26 ACADA - PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMING STANDARDS

(a)Educational Authorship. These Standards are published by the American Canine and Animal Dressing Academy as educational industry guidance for safer, more consistent animal care practices in commercial grooming operations.

(b)Scope of Application. This chapter is intended for grooming professionals, mobile grooming services, salons, pet care businesses, educators, veterinary-adjacent service providers, boarding facilities, and other organizations developing grooming-related policies, SOPs, training materials, and safety practices.

(c)Educational Use. The Standards may be used by ACADA students, program completers, registry participants, independent professionals, and businesses that choose to reference or adopt them.

(d)Professional Development Focus. These Standards serve as educational benchmarks for professional learning, consumer education, insurance discussion, and industry safety planning. They do not replace applicable law, veterinary care, employer policy, manufacturer instructions, or professional judgment.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1A - Career Foundation and Scope of Practice

For purposes of this chapter:

(a)"ACADA Program Completer" means an individual who has completed an ACADA educational program or track identified by ACADA records.

(b)"ACADA Registry Participant" means an individual or business listed by ACADA in a directory, registry, verification page, or other public-facing record according to ACADA policy and applicable agreement terms.

(c)"Client Animal" means any domestic animal presented for grooming services by its owner or authorized agent.

(d)"Commercial Grooming Operation" means any business or facility that provides grooming services for compensation.

(e)"Heat Stress Indicators" means visible signs that may suggest thermal distress and should trigger stop-service, owner communication, and veterinary referral when appropriate.

(f)"Professional Grooming" means the practice of bathing, brushing, nail trimming, external ear cleaning, coat care, and coat styling for commercial purposes within non-veterinary grooming scope.

(g)"Secondary Species" means rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, reptiles, and other non-canine/feline animals presented for grooming-related services.

(a)Educational Standards Adoption. ACADA encourages grooming professionals and businesses to use these Standards as educational reference material when developing animal-safety practices, training, SOPs, and client communication.

(b)Program and Registry Recognition. Individuals who complete ACADA educational requirements may be identified in ACADA records, certificates, directories, registry listings, or verification tools according to ACADA policy and applicable agreement terms.

(c)Professional Development Support. ACADA may provide continuing education, standards updates, registry tools, and professional development resources to support current knowledge and safer practice.

(d)ACADA Role. ACADA is an educational organization and registry operator, not a governmental regulator, licensing board, veterinary decision-maker, franchisor, or employer of independent grooming businesses. Business licensing, legal obligations, employment decisions, insurance requirements, and professional practice oversight remain with the appropriate governmental, legal, business, veterinary, and contractual parties.

(a)Program Completion. ACADA may recognize completion of educational programs, tracks, modules, assessments, continuing education, or other learning requirements according to ACADA records and applicable program policies.

(1)Completion of ACADA Generalist PET Track or other identified learning sequences may support ACADA certificates, records, directory listings, registry status, or verification tools.

(2)ACADA educational recognition does not replace business licensing, legal duties, insurance requirements, employer training, veterinary supervision where required, or jurisdiction-specific rules.

(b)Industry Recommendation. ACADA recommends that all grooming professionals pursue education appropriate to the species and services they provide and maintain documentation of training, continuing education, and safety practice.

(c)Curriculum Reference. Modules 1A-1I - Foundation Training Requirements

(a)Canine Services Education. Grooming professionals providing canine services should complete education appropriate to canine handling, coat care, safety, observation, sanitation, client communication, and referral boundaries.

(b)Feline Services Education. Grooming professionals providing feline services should complete education appropriate to feline handling, stress recognition, restraint limits, safety, and referral boundaries.

(c)Mobile Operations Education. Grooming professionals providing mobile services should complete education appropriate to vehicle safety, water and waste handling, generator/electrical safety, environmental conditions, and emergency planning.

(d)Secondary Species Education. Grooming professionals providing services for rabbits, birds, reptiles, or other non-canine/feline animals should complete species-appropriate education and should limit services to non-medical tasks that can be performed safely.

(e)Customer Relations Education. Grooming professionals in management or client-facing roles should complete education appropriate to client communication, documentation, incident response, and professional boundaries.

(f)Service Limitation. Training in grooming or handling does not represent veterinary specialty credentials. Complex medical, behavioral, or species-specialist cases should be referred to appropriate veterinary or specialist care.

(g)Curriculum Reference. All PET Tracks as specified by ACADA curriculum records

(a)Authorized Activities. Professional grooming practitioners may perform:

(1)Bathing and shampooing

(2)Brushing and combing

(3)Nail trimming and filing

(4)Ear cleaning (external only)

(5)Coat cutting and styling

(6)Basic coat conditioning

(b)Prohibited Activities. Professional grooming practitioners shall not:

(1)Diagnose medical conditions

(2)Prescribe or administer medications

(3)Perform surgical procedures

(4)Treat wounds or injuries

(5)Provide behavioral modification therapy requiring veterinary oversight

(6)Sedate animals without veterinary authorization and supervision

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 1A - Career Foundation and Scope of Practice

(a)Mandatory Veterinary Referral. Practitioners must immediately refer to licensed veterinary care any animal presenting:

(1)Signs of illness or injury

(2)Heat stress or respiratory distress per § 300.2

(3)Behavioral abnormalities indicating medical distress

(4)Skin conditions beyond normal grooming scope

(b)Documentation. All referrals must be documented per § 900.3.

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 1H - Observational Animal Health

(a)Pre-Service Review. Before accepting or beginning a grooming service, grooming professionals should review whether the service is appropriate for the animal, the staff member's training, available equipment, facility conditions, owner-provided information, and access to emergency veterinary guidance if needed.

(1)Review may include species, breed, coat condition, age, size, temperament, owner-reported health concerns, handling tolerance, service requested, and known safety limitations.

(2)When staff are unfamiliar with a species, breed, coat type, service, or handling concern, they should research reliable sources before service or decline, modify, reschedule, or refer the case.

(3)Pre-service review is not a medical examination and should not be represented as diagnosis, treatment planning, or veterinary clearance.

(b)AI-Assisted Research. AI tools may be used to organize questions, identify possible source paths, translate non-client-facing research material, or summarize information for further verification.

(1)AI output should be verified against authoritative sources before it affects animal handling, service selection, safety procedures, client communication, or training material.

(2)AI should not determine animal health suitability, diagnose conditions, recommend treatment, replace veterinary guidance, or override staff observation and professional judgment during service.

(3)When AI-assisted research materially affects a safety practice or service decision, the business should retain enough source notes to identify what was checked and which authoritative sources were relied upon.

(c)Decision Boundary. Final grooming decisions should be based on training, observation, owner information, verified sources, equipment/facility limits, and veterinary referral when safety is uncertain.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 1B - Legal Framework and Business Establishment

(a)Continuing Education. Grooming professionals should maintain current knowledge through continuing education, practical skill development, safety updates, species-specific learning, manufacturer instructions, and review of reliable animal-care sources.

(b)ACADA Records. ACADA may maintain program completion, continuing education, assessment, registry, directory, or verification records according to ACADA policy and applicable agreement terms.

(c)Business Records. Grooming businesses should maintain practical training records for staff duties, equipment use, sanitation, chemical handling, incident response, animal observation, and species or service limitations.

(d)Current Practice. New equipment, new services, secondary species, safety incidents, product changes, and updated source material should trigger review of staff training and business procedures.

(e)Curriculum Reference. All applicable PET Track modules

(a)Professional Responsibility. Grooming professionals should provide services within their training, experience, equipment limits, facility limits, business policies, and applicable law.

(b)Legal and Business Duties. Grooming businesses are responsible for identifying and following federal, state, local, licensing, zoning, employment, tax, wastewater, animal-welfare, and other legal or business requirements that apply to their operation.

(c)Professional Judgment. Grooming decisions should be based on training, observation, owner information, verified sources, manufacturer instructions, and veterinary referral when needed. External AI tools, informal advice, or unsupported summaries should not override safety observations or professional judgment.

(d)ACADA Standards Use. These Standards are educational guidance for developing safer practices and do not create government rules, legal advice, veterinary instructions, employment rules, or universal business requirements.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1B - Legal Framework and Business Establishment

(a)Temperature Awareness. Grooming businesses should monitor environmental conditions, drying equipment, bathing water, and heated surfaces in a manner appropriate to their services, equipment, facility layout, and the animals being handled.

