Christopher Jackson, Founder

Chris has been working in the pet industry since he was 12 years old, when he began bathing dogs to earn extra money for his family. As he grew up, he gained experience training dogs and working as a veterinary technician in an animal shelter. In 2000, he began working for Petco as a groomer, where he was quickly promoted to salon manger- one of the youngest managers in the company at only 18 years old.

After a couple of years, he became an Area Training Coordinator and started teaching others how to groom. Later, he transitioned to PetSmart as an Academy Instructor and quickly rose to become one of the Top 3 Instructors and Salon Managers for the entire company. He has managed over 25 grooming salons to date, both large and small, in addition to owning his own salons in Hollywood and a mobile grooming business. He regularly participated in grooming competitions, showing both Standard Poodles, Springer Spaniels and Giant Schnauzers. He has won many awards, including placing in the Top 20 in the world at Superzoo in Las Vegas, NV.

He founded West Coast Grooming Academy in 2015, which now operates inside of a chain of stores (also owned by WCGA) called Fur Town, which has locations in Arcadia, La Verne and Hollywood, as well as Fur Town Mobile. In his spare time, Chris enjoys spending time with his family and playing with their French Bulldog Crumble.

Faculty

Nicole Jackson
Cat Instructor

Nicole is not only the Co owner and Wife of our CEO but she is also our Cat grooming instructor and Small animal Specialists.  Nicole Specializes in All things small and furry.  Nicole has trained 80% of the cat groomers that have left WCGA and most don’t want to leave.  If you have guts come join a cat class with Nicole Jackson

Jessica Johnson
Coo

Jessica started training dogs professionally in 2005 at Petco before forming her own training business in 2006, Dog Sense, LLC. She attended school at Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Agriculture where she worked with livestock and domestic animals and graduated in 2012 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science- Pre-Veterinary. In 2016, Jessica obtained her Certified Feline Master Groomer (CFMG) certification, and her Advanced Certified Feline Training & Behavior Specialist (ACFTBS) certification in 2017.

In addition to her animal behavior and grooming work, Jessica is very active in animal rescue, having fostered orphaned kittens, puppies and dogs for various shelters and rescues, and volunteering with organizations such as Wings of Rescue, Fix Nation, the Marine Mammal Care Center, the National Disaster Search and Rescue Dog Foundation, the Pasadena Humane Society, Downey Animal Care & Control, West Side German Shepherd Rescue, Upland Animal Shelter, Sante D’or Foundation, and Found Animals Foundation. 

Jessica has appeared on numerous tv shows such as “My Cat From Hell” with Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin of Hauspanther, “Shelter Me” on PBS, and “The All American Dog Rescue Celebration” Thanksgiving Day Special on Fox 11. WCGA is very lucky and proud to have Jessica teaching the next generation of dog and cat groomers!<

Noelia Ledesma
La Verne Instructor

Noelia is a graduate of WCGA as a Certified Dog and Cat Groomer and a Salon Manager. Her super power is helping shy and fearful pets feel safe and comfortable during their groom. She is kind and patient with even the most difficult dogs and cats.

Yo hablo español

Alyssa Solis
Internships

Alyssa is a graduate of WCGA as a Certified Dog Groomer and is the District Manager for WCGA’s salon branch, Fur Town. She assists in placing and training graduates into intern and externships at partnering salon locations.

Annjeannette Montoya
admissions

Angie is head of admissions and is happy to answer any questions that you may have about our school. She can guide you through the enrollment process and help you find assistance programs too!</p>

Yo hablo español

Andrew Rodriguez
Arcadia Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Yo hablo español

Jasmine Albanez
Instructor

 

Bio coming soon!

Yo hablo español

Mario Baires
Playa Vista Instructor

Mario B. is a graduate of WCGA as a Certified Dog, Cat and Small Animal Groomer. He has been grooming since 2015, both in-shop and on mobile, specializing in large breed dogs. He is quiet and patient, with a gift for calming nervous or fearful pets.

Yo hablo español

Martin
Playa Vista Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Yo hablo español

WHY CHOOSE US?

State of the Art Facilities

Our award-winning groomers are compassionate and professional, so you’ll know your pet is in good hands. Our campus facilities are built with the groomers and pet’s safety, comfort and sanitation in mind. 

Giving Back to Our Community

West Coast Grooming Academy is proud to announce our work with local animal rescue organizations and shelters. When you attend WCGA, you learn to groom and give back to the community by grooming adoptable pets, which helps them get adopted and into their forever homes.

Job Placement Assistance

After graduation, we offer Job placement assistance with companies like PetSmart and Petco, as well as private salons. We even offer internships to deserving students after graduation to allow you to have even more hands-on experience in a safe, familiar environment.