required for this course is 360 over 24 months.
The diploma is currently recognised by The CMA and iPET via their Professional Development Recognition (PDR) pathway.
Treat your loved one to a luxury HGA Gift Card - redeemable against our HGA Behaviour Grooming Diploma and/or other educational resources.
Join the conversation…
Join Stephanie and Chrissy as they discuss modern grooming and where behaviour sits in future plans to regulate the professional grooming industry.
Chrissy is the founder of popular grooming podcast, ‘Creating Great Grooming Dogs’, and actively advocates for a more dog-centred approach to professional grooming industry.
Want to share your thoughts? Reach out to us via our socials (see Footer).
What You Need To Know About The HGA
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For years, professional grooming education has focused primarily on techniques, styling and breed standards. While these skills are important, many professionals complete their training having received little formal education in canine behaviour, welfare science, learning theory, emotional health or the practical application of modern animal welfare research.
HGA was created to bridge that gap.
Everything we develop is designed around one belief:
Every dog deserves to be understood before it is groomed.
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Education should inspire confidence, not confusion.
When you enrol with The HGA, you’re joining a community committed to improving dog welfare through evidence-informed education, practical application and lifelong professional development.
We promise to:
Put welfare before aesthetics, always.
Teach the “why” before the “how”.
Encourage critical thinking rather than rigid rules.
Support every student throughout their learning journey.
Continuously update our content as science evolves.
Welcome questions, curiosity and respectful discussion.
Our aim isn’t simply to help you pass a certification - it’s to help you become the kind of professional dogs deserve.
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The HGA was founded after recognising a significant gap within traditional grooming education.
While behaviour, learning theory and welfare science have transformed many areas within animal professions, these subjects were often missing from conventional grooming training.
What began as a small educational project has since grown to:
Published textbooks
Professional CPD courses
International webinars
Research projects
A growing graduate community
The development of the Applied Behaviour and Welfare Grooming Framework (ABWGF)
Every step has been driven by one simple question:
How can we improve the grooming experience for dogs?
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We believe every dog is an individual.
Rather than teaching one “correct” way to groom every dog, we encourage professionals to observe, adapt and make welfare-centred decisions based on the needs of the individual in front of them.
Our teaching is built around six core principles:
Behaviour first.
Welfare always.
Science before opinion.
Practical, real-world application.
Lifelong professional growth.
Collaboration over competition.
These principles underpin every module within the diploma.
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Every dog communicates.
Behaviour is information.
Welfare comes first.
A beautiful groom should never come at the expense of welfare.
Science matters.
We continually review research to ensure our teaching reflects current knowledge.
Professionals never stop learning.
Education isn’t something you finish.
It’s something you continue.
Compassion drives excellence.
The best groomers aren’t those who work the fastest.
They’re the ones who never stop asking how they can do better.
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Most grooming education teaches the groomer how to groom, style and care for the skin and coat of a dog.
But The HGA supports students in understanding:
✔ Why behaviour happens.
✔ How dogs learn.
✔ Emotional wellbeing.
✔ Pain recognition.
✔ Stress reduction.
✔ Ethical decision making.
✔ Professional reflection.
✔ Human factors.
✔ Communication.
✔ Welfare science.
Helping to raise standards and professional excellency.
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The Behaviour Grooming Diploma forms part of the wider Applied Behaviour and Welfare Grooming Framework (ABWGF).
The framework is an evolving professional model bringing together behaviour science, welfare principles, education and applied grooming practice into one integrated approach.
By studying with The HGA, you’re contributing to the development of a growing body of knowledge designed to help shape the future of the profession.
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Education should evolve.
That’s why The HGA continually reviews emerging research, gathers feedback from students and professionals, and contributes to ongoing projects exploring behaviour, welfare and professional practice.
We don’t believe courses should remain unchanged for years.
As knowledge grows, so do we.
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This diploma has been designed for:
New groomers wanting a strong welfare foundation.
Experienced groomers looking to update their knowledge.
Mobile groomers.
Salon owners.
Veterinary professionals.
Grooming assistants.
Trainers and behaviourists wanting to understand grooming.
Anyone passionate about improving the welfare of dogs.
If you fit the above description, then absolutely, yes!
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Designed for busy professionals.
Study entirely online.
Learn at your own pace.
Flexible payment options.
Digital or printed learning materials.
Module-by-module progression available.
Tutor guidance.
Practical assignments.
Community support.
Graduate recognition.
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The HGA has been built through collaboration with experienced professionals, researchers and organisations that share our commitment to raising standards within the industry.
Our work has been recognised through:
Published educational resources
Industry awards
Accredited professional education
Evidence-based teaching
Ongoing research and collaboration
An active graduate community
We continue to work towards developing behaviour and welfare education that supports both today’s professionals and the future of the grooming industry.
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To ensure you understand how the HGA operates, and your rights as a student/member please visit the relevant policy and procedure pages for further information: