GCGA

Nikki Carruthers

Canadian Chapter

Creative Groomer
Nikki began her professional journey in the beauty industry, first as a nail technician and later as a hairstylist specializing in vivid, creative color. Transformation, self expression, and turning the ordinary into the unforgettable were always her passions ~ she just didn’t yet know they would lead her to a completely different canvas.
In 2010, she stepped into the world of dog grooming, and everything changed. Creative grooming instantly felt like home: the artistry of color, the joy of transformation, and the chance to express personality in a whole new medium. Dogs became her living canvases, and her artistry flourished.
But in 2018, her entire world stopped. A life threatening series of diagnoses, including a liver tumor, POTS, gastroparesis, and a spinal tumor forced her out of work for two years. The future was uncertain, but her spirit wasn’t done fighting. When she began to recover, she returned to grooming with a renewed sense of purpose and a determination sharper than ever.
In 2022, that determination took shape in the form of a dream fulfilled: she opened The Neon Dragon Ltd. with her business partner, Carly Reimer. What began as a vision for creativity and color quickly grew into a hub of community, compassion, and artistic expression in Manitoba.
By 2025, The Neon Dragon expanded into a second location, and soon after, they launched The Neon Dragon Grooming Academy ~ a program that has proudly graduated 23 students across Manitoba. Teaching, mentoring, and watching new groomers build their futures has become one of the most meaningful chapters in her journey.
From beauty school to the grooming table, from illness to independence, her story is one of transformation ~ not just for the pets she colors and styles, but for herself. Every groom she creates is a reminder of resilience, artistry, and the power of beginning again.
As a proud member of the GCGA Canada Chapter, Nikki continues to elevate creative grooming through passion, empowerment, and fearless self expression.

Certifications

Pet first aid, PPGAM, CPPS

Accolades

Winnipeg's #1 rated grooming salon

The Neon Dragon Ltd

Winnipeg, Canada

4312753564

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Other Artists in the Canadian Chapter

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Karen Smith

Creative Grooming Artist

Based in Brampton, Ontario, Karen Smith is a seasoned grooming professional with over 20 years of experience and a fierce commitment to artistic growth. Her journey into creative grooming began just a few years ago, sparked by the visionary work of Angela Kumpe and Lori Craig. What started as playful color accents on her own poodle quickly evolved into bold, full-body transformations that now define her creative identity.

Karen's debut into the competitive creative grooming scene was both daring and unforgettable—her first themed piece, a poodle transformed into a giraffe, captured first place and signaled the arrival of a unique artistic voice. Since then, she has consistently placed in the top three at creative grooming competitions, earning recognition for her originality, technical skill, and relentless drive to improve.

Her approach to creative grooming is rooted in self-expression, storytelling, and joy. Karen views each transformation as a lasting art form—something meant not just to be admired, but to inspire. She embraces critique, thrives in competition, and sees every design as a new opportunity to push boundaries and elevate the craft.

Karen is the owner and lead stylist at Fantamie Grooms Pet Spaw & Boutique, where she continues to blend traditional grooming with imaginative flair. Through her work, she brings clients into the world of creative grooming with compassion, excitement, and a deep respect for the animals she works with.

As a proud member of the GCGA Canada Chapter, Karen represents the bold and innovative spirit of Canadian artists contributing to the global grooming landscape. Her message to future creatives: “Just do it. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.”

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Larissa Kalinina

Mobile Groomer & Creative Model Dog Specialist

Larissa Kalinina is a certified master groomer with over two decades of experience, currently operating as a mobile stylist in Ontario. She holds grooming certifications from International Groomers International (IGI) and the International Judges Association (IJA) and has built a distinguished career in both live dog grooming and the highly specialized field of model dog artistry.

Larissa’s creative journey began in 2016, inspired by witnessing groundbreaking work at the Nash Academy in the United States and international showcases such as the World Grooming Competition in Taiwan. These early exposures to artistic model dog styling sparked a deep interest in color, form, and fantasy-inspired grooming—a passion that continues to fuel her work today.

