Jill Pipino - MC
Leading us through a weekend of excellence...
We are honoured to welcome Jill Pipino as the Master of Ceremonies for the Tru North Grooming Show. Her expertise and unwavering dedication to the world of competition set her apart as a true leader in the field.
Jill Pipino has been a pet stylist for 27 years in upstate NY where she owns a salon. Throughout her years she has attended continuing education classes and workshops as both an observer and an instructor.
She was a competitive dog groomer and showed her own dogs in the AKC ring, but found the most enriching experiences to be ringside and in the set-ups amongst friends. She left the competition ring as a competitor to be the ring announcer for Barkleigh Productions..
Teri DiMarino
Welcome Teri DiMarino ICMG. NCMG, ISCCMS, CAH, PGC – Grooming Judge
We are proud to welcome Teri DiMarino as a judging official for the 2026 Spring Tru North Grooming Show in Toronto, a sanctioned event of Groom Team Canada.
An industry veteran, Teri has owned and operated successful salons and mobiles in Florida and California. An award-winning grooming contest competitor Teri was a member of three GroomTeam USA Gold Medal teams and held the positions of GroomTeam USA Treasurer and Board Member. Teri is the recipient of multiple Barkleigh Honors and Cardinal Crystal Awards for Journalism, Judge, Groomer of the Year and Outstanding Contributions to the Industry. She is also the recipient of the American Kennel Club’s Leadership Award. She is a Co-founder and President of the California Professional Pet Groomers Association, Inc.
Teri is a popular speaker and judge at seminars and trade shows around the globe. She recently served on the Task Committee for the WPA Professional Groomer Credentialing and contributed to the writing of the PPGSA Standards of Care, Safety and Sanitation. Co-founder, past-president and show chair of the Boca Raton Dog Club in Florida, Teri’s dog show career included Dobermans, Tibetan Terriers and Standard Poodles in the breed and obedience ring.
We are honoured to have Teri join the Tru North Grooming Show judging panel and look forward to the insight, professionalism, and inspiration she will bring to the 2026 Spring event.
Shannon Tupes
Welcome Shannon Tupes – Grooming Judge | 2026 Spring Tru North Grooming Show
We are proud to welcome Shannon Tupes as a judging official for the 2026 Spring Tru North Grooming Show in Toronto, Canada, a premier event proudly sanctioned by Groom Team Canada.
Shannon Tupes is a Certified Master Groomer with more than 25 years of active involvement in the pet industry, bringing a depth of experience that spans professional grooming, competitive presentation, education, and leadership. She is a respected member of Groom Team USA, where she currently serves as a Board Member, and is recognized internationally as a judge and speaker within the competitive grooming community. In addition, Shannon is a Global Educator for Andis, sharing advanced techniques and professional standards with groomers around the world.
Her breadth of experience and lifelong involvement in the sport of dogs give Shannon a discerning, well-rounded perspective in the judging ring. She is known for her fair, confident evaluations and her ability to recognize grooming that reflects technical accuracy, thoughtful finishing, and breed-appropriate presentation. Competitors at all levels benefit from her clear standards and supportive presence, making her a valued and respected judge.
We are honoured to welcome Shannon Tupes to the Tru North Grooming Show judging panel and look forward to the expertise, professionalism, and inspiration she will bring to the 2026 Spring Tru North Grooming Show in Toronto.
Anne Francis
Welcome Anne Francis – Grooming Judge | Easter Tru North Grooming Show
Anne Francis is one of the most respected and sought-after grooming judges in the world, renowned for her exceptional skill, depth of knowledge, and influential voice within the global grooming community. An award-winning Certified Master Dog Groomer, Anne brings more than two decades of professional experience to the judging ring, having begun her career as a pet stylist at The Village Groomer in Walpole, Massachusetts. Her work has long been celebrated for its ability to transform everyday pet trims into refined, expressive grooming that balances artistry with function.
