This month American Grooming Academy is celebrating our military! We thought it was a great idea because NOW military spouses can come to American Grooming Academy under the  Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) and have up to $4,000 paid towards their tuition! American Grooming Academy was approved by the military spouses assistance program, so we are going to celebrate an AGA alumna who never thought she would be the focus of this months Academy Newsletter!

Allison Greer came to American Grooming Academy to learn a trade right out of high school. She had received money for college and deciding that the traditional university was not the right fit for her, she came to AGA with bright eyes ready to learn. Allison was also the very first student to graduate the Advance Professional Pet Stylist program, making her not only very special but very loved by American Grooming Academy instructor Kat Marchant. “I pushed Al, I pushed her hard to be better, even when she cried or got frustrated. She learned to handle any situation, preparing her for a life long career in the pet care industry. She is still not only my best accomplishment, but also my best friend.”

Shortly after graduating Allison was hired by American Grooming Academy. After some time Allison and high school sweetheart Alex St. Yves were engaged. Another life step had occurred shortly there after, Alex had joined the Army. After their wedding Allison and Alex were separated. He went to boot camp, she stayed in California and continued to work at AGA.

“The hardest thing about being a military spouse is being away from my husband and the last minute changes. One day you aren’t going anywhere and the next day you are moving.”

That was never more true than when Alex got his orders and they were moving to Florida. Leaving her family, friends and career, Allison found herself a military wife, with no job to go to. “Allison is very talented so we made a few calls and found her a position in no time.” said Instructor Kat. Allison worked for the next year and a half, then in late June another life step, Allison and Alex were going to be parents. After a rough first few months Allison’s pregnancy became her new normal. Just when life started to settle down again, another change, Alex was being moved to North Carolina. So the St. Yves family, Allison, Alex, Rolo, Twix and Reese Pieces (the St. Yves three dogs) moved to North Carolina, and again Allison was forced to find another place to work. She transferred to another job and the next routine started to come along, that’s also when the youngest St. Yves decided to change up a few things! Grayson arrived in March! Becoming parents was amazing for these two, and Allison decided that she was still going to work after Grayson was born! She works on weekends and Alex is on duty during the week! Allison never could have imagined that when she made the choice to come to AGA that we would follow her. Well follow her we did. Best friend and instructor Kat Marchant interviewed Allison to get her assessment of AGA’s big news!

When asked what would be a deciding factor to come to AGA?

“One deciding factor is definitely my love for animals, I love working with them and I always will. Another deciding factor for me would be you can groom anywhere you go, there is always a salon looking for a stylist”

What benefits does being a Certified Advance Professional Pet Stylist give you as a military spouse?

“Being an Advance Professional Pet Stylist I have a variety of skill sets from hand stripping, to clipper work, to scissor work which gives me the option to work anywhere from a boarding facility, high end salon, or corporate salon. Which is helpful when you move around so much.”

Being the very first graduate of the Advanced Professional Pet Stylist Program at American Grooming Academy makes you special, What advice would you give future students regarding becoming a pet stylist?

“Kat always told me “Work smarter not harder” and I use that as a guideline to this day. Stay patient, if a dog is being difficult take minute and breathe. Dogs can sense your irritation, the calmer you are the better groomer you will be and lastly ALWAYS look to improve, no one is perfect and there is always room to grow in this business.”

When asked about her future plans.

“ I plan on continuing my career as a stylist and hopefully staying in north carolina for the next 2 years, I try to take it a day at a time because nothing is concrete in the military.”

American Grooming Academy is very proud of Allison St. Yves. We are also proud to be recognized by the military for our program.