She has competed in creative and model dog grooming contests around the world, including South Korea, Spain, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Canada. Her accolades include:

Top Dog Award (Model Dog), Virtual World Dog Grooming Competitions 2021

Show & Tell Champion, International Judges Association (2022)

Best Groomer, Alianz Canine Worldwide KKC (2023)

First Place, Judges Contest NAMDGC (2023)

First & Second Place, CharmCity Model Dog Competition, Maryland (2024)

With each design, Larissa brings to life her interpretations of both natural and fantastical worlds. Her work with model dogs has not only earned her international recognition but has also strengthened her technical precision and scissoring finesse in live dog grooming.

As a proud member of the GCGA Canada Chapter, Larissa remains dedicated to elevating creative standards and inspiring innovation through competitions and mobile salon work. Whether grooming live pets or crafting elaborate model designs, she continues to explore new concepts and champion the artistry that defines the creative grooming community.
Accolades

Virtual World Dog Grooming Competitions Competiter of the Year for Model Dog
Top Dog Award 2021
International Judges Association 2022 Show &Tell Champion
Best Groomer Alianz Canine Worldwide KKC 2023 (1st place)
Judges contest First place 2023 NAMDGC
Charmcity, Maryland Model Dog Grooming Competition 2024 (First place), 2024 (2nd place)

Certifications

IGI Certified Master Groomer
IJA Certified Groomer

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Linda Sayer

Creative Groomer

Linda Sayer is a passionate and evolving creative grooming artist based in Norwich, Ontario. A graduate with honours from DogPort Academy of Dog Grooming in 2006, Linda is the founder and lead stylist at The Shaggy Dog, a full-service grooming salon known for bringing joyful, personalized grooming experiences to pets of all sizes.

Though Linda had long admired the world of creative grooming, it wasn’t until later in her career that she allowed herself to fully embrace the art. Determined to take the leap, she purchased a white standard poodle—the perfect canvas—and began exploring her creative potential. Her very first design, a Halloween skeleton, awakened her love for coat carving, dyeing, and the deep bond that forms between artist and pet in the process.

Linda's competitive debut brought early success: her abstract design won first place in a take-home competition, followed by a third-place finish at a subsequent event. However, her first live competition brought unexpected challenges and self-doubt—an experience that tested her resilience. Rather than retreat, Linda recommitted herself to practice and growth, and since then has continued to compete and showcase her creations with pride.

Certified in Pet First Aid, as well as creative seminars with Nicole Beckman and Lori Craig, Linda continues to refine her craft while spreading joy through her designs. Whether winning awards or simply hearing someone say “Look at that dog!” with a smile, she finds the greatest reward in bringing her vision to life and making others happy.

As a proud member of the GCGA Canada Chapter, Linda Sayer brings warmth, creativity, and determination to every groom she creates.

Certifications

Graduate with Honours from DogPort Acadamy of Dog Grooming in 2006
Pet First Aid Training
Certificate of Competion of Opawz's Coat Carving & Creative Grooming Seminar and Workshop with Nicole Beckman
Certificate of Completion of Opawz's Creative Grooming Seminar and Workshop with Lori Craig

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Nikki Trenton

Creative Groomer

Nikki Trenton has been grooming professionally since 2009, combining her foundation in Animal Care from Sheridan College with a heartfelt dedication to pet wellness and behavior. Her grooming philosophy centers on creating calm, trusting environments where even the most nervous dogs can grow in confidence.

Nikki’s journey into creative grooming began with her beloved rescue Shar Pei, Helga. Though limited by Helga’s short black coat, Nikki found joy in exploring pet-safe nail painting and color sprays—sparking a love for the art form that would grow over the years. In 2020, the arrival of her white standard poodle, Indie, changed everything. From small dye jobs to a full Halloween skeleton design, Indie became the perfect canvas. The duo entered their first creative grooming competition in 2023, and Nikki has been hooked ever since.

Surrounded by a supportive team of groomers at Tidy Ups Pet Services, Nikki continues to learn, compete, and bring a touch of joy and color to every groom. Whether it’s a whimsical tail, a vibrant ear, or a full competition design, she believes each touch of color brings a dog’s personality to life.

As a proud member of the GCGA Canada Chapter, Nikki Trenton represents a thoughtful and passionate approach to creative grooming, rooted in compassion, curiosity, and the shared joy between groomer and pet.

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