(1)Work areas should be observed for heat, humidity, poor airflow, or equipment conditions that could increase animal stress during bathing, drying, holding, or restraint.

(2)As an operating guardrail, areas where animals are bathed, dried, held, or restrained should receive additional review when ambient temperature approaches or exceeds 85°F, when relative humidity is high, when ventilation is poor, or when conditions fall below 50°F for animals that are young, elderly, sick, injured, short-coated, toy-sized, brachycephalic, not acclimated, or otherwise temperature-sensitive.

(3)When ambient temperature reaches 85°F or higher in an animal work area or mobile grooming vehicle, staff should provide additional ventilation or cooling, reduce heat-producing services, and reassess whether bathing, drying, holding, or restraint can continue safely for the individual animal.

(4)Animals with visible risk factors or signs of distress, including excessive or uncontrolled panting, weakness, collapse, disorientation, vomiting, diarrhea, or respiratory difficulty, should be removed from heat or drying exposure and referred for veterinary guidance or care.

(5)Temperature monitoring should be treated as a safety practice, not as a medical assessment by the groomer.

(b)Heated Equipment and Water Safety. Dryers, bathing systems, heated surfaces, and other temperature-producing equipment should be used according to manufacturer instructions and checked before use for safe operation.

(1)Staff should verify that equipment controls, heat settings, airflow, hoses, nozzles, and shutoff features are functioning before exposing an animal to heated air, water, or surfaces.

(2)Backup temperature checks should be available when equipment readings are unclear, inconsistent, or suspected to be inaccurate.

(3)Equipment that cannot be verified as operating safely should be removed from service until repaired, replaced, or professionally evaluated.

(c)Documentation. Grooming businesses should document significant heat, water-temperature, equipment, or environmental incidents, including the animal observed, conditions noted, action taken, owner communication, and any veterinary referral or recommendation.

(d)Industry Use. This section is published as educational safety guidance for grooming businesses developing their own policies, checklists, training materials, and incident-response practices.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1G - Water Safety and Chemical Handling

(a)Observation Before Service. Before beginning grooming, staff should visually observe the animal and review owner-provided information for conditions that may affect safe handling, bathing, drying, restraint, or service completion.

(1)Observation may include alertness, responsiveness, breathing effort, mobility, coat and skin condition, visible wounds, unusual swelling, signs of pain, signs of heat stress, and owner-reported health concerns.

(2)Groomers should document material observations in plain language and should not diagnose, assign medical meaning, take vital signs as a medical assessment, prescribe treatment, or advise an owner that veterinary care is unnecessary.

(b)Observation During Service. Animals should be monitored during grooming for changes in behavior, breathing, posture, responsiveness, pain, fear, heat stress, or other signs that continued service may be unsafe.

(1)If concerning signs appear, staff should pause or stop the service, reduce the immediate stressor when safe to do so, notify the owner, and refer the animal for veterinary guidance or care.

(2)Possible heat or respiratory distress should be treated as a stop-service condition requiring prompt cooling from environmental heat or drying exposure and veterinary guidance or care.

(c)Scope Boundary. Grooming observations are safety information, not medical diagnoses. Medical questions, treatment decisions, wound care beyond basic pressure for active bleeding, sedation, and advanced first aid remain outside grooming scope.

(d)Documentation. Significant concerns should be documented with the time, condition observed, action taken, owner communication, and any veterinary referral or recommendation.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1H - Observational Animal Health

(a)Drying Safety. Drying equipment should be selected, maintained, and operated in a way that limits heat, airflow, restraint, noise, and duration risks for the individual animal.

(1)Staff should follow manufacturer instructions for setup, maintenance, hose/nozzle use, filter cleaning, electrical safety, heat settings, and any automatic shutoff or safety features.

(2)Drying should be adjusted or stopped when an animal shows distress, respiratory difficulty, overheating signs, panic, weakness, or inability to tolerate the process.

(3)Cage, kennel, or hands-free drying should include frequent observation and should not be used in a way that prevents prompt release or intervention.

(b)Equipment Checks. Dryers should be checked before use for safe airflow, temperature control, hose condition, nozzle condition, filter condition, electrical condition, and shutoff function where applicable.

