TCGS Event III Schedule and Class Descriptions 
The Cat Gurus of TCGS are dedicated to helping cat groomers like you. All of the Event III classes have been developed to address some of the most important aspects of working with our feline friends and their unique guardians. Register now to experience a weekend of education and camaraderie with experts who are passionate about compassionate cat care.
We are planning a Meet & Greet party for Friday, August 1, 2014. More details to be announced!
Saturday, August 2nd
8:30am – 9:00am Coffee & Cat Chat
Enjoy complimentary morning refreshments and good conversation with longtime and new cat-loving friends. Be sure to wear your name badge so we can all get to know each other better.
9:00am – 10:00am Feline Psychology and Behavior with Stacey Ward
Knowing what motivates, frightens, and comforts a cat is the basis for providing compassionate care. Once a groomer understands how to see the world ‘through the cat’s eyes’, the needs of the cat can be met in ways that promote trust and cooperation.
10:00am – 10:15am Creating a Positive Environment with Stacey Ward
Cats are hypersensitive, sentient beings with typically intense reactions to stimuli. Stacey shares 15 tips in 15 minutes that can be easily implemented in a variety of grooming environments. Increase the comfort of your groom cats by reducing their anxiety.
10:15am – 10:30am Morning Break
10:30am – 12:00pm The Holistic Approach to Cat Grooming with Sheryl Woods
This lecture will cover the theory behind the holistic approach, handling methods, and the grooming environment. Holistic therapies will be introduced.
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch
TCGS sponsors lunch for all attendees. Please note any special diet restrictions in advance. Special requests can be easily accommodated.
1:00pm – 2:30pm Product Safety for Cats and Groomers with Kirstine Reynolds
Knowing what ingredients are in the products we use every day is critical to our health and the health of the pets in our care. Kirstine breaks down the science terms into easy-to-understand language. You will be amazed to discover what she’s uncovered through years of extensive research. Undoubtedly, this is one of our most popular classes!
2:30pm – 2:45pm Afternoon Break
2:45pm – 4:15pm Purrsonality Grooming Styles and Handling Techniques with Stacey Ward
The grooming style for a cat should be about beauty, function and personal need. There are specific benefits, and some drawbacks, to each style choice. Modifying the coat in a variety of ways can be about aesthetics or may be an issue of ‘humanity over vanity’. Help your clients determine the best look for their cat and the best ways to execute that finish. Learn how to assess which cats are good candidates for particular options.
4:15pm – 5:30pm Feline Design Creative Grooming with Katrina Henrie
This class is meant to inspire fellow groomers with the desire and know how to enhance their feline creative grooming. There is more available to groomers now than ever before, and with that comes the responsibility to do it safely and humanely. We will cover:
- Creative grooming, the different types and thinking outside the box
- The Do’s and Don’ts of creative grooming, specifically relating to felines
- What we can offer clients and when we should say no
- Feline safe products and what to avoid
- How to’s and demos: dye, blo pens, bling, and accessories
Sunday, August 3rd
8:30am – 9:00am Coffee & Cat Chat
Enjoy complimentary morning refreshments and good conversation with longtime and new cat-loving friends. Be sure to wear your name badge so we can all get to know each other better.
9:00am – 9:45am Client Communication with Stacey Ward and Sheryl Woods
Working with pets includes dealing with the needs of our human clients, too. Many times that can be the most frustrating part of our day. Effective communication with clients is absolutely necessary. Through role-playing a variety of scenarios, Stacey and Sheryl demonstrate ways to listen and be heard. Get ready to laugh as you learn our secrets of persuasive dialogue.
9:45am – 10:45am Cat Skin and Hair with Kirstine Reynolds
The skin and hair of cats is uniquely different than any other animal. Once you understand how they function, you can more easily achieve the desired results you and your clients expect.
10:45am – 11:00am Morning Break
11:00am – 12:00pm The Fragile Feline – Grooming Geriatric and Special Needs Cats with Daryl Conner
It happens to every cat groomer at some point… they are presented with a truly antique cat to groom. Loose skin, poor muscle tone, no “padding” over the bones, and often matted because the cat can no longer bend and flex to care for its own coat at all. Then there are special needs cats; those with physical problems, psychological issues, or both! These can be situations fraught with dangers, but there are steps that can be taken to help insure a positive outcome for everyone. This power point class will help you build strategies and learn tips to help the next time you are challenged with a “special” cat to beautify.
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch
TCGS sponsors lunch for all attendees. Please note any special diet restrictions in advance. Special requests are easily accommodated.
1:00pm – 2:00pm Feline Nutrition Basics with Sheryl Woods
Nutrition basics will cover physiology and what a cat requires for optimal health and what can be harmful. How to decode a label, marketing tricks, and calculating nutritional value. Are vitamins and supplements needed? Symptoms of inadequate nutrition. Raw feeding basics.
2:00pm – 3:00pm Grooming Emergencies with Daryl Conner
In an ideal world every cat would calmly accept the grooming process and every grooming experience would be completed with ease. In reality, accidents happen, and when cats are concerned these accidents can span from a “quicked” claw to something far more serious. In this class you will learn how to minimize the chance of a mishap, as well as how to proceed in a kind, compassionate and professional manner if things do go wrong. As a veterinarian once said, “Groomers work with sharp tools and moving targets, accidents will happen!” Having a plan in place for when they do makes good sense and can help you feel more confident, too.
3:00pm – 3:15pm Afternoon Break
3:15pm – 4:30pm Felt A Feline! with Ellen Ehrlich
You too can be a fiber artist! Have some fun wool felting the cutest kitty ever! Once you learn the basics of needle felting you can make almost anything. Attendees will receive and keep all the tools and supplies they need to create a kitty keepsake they will treasure. Included is an informative handout, wool, cookie cutter, felting needle and pad. Ellen will also bring a variety of hair bows that you can make yourself in a snap that are just purr-fect for your furry friends. This class is limited to 24 students.
4:30pm – 5:30pm Roundtable Discussion with the Cat Gurus
This is an open forum for questions and answers about all things related to cats and their grooming care. In addition, attendees can submit video footage for Groom Review™.