College Certificate – Pet Grooming (1549)

The Pet Grooming one-year (two-term) Ontario College Certificate program prepares students for careers as professional pet groomers or salon entrepreneurs. The curriculum combines animal handling, feline and canine grooming techniques, skin and coat health evaluation, and essential small business management.

Students gain hands-on clinical experience in the student-run Conestoga Pet Grooming Clinic, applying technical grooming cuts and sanitation protocols with actual client pets. Graduates can also leverage academic pathways to transition into the Veterinary Assistant Certificate program.

Academic Qualification: High School / Grade 12 completion. (Prior experience through pet ownership or work/volunteering in the animal industry is strongly recommended.)

Minimum GPA: 50.0%

Minimum Language Test Scores:

• IELTS: 6.0

• TOEFL: 80.0

• PTE: 53.0

• Duolingo: 110

Conditional Admission: Available for applicants who do not meet language proficiency scores by completing designated English pathway courses prior to full academic enrollment. Direct admission applicants missing language test results must provide valid scores prior to receiving a final offer letter.

Value: $1,500 – $2,500 CAD (automatically applied after Day 10 of the term).

Award Breakdown:

70% – 79% average: $1,500 CAD

80% – 89% average: $2,000 CAD

90% – 100% average: $2,500 CAD

Eligibility Criteria:

Open to all nationalities.

Must be enrolled in Year 1 of an eligible degree program across any Conestoga campus (Fall, Winter, or Spring terms).

Minimum 70% admission average required.

Exclusion: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) students are ineligible.

Maintenance Requirement: Continuing students must maintain a minimum 70% Program Weighted Average to retain funding.