Angela Forrester, CCMS
President4APGA@gmail.com

After her two whippets steered her towards a major career change, Angela started in the dog care industry in 2005 with no regrets.

She started off working at an extremely busy boarding/training/grooming facility where the owner previously worked with wolves. Working there was an incredible education. With so many dogs to observe and a great interpreter, Angela received an accelerated education in dog behaviour and care.

Angela now owns her own grooming shop in rural New Brunswick, where she is a solo groomer. Her emphasis is on running a calm shop, with one-on-one, low stress grooming. She completed her CCMS title in 2017 and carried on to become a CPPS Certifier. Angela offers coaching for professional groomers who want to improve their skills or prepare for certifications.

Her pastimes are centred around horses, dogs, water sports and just anything to do with her sweet Borzoi Yeva.

“My interests in starting the Atlantic Professional Groomer’s Association root in a desire to raise our industry to a higher level. If we help each other, it makes us all better!”

Jennifer SInclair, CCMS
VicePresident4APGA@gmail.com

Jenn has been working in the pet industry in Nova Scotia since 2007 with experience in large doggy daycare, retail management of a pet boutique and grooming salon, and has owned her own grooming business since 2013.

Jennifer obtained her Canadian Canine Master Stylist level of Certification in January of 2016 before going on to After that she become a Senior Certifier for the Canadian Professional Pet Stylists.

Currently, Jenn grooms from her quiet home shop in Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia, and offers continuing education workshops and coaching for groomers and shops throughout the year while continuing to pursue continuing education for herself as often as she can.

When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her two dogs as well as painting. Of creating the APGA, Jenn says “my hope is that by forming this association, we can collectively reach new levels of professionalism through continued education, representation and support.”

Nicole Mackenzie
Treasurer4APGA@gmail.com

Nicole has been a professional groomer since graduating in 2000 from Pampered Paws Grooming School in Toronto, Ontario.

After working in a vet clinic as a vet tech and part-time groomer for several years, Nicole pursued her dream of opening her own pet grooming business. In June of 2006, Grooming Tails Pet Salon opened in Fredericton. Although Nicole grooms all breeds of dogs, she has special love for cat grooming.

Nicole enjoys continuing her grooming education, travelling, relaxing at the lake, singing, musical theatre, dance, art, and any podcast that has to do with professional business development.

Nicole is glad to volunteer to be part of the APGA as she feels continued education and networking opportunities are is lacking in Atlantic Canada. Nicole hopes to contribute to that by expanding her business and establishing her own grooming school. Being part of this association only strengthens her desire to make our industry better by educating future groomers with a higher standard.

Nicole says, “I have taken so much pleasure in meeting and learning from many groomers over the years and can not wait to learn from and meet more. I hope this association will give groomers a voice for important topics that involve our profession and livelihood.”

Danielle Wilson, CCMS
Sectetary4APGA@gmail.com

Danielle’s grooming career started in 2014 when she opened her grooming studio, Muddy Paws. She has always loved animals and dreamed of a career where she could work with animals everyday, but hadn’t considered grooming until she took her dog, Sonny, to a groomer for the first time. She realized there was so much more to it than just bathing and brushing and clipping!

Wanting to learn more, Danielle took a 3 month grooming course at Elite Dog Grooming Academy in Moncton while also shadowing Angela at Posh Pet Grooming Studio. It was there that she learned about the Canadian Professional Pet Stylists (CPPS); the only nation-wide certifying association in Canada. Danielle started her journey with CPPS shortly after, and in December 2021, she obtained her Canadian Canine Master Stylist certification. Danielle has learned so much throughout the certification process and she encourages all groomers to try it!

When Danielle is not working in the studio she is a busy wife and Mom of two daughters, Eloise and Josephine. Danielle's pastimes consist of walks in the woods with Sonny and horseback riding.

"I believe the Atlantic Professional Groomer's Association will elevate the grooming industry by providing support and education to all groomers. Sharing knowledge makes us all better!"

Anette Wagner
Info4APGA@gmail.com

Annette is a graduate of St.Francis Xavier University and spent many years as a stay at home Mom to her two now grown sons. She lives in Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton with her husband and their diva Bichon Frise named Laudie.

Annette has always felt an affinity with animals and in 2018 she decided to follow her bliss and attend grooming school to become a dog groomer. Upon graduation she opened her own shop where she offers exclusive one-on-one grooming in a quiet spa-like atmosphere complete with aromatherapy and calming background music to maximize the comfort of each pup.

Annette loves to further her education by attending grooming seminars where she can connect and interact with like minded groomers, saying “I am honoured to be a founding member of the APGA and my desire is for the association to be a unified voice where groomers support other groomers on their quest towards professional skills development.”