(c)Service Limitation. Drying is a grooming process, not a medical intervention. Animals showing possible heat stress or respiratory distress should be removed from drying exposure and referred for veterinary guidance or care.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 1E - Tool Awareness for the ACADA Professional

(a)Individual Risk Factors. Temperature-related grooming decisions should account for the animal's species, breed, coat, age, size, body condition, respiratory status, health history reported by the owner, acclimation, stress level, and tolerance during service.

(b)Higher-Risk Animals. Additional caution should be used with brachycephalic animals, elderly animals, very young animals, toy-sized animals, thick-coated animals, dark-coated animals, overweight animals, animals with owner-reported heart or respiratory concerns, and animals showing distress.

(c)Secondary Species. Rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other secondary species should not be treated as small dogs or cats for temperature, drying, restraint, or stress tolerance. Services should be limited to the groomer's training, the animal's tolerance, and veterinary referral when risk is unclear.

(d)Stop-Service Boundary. If temperature, humidity, drying, restraint, or animal condition creates reasonable concern, the service should be paused or stopped and the owner should be referred for veterinary guidance or care.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Modules 1H and 5A - Observational Animal Health and Secondary Species

(a)Stop-Service Trigger. Possible heat stress, respiratory distress, collapse, weakness, disorientation, uncontrolled panting, vomiting, diarrhea, or sudden loss of responsiveness should be treated as a stop-service condition.

(b)Immediate Non-Medical Actions. Staff should remove the animal from heat or drying exposure, move the animal to the coolest safe available area with air circulation, notify the owner, and seek veterinary guidance or care.

(c)Scope Limitation. Groomers should not diagnose heatstroke, take medical control of the case, delay veterinary contact, or represent comfort measures as treatment.

(d)Documentation. The business should document observed signs, environmental conditions if known, equipment involved, actions taken, owner communication, and veterinary referral or instruction.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1H - Observational Animal Health

(a)Least Necessary Restraint. Restraint equipment should be selected and used to prevent escape or injury while minimizing fear, pain, stress, pressure, and duration of restraint.

(1)Loops, leads, tables, tubs, arms, kennels, and other restraint points should be appropriate for the animal's size, condition, behavior, and service being performed.

(2)Quick-release access, clear sight lines, stable attachment points, and the ability to release the animal promptly should be treated as core safety features.

(3)Equipment should not place pressure on the airway, suspend the animal, restrict normal breathing, or prevent prompt response to distress.

(b)Inspection and Fit. Staff should inspect restraint equipment before use and adjust fit during service as needed to maintain animal safety and control.

(c)Stop-Service Boundary. If safe restraint cannot be maintained without excessive force, fear, pain, respiratory compromise, or injury risk, the service should be paused, modified, or stopped.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 1E - Tool Awareness for the ACADA Professional

(a)Unsafe Practices. Grooming businesses should prohibit restraint practices that create foreseeable risk of choking, suspension injury, respiratory compromise, panic, musculoskeletal injury, overheating, or inability to release the animal promptly.

(1)Animals should not be left unattended while restrained on a table, in a tub, during drying, or in any position where movement could cause choking, falling, entanglement, or injury.

(2)Restraint should not be tightened or prolonged as a substitute for stopping, modifying the service, requesting assistance, or referring an unsafe case.

(3)Improvised restraint methods should not be used unless they are safe, humane, promptly releasable, and appropriate to the animal and service.

(b)Escalation. If an animal cannot be safely restrained with ordinary grooming methods, staff should pause or stop the service and discuss alternative handling, rescheduling, veterinary grooming, or other appropriate referral with the owner.

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 1F - Staging, Caging, and Kennel Law

(a)Pre-Use Inspection. Restraint and handling equipment should be inspected before use for wear, damage, insecure attachment, sharp edges, poor fit, malfunction, contamination, or any condition that could create animal or worker injury risk.

(b)Removal From Service. Equipment that cannot be used safely should be removed from service until cleaned, repaired, replaced, or professionally evaluated.

(c)Maintenance Records. Businesses should maintain practical records for significant equipment repairs, replacements, safety removals, and recurring defects.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 1E - Tool Awareness for the ACADA Professional

(a)Species Differences. Restraint should reflect species, size, anatomy, stress response, respiratory risk, and injury risk. Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other animals should not be handled as interchangeable grooming cases.

