Stephanie Zikmann
Holistic Grooming & Co-operative Care Educator, Author & Advocate

Bringing ethics, emotional awareness and understanding into dog grooming.

My Misson

I’ve dedicated my career to the advancement of the dog grooming industry – devising advanced CPD courses that put a dog’s emotional wellbeing at the centre of grooming processes to reduce dog bites and prevent animal welfare breaches within professional salons..

As a multi-award-winning holistic groomer, certified canine behaviourist, and number one bestselling author, I share my experience and knowledge through books, accredited courses, speaking events, and my blog.

My mission is simple: to raise dog care standards through an updated and ethical education in both the pet care industry and within the dog guardian community.

Stephanie Zikmann Holistic Dog Groomer, Author & Educator

Holistic Grooming & HGA Philosophy

I have spent the last seven years devising a philosophy that recognises the significance in a dog’s emotional experience towards grooming tasks. By stripping grooming expectations back to the core, I embrace the indigenous purpose of grooming that enhances health and wellbeing, while maintaining healthy skin and coat.

The HGA Philosophy combines an advanced education in canine behavioural science, cooperative-based handling and practical grooming skills to provide dogs with the highest standard of care.

If you would like to learn more about ways to not only enhance the grooming experience for your dog, but also embrace the natural therapy that is holistic grooming, HGA Philosophy is for you.

My methods and approach are rooted in science and real-life experience.

Are you ready to learn more?

find out more about the academy

Traditional grooming focuses on aesthetics and efficiency.
My approach prioritises emotional wellbeing, recognising that a dog’s experience, and how we care for them, matters more.

Where It All Began

Author, Stephanie Zikmann, smiles during a writing session in her home office.

After running a successful entertainment business for 10 years where I would provide DJ services for venues in and around the West of Scotland, I became a mum and decided it was finally time to give up the late nights and find something else that I could be passionate about.

I had discovered the mental health benefits of grooming my own dogs many years before and after some self-reflection decided to enrol on a professional grooming course and begin my next great business adventure.

But training wasn’t what I expected at all – dogs were always stressed during the busy days at the salon, and I knew instantly that I wanted to do things differently. I haven’t stopped learning since – finding canine psychology particularly interesting – in pursuit of helping to make the grooming industry a much kinder, dog-centred place.

Today, I am busy managing my multi-award-winning organisation, The HGA, where I write and publish various courses, workshops and webinars for both professional dog groomers and doting dog carers with a passion for holistic dog care.

I am also a keen writer, having authored various books over the years, all with the purpose of helping raise the bar of industry standards.

Stephanie Zikmann poses with her thumbs up and a Highland Cow cup in hand.

Needless to say, I am incredibly proud of the community I have built and feel incredibly blessed to have been given so many opportunities to spread awareness of the proven benefits of grooming holistically across the world.

Since the beginning, I have been lucky to win various awards and also author three Amazon number one bestselling books: The Magic of Holistic Grooming, A Teacher’s Guide to Low-Stress Grooming and, Help! My Dog Hates Grooming!.

I am also proud to have authored a children’s picture book, ‘I Can Be A Dog Detective!‘, working alongside my very talented illustrator, Julie Bryden. This book was a finalist at the prestigious Page Turner Awards in 2021, and has proved to be a popular resource in various children’s nurseries around the world.

In August 2025 I hosted ‘The Holistic Pet Care Conference’ where 24 pet industry pioneers shared their knowledge and expertise in various pet care topics. Amazingly, it reached 1.4 million viewers and has been praised by all who attended. You can now view the entire event via The HGA website.

Speaking & Media

If you are looking for a speaker who brings both scientific depth and heartfelt expertise, let’s talk.

So far, myself and/or my work has been featured in:

BBC Scotland, Kilmarnock Standard, The Scottish Sun, The Metro, Dogs Trust, Edition Dog Magazine, Entrepreneur, Female First, Do No Harm Dog Training, Welfare for Animals, Yappily, The Dog Welfare Alliance, Puptalk, Barket Place, The Pet Professional Network, Female First, Total Grooming Magazine, and Thrive Global!

PS. Keep a look out for the next ‘Holistic Pet Care Conference’ event which I expect to host again in Summer 2026 (and if you would like to discuss potentially speaking at, or sponsoring, this event, please do reach out to me anytime).

View Speaking Topics & Book