ABC Grooming Instruction Program Student of the Month
January 2015

Kenneth Moss Jr.

Ken Moss has spent his life serving his local community of Dayton, Ohio. In his chosen career field, he serves as a chaplain for prisons and community leadership boards. He was given the opportunity to work with an organization that provides opportunities for underprivileged individuals. He joined the Grooming Instruction Program with the hope of being able to provide job opportunities to those in his community who share his love for animals.

• How did you hear about the ABC program and what convinced you to become certified?

One of my co-workers owns multiple animal resorts in Florida and has helped us provide our clients with opportunities. He had worked with ABC in the past and thought your program would be a great opportunity for me and my clients. I researched it and saw how valuable it would be for me to become certified.

• What was/is the biggest challenge you faced during your externship and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge has been learning how to work with cats. I have had to learn to work with each cat’s temperament and identify where he is uncomfortable.

• What has been your most rewarding moment during your externship?

We had a pet owner bring in a blind Shih Tzu. It was matted with really bad fleas. It was so rewarding to be able to completely clean this dog and make that dog and its owner so much happier in the end.

• What one thing stands out for you in terms of knowledge and/or skills acquired from the program?

The biggest thing I have learned is to adapt to each dog’s temperament. I thought it would be so much harder to cut each dog’s hair, but I have learned how to work with the dogs and see that it is not as hard as I thought it would be.

• What has your experience been like in the ABC Grooming Instruction Program?

This program has been absolutely phenomenal. In my externship now, the mentor is so knowledgeable and helpful. I am learning so much.