(b)Training Boundary. Staff should provide only services and restraint methods they are trained to perform safely. When safe handling is uncertain, the service should be limited, paused, or referred.

(c)Referral Boundary. Animals requiring complex restraint, sedation, medical handling, or species-specialist care should be referred to a veterinarian or appropriate specialist rather than forced through a grooming service.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 5A - Secondary Species

(a)Pre-Trip Inspection Requirements.

(1)Mechanical systems check including engine fluids, tire pressure, and electrical systems

(2)Plumbing system verification including water tank levels and pump operation

(3)Electrical system assessment including generator and outlet functionality

(4)Safety equipment inspection including fire extinguisher and first aid supplies

(b)Documentation Requirements.

(1)Written inspection checklists for each system category

(2)Maintenance logs with inspection findings

(3)Deficiency reporting and corrective action records

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 4 - Mobile Operations PET Track

(a)Fresh Water Planning. Mobile and facility-based grooming businesses should maintain water supply practices appropriate to their services, animal volume, equipment, route or facility conditions, and local requirements.

(1)Water used for bathing, rinsing, cleaning, and animal-contact tasks should be suitable for the intended use and protected from contamination.

(2)Water tanks, hoses, fittings, and related equipment should be cleaned, maintained, and inspected according to manufacturer instructions, business use, and applicable local requirements.

(b)Wastewater Handling. Wastewater should be collected, stored, transported, and discharged according to applicable local utility, environmental, health, wastewater, landlord, or business requirements.

(c)Spill and Odor Prevention. Businesses should use practical procedures to reduce leaks, spills, odors, standing water, cross-contamination, and animal or worker exposure to wastewater.

(d)Recordkeeping. Businesses should keep practical records for significant water-system maintenance, wastewater incidents, tank cleaning, or local permit requirements when applicable.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1G - Water Safety and Chemical Handling

(a)Power Generation Requirements.

(1)Adequate electrical capacity for all grooming equipment

(2)GFCI protection on all outlets

(3)Proper ventilation for generator operation

(4)Emergency shut-off procedures

(b)Safety Protocols.

(1)Carbon monoxide detection systems

(2)Fuel storage and handling procedures

(3)Regular electrical system inspection and maintenance

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 4B - Power Generation and Electrical Safety

(a)Service Limitation. Rabbit, guinea pig, ferret, and other small mammal services should be limited to non-medical grooming tasks that can be performed with calm handling, appropriate body support, minimal restraint, and prompt release when stress or injury risk appears.

(b)Rabbit Caution. Rabbits require particular care because improper handling, unsupported movement, panic, or forceful restraint can create serious injury risk. Services should be stopped or referred when safe support cannot be maintained.

(c)Observation and Referral. Visible distress, labored breathing, collapse, injury, severe matting close to skin, skin abnormalities, flystrike concern, dental concern, or other health concerns should be referred to veterinary care rather than managed as routine grooming.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 5A - Small Mammals

(a)Limited Services. Bird services should be limited to tasks the groomer is trained to perform safely and should prioritize minimal handling time, respiratory safety, calm restraint, and prompt release.

(b)Pre-Service Observation. Birds should be visually observed before handling for signs of weakness, respiratory difficulty, abnormal posture, injury, severe stress, or other concerns that make grooming inappropriate.

(c)Stop-Service Boundary. If a bird shows respiratory distress, weakness, collapse, panic, injury, or inability to tolerate handling, service should stop and veterinary guidance or care should be recommended.

(d)Scope Boundary. Wing, beak, nail, feather, skin, or health concerns beyond routine grooming tolerance should be referred to a veterinarian or avian specialist.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 5B - Avian Handling

(a)Limited Services. Reptile services should be limited to non-medical handling or grooming support that can be performed calmly, briefly, and with species-appropriate body support.

(b)Handling Boundary. Reptiles should not be forced through restraint when safe control cannot be maintained. Services should stop when the animal shows distress, defensive escalation, weakness, injury, abnormal breathing, or inability to tolerate handling.

(c)Veterinary Referral. Shedding complications, retained eye caps, wounds, burns, dehydration concern, parasites, mouth concerns, abnormal posture, or husbandry-related health concerns should be referred to a veterinarian or qualified reptile specialist.

