A lifelong love of animals led Hannah Reynolds to study dog grooming at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of Further Education and Training, Croom Campus, giving her the skills and qualifications to build a career doing what she loves. For Hannah Reynolds, 22, from Cappamore in County Limerick, working with animals has always been the goal. Now employed at Arra Veterinary Clinic in Tipperary, she has completed Level 5 and Level 6 Animal Grooming at College of FET, Croom Campus. Hannah has had animals in her life since childhood, including horses and her 12-year-old Spaniel, Ivy. She originally considered becoming a vet, but discovered that dog grooming offered another way to turn her love of animals into a career.
A family friend recommended Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Croom Campus, where Hannah went on to study with animal grooming tutor Louise O’Connor. “My mum was looking for somewhere for me to study dog grooming. I’d found another course and started saving for it, but it was quite expensive. Then Mum’s friend suggested I speak to Louise in Croom, and I’m so glad she did.” Hannah completed Level 5 before progressing to Level 6, finishing both within a year. Classes took place one morning a week, allowing her to continue working while gaining practical experience. She particularly loved the atmosphere and the hands-on nature of the course. “Honestly, Fridays felt like an extra day off because I loved being there so much. It never felt like work. We were all there for different reasons, but everyone got something valuable out of it. By the last day, we didn’t want to leave.” Working with different dogs taught Hannah that grooming takes patience and that every animal responds differently. One particularly challenging session with a Miniature Yorkshire Terrier helped her understand that things won’t always go to plan. “He was very matted and gave me a lot of trouble. It made me realise that every dog is different, and you can’t expect them all to behave the same way.”
Hannah pictured with her 12 year old Spaniel Ivy at her dog grooming job at Arra Veterinary Clinic in Tipperary.
The experience also helped Hannah become more confident and less hard on herself as she developed her skills. “I can doubt myself a lot, and I’m a perfectionist. I’ve learned to be more confident and not put so much pressure on myself. Dog grooming is a skill you don’t pick up overnight. If the dog leaves happy and I’ve done my best, I need to be happy with that too.” She also found online videos useful for learning new techniques and practising them herself.
Throughout her studies, she says Louise’s knowledge and encouragement made a lasting impression. “I’ve never met anyone so passionate about her work. Our tutor Louise knows so much and always seems to have a solution when you need help. There couldn’t be a better person to run the course.” Completing both qualifications in less than a year was a source of pride for Hannah, who says the experience showed her what she could achieve with commitment and support. “I started Level 5 in September, and by June I’d completed Level 6. I couldn’t believe how quickly it went. It showed me that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve your goals.” The qualifications also give Hannah a recognised foundation as she continues working with dogs, reassuring owners that their pets are in capable hands. “It’s important to have the qualification because it shows people that you’re trained and know how to look after dogs. It gives them confidence that they can trust you with their pets.”
Hannah pictured with some of her fellow Animal Grooming graduates. Pictured are Colette Hackett, Fiona Moran, Hannah Reynolds and Clara Tobin who all graduated from Animal Grooming at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Croom at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa Limerick where the ETB’s Autumn Conferring Ceremonies recently.
Hannah hopes to open her own dog-grooming business one day. For now, she is focused on gaining experience and would love to work abroad to develop her skills further. She credits her mum with encouraging her to stick with the course when she learned she would have to wait until September to start. “I’m so grateful to my mum for always pushing me forward. I’m impatient, and when I found out I had to wait, I nearly decided not to do it. She kept encouraging me and helped me stay on track.” Hannah joined fellow graduates from across the region at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET Autumn 2026 Conferring Ceremonies at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Limerick this week. She hopes more people will discover the opportunities available in dog grooming. “The course is brilliant, and people don’t know enough about it or where to find it.” A 2025 Dogs Trust survey found that 57% of Irish dog owners had difficulty accessing professional dog services because of availability, while 58% said there were not enough dog-care professionals in their area. Training opportunities such as those at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Croom Campus, help prepare learners with the practical skills and qualifications to work in the sector.
For more information on Hannah’s Dog Grooming course at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Croom Campus log onto https://collegeoffet.ie/croom-campus/