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6 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2020 RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT Teri judges a competition groomer's detail work on her Standard Poodle By Sharon Bond I bet you didn't know we have an internationally-renowned stylist living here at Four Seasons. Teri DiMarino shares her life here with her husband, Jeff Davidson, and remains very active in the pet grooming industry as a speaker, judge, and national and state association activist while she still grooms in her private salon. Every industry has its competitions and professional pet grooming is no exception. "Most people would never think that competitive dog grooming is a sport. It breaks up the routine for pet groomers, but more importantly, helps them hone their skills, thus making them better groomers in their salons," she remarked. Many top groomers, like Teri, go on to compete in world competitions. Teri entered the pet styling industry in 1973, owning and operating a successful South Florida salon for 27 years. Having won Best In Show grooming contest competitions multiple times, she was a member of three GroomTeam USA International Gold Medal winning teams and finished 1993 as the #1 competition groomer in the United States. She is currently on the GroomTeam USA Board of Directors and has won multiple industry awards as Groomer of the Year, Judge of the Year, Journalist, and Outstanding Contributor to the Industry. Teri added, "I am also the recipient of the American Kennel Club's Leadership Award for my work behind the scenes within the industry and I am a Certified Master Groomer/Stylist with three different certification organizations." Her dog show background includes extensive work with Doberman Pinschers in the obedience ring as well as helping found the Doberman Rescue League in South Florida. "I also bred and showed Tibetan Terriers, having finished numerous breed and obedience champions as well as owner handling one of my dogs to a National Specialty Best in Show win." Her "eye for a dog" carried over to her busy salon, where she maintained and groomed many of the local show dogs for their handlers. After selling her salon in 2000, she moved to California where she helped form the California Professional Pet Groomers Association (CPPGA), and currently serves as its president. "It's the goal of the CPPGA to enhance relations between pet groomers and consumers, promoting professionalism, safety, and sanitation within the industry. The CPPGA has become a model organization across the country and is helping other states form cohesive groups within the industry. Most people don't realize that pet grooming is an unregulated industry," said Teri. She has contributed to bringing consistency within the pet grooming industry and was instrumental in helping compose the Professional Pet Groomers and Stylists Alliance Standards of Safety, Care, and Sanitation guidelines that are being used in legislation in several states to assure good care for the pets groomers serve. Teri DiMarino: A Leader in the Pet Grooming Industry