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Denise Heroux is a seasoned pet industry professional with more than 28 years of experience in grooming, salon operations and leadership development. She owns three salons of her own, and in her session, “Cover Your Tail: Safety First for Groomers & Business Owners,” she explained why safety isn’t optional; it’s operational. She emphasizes that safety must be a priority before the dog even enters the salon until the moment they walk out the door.
Heroux spoke about proactive safety solutions that all groomers and business owners can use, noting that being proactive is much more affordable than being reactive. Before beginning, she stressed one important thing: “Get good insurance!” She said it’s important not only to know what your insurance covers but also to understand the coverage so you’re not surprised when you have to use it.
She also emphasized that it’s crucial to document everything — from existing safety policies and training procedures to any injuries or accidents that may occur.
At her salons, safety begins the moment an appointment is made. Heroux explained that comfort is closely tied to animal behavior, and the more familiar you are with the pet, the more successful and safe the experience will be.
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Groomers are trained to ask specific questions about a pet’s typical behaviors. They perform airway and neck checks, assess mobility and arthritis, review medical history and sensitivities, and ask about stress tolerance and known grooming limitations. This process helps remove emotion from decision-making and allows the groomer to determine which additional safety procedures or tools may be needed during the groom.
She also reviewed the safety checks and equipment used in work areas, including:
- Tool Maintenance
- Restraint Systems
- Surface Safety
- Table Safety
- Proper Restraints in Tubs
- Water Temperature and Drying Safety
- Environmental Safety (wet floors, cord placement, etc.)
Heroux also safeguards herself and her employees by using the cameras in her salons. These cameras have helped her avoid conflicts with angry pet owners and have even prevented potential litigation on more than one occasion.
Read more PETS+ coverage of GROOM’D 2026.
