Josée Langille has had a strong love for animals from a very young age and dreamed of becoming a dog groomer for over 10 years. Her passion was solidified while working as a veterinary assistant, where she discovered that grooming was the perfect way to combine hands-on care, compassion, and animal wellbeing.

She was actively involved in 4-H for many years, participating in projects including rabbit, sheep, beef, light horse, and dog obedience, and gaining experience working with oxen. These early experiences helped shape her well-rounded understanding of animal care.

Josée began her grooming journey in 2022 through an online diploma program with JKL Grooming Academy and further developed her skills by shadowing Lisa Monteath-Dickie. She is Fear Free trained and is currently working toward her certification with the Canadian Professional Pet Stylists (CPPS), with a strong commitment to continued education and growth within the industry.

In 2024, Josée opened her own home-based grooming business in a quiet country setting in Hemford, Nova Scotia, allowing her to provide a calm, low-stress environment for pets while raising her two young children with her husband.

Outside of grooming, she competes in agility with her two Border Collies, Gunner and Verb, and enjoys exploring lots of other dog sports. 

Josée is passionate about supporting fellow groomers, promoting education, and helping elevate industry standards.n goes here

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
Info4APGA@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!"

Kyla Jardine
Secretary4apga@gmail.com

Growing up in the home of a CKC registered breeder Kyla has, in some aspect, been in the pet industry for as long as she can remember. 

While attending UNB Fredericton she worked at a locally owned pet food store gaining much invaluable knowledge during her seven years there.  In 2014, Kyla moved with her husband and two children back to their hometown of Miramichi, New Brunswick where she started as a part time groomers assistant to her mother whom has been grooming professionally since 2000. She likes to say that she couldn't fight what she was always meant to do and left her job to apprentice full time in 2017 and opened her own salon, The Fairy DogMother, in 2019. 

When she's not working with her full list of clients, Kyla enjoys a reading good book, paddleboarding, camping, and being silly with her teenagers while they still want to. 

"I have met such wonderful people through grooming that have gifted me with so much knowledge and mentorship throughout the years. When a position on the Board for the APGA became available I was thrilled at the opportunity to contribute in a different way to something I've believed in and been a member of since its induction.”