Anne’s impact extends far beyond competition. A former member of GroomTeam USA, she is widely recognized as an educator, author, and international speaker, sharing her expertise at major grooming expos and industry events around the world. As a Global Educator, she is especially known for advancing techniques focused on efficiency, precision, and low-stress handling—always prioritizing the dog’s experience while elevating professional standards.
Her contributions to grooming education and journalism have earned her numerous accolades. Through her writing, teaching, and mentorship, Anne continues to shape the future of the industry, supporting groomers worldwide with practical insight, thoughtful technique, and a passion for positive animal experiences.
We are proud to welcome Anne Francis to the Tru North Grooming Show judging panel. Her presence at the Easter event brings exceptional prestige and offers competitors the rare opportunity to present their work before one of the industry’s most accomplished and influential judges.
Marnie Matheson
Welcome Marnie Matheson – Grooming Judge | Tru North Grooming Show
We are proud to welcome Marnie Matheson to the judging panel of the Tru North Grooming Show, recognizing not only her expertise in the ring, but her ongoing commitment to strengthening and growing the grooming industry as a whole.
With over 30 years of experience in the grooming industry, Marnie is a respected educator, mentor, and the driving force behind Pets Beautiful School of Styling, Canada’s longest-running grooming school. Her lifelong dedication to education and excellence has helped shape the careers of countless professional groomers across the country.
Throughout her career, Marnie successfully balanced running a nationally recognized school with competing at the highest levels of professional grooming. She has earned multiple international awards across North America and Europe and was a proud member of Groom Team Canada 3 separate times, representing the country with skill, professionalism, and integrity on the global stage.
Marnie’s passion for teaching is matched by her commitment to staying current in an ever-evolving industry. Through comprehensive, hands-on training programs and a strong emphasis on continuing education, she ensures her students receive relevant, modern instruction grounded in strong fundamentals and real-world experience.
Known for her keen eye, thoughtful approach, and deep industry knowledge, Marnie continues to be a trusted leader and influential voice in professional grooming education. Her dedication to raising standards and supporting groomers at every stage of their careers has made her a cornerstone of the grooming community in Canada and beyond.
Lorna Phillips
Welcome Lorna Phillips – Grooming Judge | Tru North Grooming Show
We are pleased to welcome Lorna Phillips to the Tru North Grooming Show as a judging official, and we are honoured to have her expertise and perspective represented in the ring.
With over 36 years of experience, Lorna Phillips is one of Canada’s respected and accomplished professional dog groomers. She is the owner of Saskatoon’s premier high-end grooming salon, which she has successfully operated for 25 years. Known for her artistry, precision, and dedication to the craft, Lorna has built a reputation that extends far beyond her home province of Saskatchewan.
Since 2007, Lorna has competed successfully on the international stage, earning numerous top placements and representing her country with pride. In 2017, she achieved a career highlight as a member of Groom Team Canada, competing in Belgium among the world’s elite. Her ongoing commitment to education is reflected in her continual participation in professional grooming seminars and workshops worldwide.
Lorna has been an influential leader within the grooming community for many years. She has organized and hosted three grooming competitions and held seminars across Canada. She has also contributed to the industry as a competition judge. In 2015 along with other influential industry leaders, Lorna founded a national point system for competitive groomers—Groom Team Canada—which has since grown into a highly successful program that raises funds and sends Canadian teams to compete on the world stage.
While Lorna’s accolades are extensive, her heart remains firmly rooted in pet grooming and the animals she serves. Her passion has inspired the next generation as well—both of her daughters have become highly successful and decorated grooming stylists.
Outside the salon, Lorna enjoys a peaceful life on her acreage, spending her spare time riding her horses and embracing her favorite role: being a proud grandma.