(d)Scope Boundary. Grooming businesses should not represent reptile grooming support as veterinary husbandry, medical treatment, or exotic-animal specialty care.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 5C - Reptile Handling

(a)Cleaning Before Disinfection. Grooming tools, surfaces, tubs, cages, tables, and other shared equipment should be cleaned of visible soil before disinfection, because organic material can reduce disinfectant effectiveness.

(b)Between-Animal Practices. Reusable tools and contact surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected between animals when practical and appropriate to the item, service, product label, and contamination risk.

(c)Product Use. Disinfectants should be used according to label directions, including dilution, surface compatibility, contact time, ventilation, drying, storage, and animal re-entry or exposure limits.

(d)Textiles and Consumables. Towels, linens, and disposable materials should be replaced, laundered, or discarded in a way that reduces cross-contamination between animals.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1G - Water Safety and Chemical Handling

(a)Routine Cleaning. Grooming businesses should maintain daily sanitation routines for work areas, tubs, tables, cages, floors, drains, laundry, waste areas, and shared equipment based on service volume and contamination risk.

(b)Animal Areas. Areas used for animals should be kept dry, ventilated, and free of accumulated hair, waste, standing water, chemical residue, and other hazards that could increase stress, disease risk, or injury risk.

(c)Written Routines. Businesses should use simple checklists or logs for recurring sanitation tasks, product preparation, waste removal, and equipment or surface concerns.

(d)Local Requirements. State, local, landlord, health department, wastewater, and business licensing rules may impose additional requirements and should be checked by the business.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1D - Workspace Establishment

(a)Task-Based PPE. Personal protective equipment should be selected according to the task, chemical product label, safety data sheet, exposure risk, animal condition, and workplace policy.

(b)Chemical Use. Gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection, aprons, or other protective equipment should be used when required by product label, SDS, employer policy, or exposure risk.

(c)Animal and Waste Exposure. PPE should be considered when handling waste, body fluids, heavily soiled animals, suspected infectious material, sharp tools, chemical products, or aggressive or fearful animals.

(d)Training. Staff should know where SDS information is kept and how to use required PPE correctly.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1G - Water Safety and Chemical Handling

(a)Visible Concern Response. Animals with visible or owner-reported signs that may indicate contagious, parasitic, or medically significant conditions should be handled conservatively, separated from other animals when practical, and referred for veterinary guidance or care.

(b)Scope Boundary. Groomers should not diagnose infection, parasite status, contagiousness, or treatment needs. Grooming observations should be documented and communicated as observations only.

(c)Cleaning Response. After a suspected contamination concern, contacted areas and equipment should be cleaned and disinfected according to product label directions, with attention to contact time, ventilation, drying, and animal re-entry limits.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 1H - Observational Animal Health

(a)Professional Communication Requirements:

(1)Clear explanation of services and procedures

(2)Transparent pricing and fee structure disclosure

(3)Realistic timeline estimates

(4)Written service agreements

(b)Client Education Responsibilities:

(1)Home care instruction provision

(2)Health observation reporting

(3)Follow-up care recommendations

(4)Emergency contact protocol explanation

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 6 - Customer Relations and Business Practice PET Track

(a)Immediate Notification Requirements:

(1)Any injury to client animal must be reported immediately

(2)Medical emergency situations require immediate client contact

(3)Property damage must be disclosed upon discovery

(4)Service complications must be communicated promptly

(b)Documentation Standards:

(1)Written incident reports within 24 hours

(2)Photographic evidence when appropriate

(3)Veterinary consultation records

(4)Follow-up communication logs

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 6D - Pet Owner Safety and Veterinary Boundary Communication

(a)Scope of Practice Communication:

(1)Clear explanation of grooming vs. veterinary services

(2)Appropriate referral recommendations

(3)Professional limitation acknowledgment

(4)Medical advice disclaimers

(b)Ethical Business Practices:

(1)Honest service capability representation

(2)Fair pricing without hidden fees

(3)Respect for client decision-making autonomy

(4)Confidentiality maintenance

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 6A - Professional Identity and Business Ethics

(a)Workspace Design Best Practices:

(1)Adequate space per grooming station enhances safety and efficiency

(2)Good ventilation protects both animals and workers from chemical exposure

(3)Non-slip flooring prevents accidents and injuries

(4)Proper drainage systems prevent water hazards and maintain sanitary conditions

(b)Safety Features Recommendations:

(1)Clear emergency exits protect both humans and animals

(2)First aid accessibility enables rapid response to injuries

(3)Appropriate fire safety systems protect against electrical and chemical hazards

(4)Emergency communication systems enable quick professional assistance

(c)Professional Note: Specific facility requirements vary by local building codes, health departments, and business licensing authorities. Consult local officials for mandatory requirements in your jurisdiction.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 1D - Workspace Establishment

(a)Daily Maintenance Requirements:

(1)Equipment inspection before use

(2)Cleaning and sanitization after each use

(3)Function testing of safety mechanisms

(4)Documentation of maintenance activities

(b)Preventive Maintenance Schedules:

(1)Weekly deep cleaning procedures

(2)Monthly mechanical system inspection

(3)Annual professional equipment servicing

(4)Replacement scheduling based on manufacturer recommendations

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 1E - Tool Awareness for the ACADA Professional

(a)Storage Practices. Grooming chemicals, shampoos, disinfectants, cleaners, pesticides, and related products should be stored according to label directions, SDS information, and applicable workplace policy.

(b)Hazard Communication. Product labels should remain legible, secondary containers should be identified, and safety data sheet information should be available to staff who use or may be exposed to the product.

(c)Segregation and Access. Incompatible products should be separated, liquid products should be stored to reduce spill risk, and chemicals should be kept away from animals, clients, food, medications, and unauthorized access.

(d)Ventilation and Temperature. Storage areas should be ventilated and maintained within conditions appropriate for product stability and worker safety according to label or SDS information.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1G - Water Safety and Chemical Handling

(a)Product Selection. Products used on or around animals should be appropriate for the species, service, contact surface, and intended use, and should be used according to label directions and SDS precautions.

(b)Use Limits. Grooming businesses should not use chemical products in a manner that conflicts with label directions, species limitations, dilution instructions, contact time, rinse requirements, ventilation needs, or animal re-entry limits.

(c)Animal Safety. Products should be discontinued and the animal should be rinsed or removed from exposure when safe to do so if irritation, respiratory difficulty, collapse, severe distress, or other concerning signs occur. Veterinary guidance or care should be sought when signs are significant or persistent.

(d)Scope Boundary. Product use in grooming is not diagnosis, treatment, or prescription. Skin, eye, ear, wound, parasite, or allergic concerns should be referred to veterinary care when outside routine grooming scope.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1G - Water Safety and Chemical Handling

(a)Exposure Response. When chemical exposure affects an animal, worker, or client, staff should stop the service, reduce exposure when safe to do so, follow label or SDS first-response instructions, and seek veterinary, medical, poison-control, or emergency guidance as appropriate.

(b)Animal Exposure. If an animal shows eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory difficulty, collapse, severe distress, or suspected ingestion, the animal should be removed from exposure when safe and referred for veterinary guidance or care.

(c)Spill Response. Chemical spills should be isolated from animals and clients, cleaned according to label or SDS instructions, and documented when they create exposure, injury, service interruption, or equipment contamination.

(d)Scope Boundary. Grooming staff should not improvise medical treatment or chemical-neutralizing procedures beyond label, SDS, veterinary, medical, poison-control, or emergency instructions.

(e)Curriculum Reference. Module 1G - Water Safety and Chemical Handling

(a)Basic Client Records (Recommended).

(1)Pet and owner contact information

(2)Services requested and performed

(3)Special instructions, owner-reported health concerns, handling notes, or service limitations

(4)Basic incident documentation when issues occur

(b)Professional Development Records.

