Professional Master Canine Stylist™

Bullet's lifelong dedication to animal care, coupled with diverse experience, makes her an asset to veterinary medicine and animal rescue. Her passion for pets and wildlife drives her tireless work to positively impact countless animal lives. Her journey from kennel help to licensed vet tech highlights her unwavering commitment to animal welfare and making a difference.

Her involvement in creative grooming competitions led her to establish the International Association for Pet Esthetics and Grooming (IAPEG). Under IAPEG, Bullet initiated programs for scientific knowledge and professional development for groomers worldwide.

Driven by her relentless pursuit of excellence, Bullet knew other niches within the grooming industry needed attention. Many groomers sought professional education in pet esthetics, amalgamating artistry science and a deep understanding of pet well-being. This realization led to a pivotal turning point in the organization's trajectory.

Recognizing the broader needs of the grooming industry, Bullet transformed the NAPCG into the International Association for Pet Esthetics and Grooming (IAPEG). Under her guidance, IAPEG has become a leading institution for professional development in pet esthetics, providing groomers with scientifically grounded information and empowering them to deliver exceptional care.

IAPEG provided scientific information to grooming professionals about the most volatile products available. The goal was to empower groomers with research and knowledge, so they could make informed decisions and provide exceptional care to their clients. Thanks to IAPEG, groomers no longer have to rely only on trial and error.

Bullet's global impact includes delivering workshops and lectures worldwide, notably becoming the first dog groomer to speak in Moscow, Russia. Her current focus remains to educate professional groomers enrolled at the WPGA, emphasizing premium service for their clients, and prioritizing safety.

Grooming became a passion quickly in 1986 when I was just starting in the pet industry. I was able to jump into the grooming industry through an apprenticeship in 1992 with Lori Charette at Aintree Kennels in Boxford Massachusetts. Due to not being able to find a suitable grooming position, I stayed on as a veterinarian technician till 1995 gaining many years of veterinarian skills that have been a tremendous help in both dog training and grooming. I had the joy of working with Lynn Travers, a well known Standard Poodle breeder in the New England region, where I learned all styles of poodle grooming for pets and shows.

I was one of the first housecall groomers and opened Happy Critters in 2000. I love grooming small, as I like to call them “my little behavior cases” and thrive when working them through fears, stress and anxiety. In October 2018, I started my podcast Creating Great Grooming Dogs that is hosted weekly on Tuesdays about where grooming and dog training meet. My show allowed me the opportunity to get noticed as an educator and opened doors to speaking for Barkleigh at grooming expos. I love teaching and look at dog training as logic puzzles and grooming is the art. As much as I love teaching, I love learning and geeking out with other dog professionals. The more knowledge I possess, the more I can give back to those I educate. One of my current hobbies is strong passion for Flyball with my current Border Collies Brok and Po. Flyball started for me with Isa in 2005 and over the years have been awarded numerous titles with my other dogs.

President and Founder

Dara Forleo is the founder of multiple entrepreneurial businesses.

She started The Whole Pet Grooming Academy, an arts and sciences school specializing in training professional pet stylists. She and her husband, Lee, created Come What May Racing, a Thoroughbred racehorse syndicate operation based in Kentucky and the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Dara has been recognized as Educator of the Year, Emerging Business Leader, and a Pet Age Icon Awards honoree for her experience and long-term contributions to the pet industry. She recently was top in her Executive Education Women's Leadership Program class at Yale University and had a B.A. in Business from Ottawa University. Her insights have been featured in multiple publications, and she often shares her expertise, speaking at conferences nationwide.

Dara has honed her education and experience over the last two decades culminating in her mentor program for business owners nationwide. Having experienced firsthand how being a successful business owner can give life to your dreams as with her Come What May Racing passion, she is uniquely suited to help any entrepreneur do the same.