A talented lecturer from Solihull College & University Centre has earned international recognition after securing second place in a prestigious dog grooming competition.
Dog grooming tutor, Alice Cassell, competed against professional groomers from across the globe in the Pet Stylist Groom Off competition. Taking part in the competition’s Chronic Warriors category, Alice was required to complete a live groom via video, showcasing her skills on Coco, a cockerpoo.
Despite it being her first-ever competition, Alice impressed the judges and was delighted to be awarded second place. She comments: “I am really proud of myself for taking the leap and giving competing a go! To come 2nd in my first ever competition has been a massive confidence boost. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and appreciate the amazing feedback I got from a very talented judge!”
Alice brings more than 12 years of professional grooming experience to her role at the College and also runs her own grooming business, The Pet Palace in Shard End.
At college, Alice helps dog owners develop practical grooming skills through the College’s range of dog grooming courses. One of the most popular options is a one-to-one grooming session, where owners work alongside Alice to groom their own dog with expert guidance and support throughout.
Alice comments: “The one-to-one session is designed for owners and their dogs and it’s a great way to maintain their coat at home and get the finished look you want for your pet. It’s also a great way to groom your dog if they are anxious going to the groomers.”
The practical sessions are designed to help owners build confidence in grooming techniques while strengthening the bond with their pet and ensuring dogs remain comfortable in a familiar environment.
Following her international competition success, Alice is already looking ahead to future events and hopes to encourage the College’s students to experience the excitement of competing themselves.
The College offers a variety of dog grooming courses for both aspiring professionals and pet owners, providing hands-on training in industry-standard facilities from experienced tutors with extensive industry expertise.
