Our Mission
We seek students serious about a career in dog grooming. The mission at Pets Playground Pet Grooming School is to elevate the profession of grooming and educate students in an environment that fosters the interdependence between education, business, and paraprofessional enterprise.
Meet Our School Leadership
Manessa Donovan
School Director/ Head Instructor
Manessa Donovan is a long time animal lover, owning multiple pets and working alongside rescue groups. She always knew working in the pet industry was a given. After visiting a grooming school back in 2010 she signed up that day and never turned back. Manessa graduated from the Florida Institute of Animal Arts in Orlando in 2010. She continued her studies and in 2013 became a “National Certified Master Groomer” through the National Dog Grooming Association of America, NDGAA. Manessa has experience in mobile grooming and in shop grooming. After receiving that certificate she became an instructor at ITA grooming school and worked there until its closing. She is an open level competitor and has won multiple awards including Best Groomed Dog in 2019. Manessa is certified in AKC Salon Safety, as well Pet CPR and first aid.
Irina Pinkusevich (Pina)
Contributor
Irina “Pina” Pinkusevich realized her passion as a Pet Stylist while working part-time as a bather. Pina worked as a Pet Stylist at some of the most high-end grooming salons in New York. She entered the world of Competitive Grooming in 2006. In her competitive career Irina has won multiple BIS & Best All Around Groomer awards. She competed in the World Championships for the United States in 2009, 2011, & 2013 helping the U.S.team bring home a Silver & two Golds. Currently, Pina is a national & international judge & lecturer as well as an ambassador for Oster Professional Grooming Products. She travels the world educating through conferences & seminars
Woody Whitcomb
President, Academic Advisor
Beth Whitcomb
Financial Aid Administrator
