ABOUT US
The Professional Pet Groomer’s Association, India (PPGAI) is founded and managed by a group of enthusiastic, certified groomers, who believe in informed, educated and ethical grooming of pets. The objective of this association is to help, support and educate groomers to be at par with their international peers. The PPGAI is a forum for educated groomers to update their skills through seminars, contests and interactions between knowledgeable peers. The association will also be involved in certifying interested pet groomers, salons and educational institutions, by testing and verifying skills for the certification required.
Founder
ANDREA CYRILL KHURANA, ICMG
(President)
Andrea has been part of the pet grooming industry since 2008. Her company, Petsburgh, was the first to launch and successfully manage a mobile pet grooming service in Mumbai back in 2008. At present, Andrea successfully operates an Internationally Certified Pet Grooming School (Pets Icon Grooming Academy, India), Petsburgh Pet Spa and, Boarding & Daycare center in Andheri west, Mumbai. Andrea has been recognized and applauded by various business and media groups like, Mid-Day, DNA (Daily News & Analysis), Radio City, NDTV, CNBC, and ET Now, for her entrepreneurial contribution to the pet grooming industry in India. Andrea has trained in Professional Pet Grooming from a number of well-reputed grooming institutions around the world and has participated and won placements in various international grooming contests as well. ​Andrea is an International Certified Master Groomer from IPG, USA, Internationally Certificated Groomer from The Grooming School, Australia; She is a certified Show Groomer from Pets Icon, Malaysia; and an Internationally Certified Grooming Instructor (from AIPG, Australia and PIGA, Malaysia). Andrea is also certified in Pet First Aid (from PetMedics, Australia and AKC, USA) and is a qualified Veterinary assistant. Her belief is that education is an ongoing process and no one is ever too smart to learn something new, no matter how much experience or education one already has. Her incentive to launch and be part the Professional Pet Groomers Association, India, is to help Indian groomers make a mark in the rapidly growing international pet grooming industry and to proudly place India on the World Grooming Map!
MEEHNAAZ KHAN (Vice President)
Meet Meehnaaz, a nationally recognised pet groomer with over 10 yrs of experience in the industry. She has always had an immense love for animals, which led her to pursue a career in pet grooming. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Meehnaaz has honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of various breeds and their specification grooming requirements.
Not only is Meehnaaz an experienced groomer, but she is also a national level grooming instructor and trainer, helping to educate and mentor other aspiring groomers.
Best known for her skills in Cat Grooming, Meehnaaz runs a pet salon name FURRYBELLS PET GROOMING SPA AND ACADEMY (Named after her own beloved cat) which is located in Bangalore.
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CALVIN SALINS (Treasurer)
From early on in his life, Calvin has had an immense love for animals. As a child he would hide stray puppies in a corner in the garden and feed them and nurture them like a human child. He was always known as a dog lover in his area. Calvin has worked as an Animal Activist for People for Animals. He has a Bachelor's degree in Management Studies specialising in Marketing, and a Post Graduation in International Tourism and Human Resource Management. He worked for a well-reputed organisation but still felt something missing. It was then that he decided to move on and persue his passion. He then studied further and Graduated in Advance Pet Grooming and Styling from the Country’s only Internationally Certified Grooming School, Petsburgh. He further did a course in Professional Dog Training from One of Asia's top and Best Training School Canine's Can Care and got trained under one of the Worlds 8th top Trainer and Behaviourist, Mrs. Shirin Merchant. Calvin is now a Certified Professional Pet Groomer and Professional Canine Trainer. He successfully runs his company, WAGOLOGISTS, which has an advanced Grooming Center, Canine Training School, Day Care and Boarding Center, and a Veterinary Clinic.
JOYCE ALVARES (Secretary)
Joyce Alvares is the proud owner of Joyce’s Pet Spa with an experience of over 8 years in Pet Grooming. Born and raised in the busiest city known "Mumbai", she graduated Double Major in Economics and Sociology from Sophie College yet chose to follow her passion and love for animals. She understands the need of pets for care and attention and believes in providing IN-HOUSE grooming to all her clients which is one of a kind. Joyce is professionally trained in pet grooming from NASH Academy of Animal Arts, Kentucky. She participates in National Pet Grooming Competitions every opportunity she gets. She understands that pet grooming services have become a necessity. From a common man to a celebrity, everyone wants their pet to look the best.
SADHWI SONDHI (Committee Member)
Sadhwi Sondhi has been working in the pet industry for over 10 years, starting with her non profit charity Red Paws Rescue aimed to help take care of street animals in New Delhi, India. She then went on to certify in Professional Dog Grooming in London, England and came back to set up her own grooming salon Red Paws Pet Spa & Shop in the heart of Indian's capital city. Sadhwi's aim was to provide grooming services by passionate and professionally trained groomers where the main priority is the welfare of the animal above all else. ​Sadhwi continues to provide quality grooming services through her two salon outlets in New Delhi and strives to make the streets safer for the animals that call it their home through the work done by her non profit charity Red Paws Rescue.