(1)Program completion, training, continuing education, or registry-related records where applicable

(2)Skills training and updates relevant to services offered

(3)Equipment, sanitation, incident-response, and safety training records when used by the business

(c)Business Practice Note. Specific documentation requirements vary by state, locality, business structure, insurance policy, employer policy, and contract. Consult appropriate business, legal, insurance, and regulatory advisors for requirements in your jurisdiction.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 1B - Legal Framework and Business Establishment

(a)Basic Equipment Care:

(1)Regular cleaning and maintenance per manufacturer instructions

(2)Safety equipment function verification

(3)Replacement of worn or damaged equipment

(4)Professional servicing as needed

(b)ACADA Professional Recommendation:

(1)Maintain equipment in safe working condition

(2)Replace equipment that poses safety risks

(3)Follow manufacturer maintenance guidelines

(4)Seek professional repair for complex equipment

(c)Curriculum Reference. Module 1E - Tool Awareness for the ACADA Professional

(a)Recommended Documentation for Significant Incidents:

(1)Date and basic description of incident

(2)Actions taken and veterinary contacts made

(3)Client communication and follow-up

(4)Personal notes for professional development

(b)ACADA Reporting:

(1)Serious incidents may be reported to ACADA via website for educational feedback

(2)ACADA may provide guidance and additional resources

(3)Reporting to ACADA is voluntary and educational in nature

(4)Legal and insurance matters handled through appropriate professional channels

(c)Professional Note: Documentation requirements for legal and insurance purposes vary by jurisdiction and business structure. Consult professional advisors for specific requirements.

(d)Curriculum Reference. All applicable PET Track modules

(a)Emergency Readiness. Grooming businesses should maintain practical emergency procedures for animal distress, injury, heat exposure, chemical exposure, fire, severe weather, power failure, evacuation, and urgent owner communication.

(b)Animal Emergency Response. When an animal shows significant distress, injury, respiratory difficulty, collapse, possible heat stress, chemical exposure, or another urgent concern, staff should stop the service, reduce immediate exposure when safe, notify the owner, and seek veterinary guidance or care.

(c)Facility Emergency Response. Staff should know how to safely remove animals from immediate danger, access emergency contact information, use available exits, address chemical spills according to SDS or label instructions, and contact emergency services when needed.

(d)Medical Boundary. Grooming staff should not diagnose, prescribe, sedate, perform advanced first aid, or delay veterinary or emergency care. The grooming role is observation, basic comfort, exposure reduction when safe, documentation, owner communication, and referral.

(e)Documentation. Significant emergencies should be documented with the time, animal involved, condition observed, immediate action taken, owner communication, veterinary or emergency contact, and follow-up needs.

(f)Curriculum Reference. Module 1H - Observational Animal Health

(a)Investigation Requirements:

(1)Root cause analysis procedures

(2)Evidence collection and preservation

(3)Witness statement documentation

(4)Expert consultation when appropriate

(b)Corrective Action Implementation:

(1)Immediate hazard mitigation

(2)Process improvement recommendations

(3)Additional training requirements

(4)Follow-up monitoring procedures

(c)Curriculum Reference. All applicable PET Track modules

(a)Registry Listing Categories.

(1)Listed - Individual or business appears in an ACADA directory, registry, verification tool, or public record according to ACADA records and applicable agreement terms.

(2)Under Review - Listing is being reviewed because ACADA received information requiring administrative, educational, contractual, or safety review.

(3)Not Currently Listed - Listing is temporarily unavailable, hidden, paused, or removed from public display according to ACADA policy or applicable agreement terms.

(4)Removed From Listing - Listing has been removed from ACADA public records according to ACADA policy or applicable agreement terms.

(b)Review Process.

(1)Report Intake - ACADA may receive reports, owner concerns, documentation, or other information relevant to public listing or educational follow-up.

(2)ACADA Review - ACADA may review reported information, request context, review records, and determine whether public listing should continue, pause, change, or end.

(3)Participant Response - Where appropriate, ACADA may provide an opportunity for the listed participant to respond or provide context.

(4)Listing Decision - ACADA may determine directory or registry listing status according to ACADA policy, records, and applicable agreement terms.

(c)ACADA Role.

(1)ACADA is an educational organization and registry operator, not a regulatory, licensing, veterinary, employment, or legal decision-maker.

(2)ACADA registry or directory status affects ACADA records and public ACADA listing only.

(3)Legal matters, licensing issues, employment disputes, insurance matters, veterinary determinations, and business disputes remain outside ACADA records unless addressed separately by applicable law or contract.

(4)Removal from ACADA listing does not by itself determine whether a person or business may continue grooming outside ACADA programs or records.

(d)Curriculum Reference. Module 1B - Legal Framework and Business Establishment