Academy Of Animal Arts Inc

My daughter came to live in Largo, Florida, with my husband and me for about 9 months. Up until that time she had been a waitress with no real goals or plans for her future. That was ok, until she became pregnant and needed to think about not only her own future but the future of the child she would soon bring into this world. With only a small window of opportunity afforded her, we started to brainstorm about a skill she could acquire in a short amount of time. It just so happened that the Academy of Animal Arts was close by and caught our attention as a viable option. My daughter soon found out that she could attend the academy and graduate before the baby was due. She took out an education loan and was soon enrolled in the class. That was 7 years ago. Today she is living back in the Midwest, still a single mom - but she owns her own home and works 5 minutes away as manager of the grooming salon at a large chain petshop. Not only is she head groomer and manager she is also top grooming trainer for that particular chain in the state in which she works. Last year she grossed 52K. Because of the excellent instruction she received at the Academy of Animal Arts, my daughter is enjoying a lucrative career that has enabled her to raise her precious son independently allowing him a secure and comfortable lifestyle. I am very proud of my daughter's accomplishments and I view the Academy of Animal Arts her personal miracle that opened doors for her in many ways. And an extra bonus: she really enjoys her job! more

\r Quality Excellent \r \r I completed the 16 week course and graduated from the Academy of Animal Arts in Largo, Florida this year and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The staff there were eager to teach and made it fun and exciting. The curricuIum was extensive and taught me not only how to groom dogs, it also taught me about them which I found very interesting. I loved dogs before the course and now I love them even more and understand them better. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone who is considering a career in dog grooming. It is a loving and caring learning environment, and the facility itself was always kept immaculate and clean, stocked with the most current equipment and grooming products for us students. Teri, the owner and primary teacher has shown dogs all over the world. She knows the industry and is a very wonderful teacher. I feel honored to have learned my new trade from Teri's vast knowledge of animals, precise instruction, and wonderful attitude that she presented throughout the entire 16 weeks.There were a variety of students from all walks of life, including international students, and Teri showed an enormous amount of patience and compassion for them all during the entire course. Some students in class with me had varying abilities and disabilities and Teri showed great patience and understanding with them all. I did hear about a student dismissed awhile back from this school for being disruptive in class, and, knowing Teri as I do now, I'm sure she was justified. This is the place to be if you want to learn to groom dogs. more

I'm a graduate of the Academy Of Animal Arts (2004) and have to comment on how much Teri, Corrine and all the wonderful teachers and lecturers taught me all the skills and care needed to become a successful dog groomer, to which I am today. Teri still to this day is always available to receive/or return my phone calls if I need some advice about my business or a problem dog I'm dealing with, or just to get her valuable opinion about the grooming industry. I am amazed to read the negative comment left by someone who obviously isn't telling a true story. First off, I was never favored by Teri and her staff any more the the next student. All instructors adore the animals that come thru there doors and have always treated the owners, the animals AND the students with respect,care and concern about what the dog grooming school if all about. All students receive all the attention and instruction you need to succed in the profession, both during class and well into your career, if you so choose to persue it, as I did. The lecturers are outstanding,and Teri is able to put together some of the best professionals in the industry. People who are breeders, top veteranarians, dog show judges,massage therapists, whose teaching was full of information in there field and how it pertains to the animal grooming business. When I think back to what was offered at this school, I got more than I ever expected to get, and still get the support from the day I graduated. Teri has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the business,and would never hesitate to help anyone of the students during class or after class. I know that for some of my class mates,she found affordable places for them to stay, where they could get part time jobs while attending school,and most all of the graduates ,she found jobs for that were well paying. She even had a leacturer who was a Chartered Account speak to the class about opening your own salon. I checked other schools out before deciding on the Academy of Animal Arts..I'm not sure any of them even came close to what was offered here. Corrine, Teri's lead instructor, is a wonderful,caring patient teacher,whom I understand that Teri taught and brought her up into the school as a young girl. Corrine was like a Teri double. The instruction I have recieved while at the school has changed my life...I have a succesful grooming business,with successful groomers, 2 of which are graduates of Teri's school also. There were no cockroaches,or bugs, only animals that had as much fun being there as we as students were. I'm thankful I attended the Academy of Animal Arts,and would not hesitate to recommend the school and its faculty of fine people, who compliment the school and the industry. Thanks again Teri/Corrine for all you and yours have done to make my career a success over the years. Cindy S more

I LOVED THE REVIEW FROM YUKONBOB. I GRADUATED FROM ACADEMY OF ANIMAL ARTS IN 2002. I AM BEING GENEROUS IN GIVING THE SCHOOL A TWO STAR RATING. TERRI WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ALONG WITH. I FOUND HER TO BE AN EXCELLENT GROOMER, AND, THANK GOD, SHE WAS VERY NICE TO THE ANIMALS. THE STUDENTS, HOWEVER, WERE ANOTHER STORY - UNLESS YOU WERE A PET OF HERS. YOU NEVER KNEW WHAT MOOD YOU'D FIND HER IN AND SHE COULD BE VERY MEAN TO THE STUDENTS. I ALSO FELT SHE HAD SERIOUS TRUST ISSUES - THOUGHT EVERYONE WAS STEALING FROM HER, ETC. I DID NOT NOTICE COCKROACHES OR UNCLEANLINESS DURING MY EXPERIENCE. I DO KNOW THAT SHORTLY AFTER I GRADUATED, TWO OF THE STUDENTS LEFT THE SCHOOL PRIOR TO GRADUATING AS SHE MADE THEIR EXPERIENCE SO MISERABLE. AND FREE LABOR - ABSOLUTELY. SHE'D ASK STUDENTS TO BATHE OR ASSIST DURING HOURS THE SCHOOL WAS NOT IN SESSION - NO CREDIT FOR HOURS AND NO PAY, BUT SHE SAID, ""FOR EXTRA EXPERIENCE"". UNLESS YOU ARE EXTREMELY TOUGH SKINNED OR A BROWN NOSER, FIND SOME OTHER GROOMING SCHOOL TO ATTEND. more

Every moment at Academy of Animal Arts was a blessing! Corrine is a loving wonderful teacher who spends special time to be sure you understand everything in the career field. She's so intuitive that she can tell when people want to be challenged or NEED to be challenged like in my case. She is always open to questions and willing to help every student. I thought doing the same thing over and over again would become boring after a while but not there! Everyday is a new dog and everyday is a different hair cut and a new skill to learn and put an artist's touch on. And that's exactly what grooming is. it's an ART. It's an art that becomes a passion once you start learning at AAA. You never want to leave!!! in fact I cried on my last day after they brought out the graduation cake for me! Teri, the owner, is a wonderful sweet woman who is just and fair in every situation. She is never biased but always puts the safety and integrity of the students, the customers, and the animals first. Any reviews that say they had a ""terrible experience"" is simply because they did not meet the standards that are explained thoroughly during orientation. AND THESE ARE NOT HARD TO FOLLOW!! without them the class would be disruptive and people like me who want to learn and be challenged will not be able to meet their potential. it's because of these standards that It's a safe and loving environment at AAA that is full of laughter and excitement. You'll realize once you start that you just made the best decision of your life. If you want to pursue your dreams, love on some dogs, and make some lasting friendships and memories in the process, then head on over to Academy of Animal Arts. You'll be grateful you did! more

If you have another choice, take it! The ""Director"", Teri is an abusive, lying, bi-polar nutcase who will take your money and threaten to throw you out on a whim. Trust me; it more