Wynne Wong
Welcome Wynne Wong – Grooming Show Speaker | Tru North Grooming Show
Wynne Wong is the Executive Groomer and manager of Fluffy’ Spa, a role she has held since 2002. She is dedicated to continually advancing her skills and knowledge by attending grooming shows and seminars throughout the United States and Canada. In 2006, she earned the titles of IPG Certified Master Groomer and Certified Master Groomer (CMG) with the Canadian Professional Pet Stylists. She maintain Passionate about education, Wynne has been sharing her grooming expertise by training Fluffy’ Spa groomers since 2006. In 2014, she founded Fluffy Paws Grooming School, where she began training professional groomers and supporting the next generation of industry talent. Wynne has actively competed in grooming competitions across the U.S. and Canada for the past nine years, earning multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals. She was nominated for Canadian Groomer of the Year in 2018 and received the Best All-Around Groomer award at Mastergroom Canada 2018. She enjoys competing and connecting with fellow groomers from around the world, valuing the exchange of knowledge and mutual support within the grooming community, and has consistently ranked among the Top 10 groomers in Canada every year since 2017. She is honored to have been selected for the Travel Team in both 2022 and 2024 and is excited to continue supporting the growth of the Canadian grooming industry by sharing knowledge alongside her grooming family.
Nancy Bryson
Welcome Nancy Bryson – Grooming Judge | Tru North Grooming Show
Master Groomer - Industry Pioneer - Brand Ambassador Nancy comes to Tru North with a career spanning over five decades, Nancy Bryson is a cornerstone of the Canadian grooming industry. Since beginning her journey in 1974, Nancy has been a tireless advocate for professional standards and continuing education, pioneering educational initiatives for groomers across Canada since the mid-1980s.
A true leader in the grooming community, Nancy is a founding member and three-time past President of the Ontario Dog Groomers Association (ODGA). Her influence extends to the national stage as a former 1st Vice President and 2nd President of Groom Team Canada, where she worked alongside the board to establish the foundational framework that supports the national team today.
Nancy’s technical mastery is backed by a storied competitive career; she remained undefeated across Terrier, Sporting, and Creative grooming categories at all competition levels. Since 1993, she has shared that expertise as an esteemed judge, evaluating talent across the globe.
Beyond the competition ring, Nancy’s work has been featured in national magazines, on television, and in productions for Disney. Today, she serves as a Brand Ambassador and product development consultant for industry leaders Wahl Canada and Opawz.
While she entered semi-retirement in 2024, Nancy remains deeply committed to the craft. She continues to inspire the next generation of professionals through coaching, judging, and delivering expert seminars and workshops.
Michelle Skinner CCMG
Welcome Michelle Skinner – Grooming Show Speaker | Tru North Grooming Show
Launching her grooming career in 2006, she earned the designation of Certified Master Groomer in 2011 and has since built a respected reputation within the competitive grooming community. Consistently ranked among the top 10 competitive dog groomers in Canada, she was selected to represent the country on Canada’s traveling team for the World Grooming Competition in 2019, competing with her Bichon in the scissoring class. While personal circumstances ultimately prevented her attendance, the selection itself reflects the high regard in which her skills are held. Her competitive achievements also include multiple top placements in the All-Other Purebred, Poodle, and Freestyle classes across both Canada and the United States.
Throughout her career, she successfully owned and operated two thriving grooming salons in Calgary, Alberta. After 15 rewarding years, she sold her storefront salon in 2021 to focus on her exclusive, invitation-only, home-based salon, Elite Dog Spaw. Today, her passion centers on education and mentorship—empowering pet groomers to refine their skills, elevate professional standards, and grow as qualified leaders within the grooming industry.
Jovi Wagner
Welcome Jovi Wagner – Grooming Speaker | Tru North Grooming Show
Jovi is a second-generation professional groomer whose career in the grooming industry began in 1999, with competitive grooming becoming a key focus in 2015. Raised in the world of conformation dog shows, she developed a strong foundation in breed-specific grooming, structure, and handling from an early age. This lifelong immersion in purebred dogs is further reflected in her experience breeding Irish Wolfhounds and Welsh Terriers under the TIROC kennel name.
An internationally respected groomer and multiple Best in Show winner, Jovi has earned consistent recognition within the global grooming community. She has owned and operated one of Saskatchewan’s top grooming salons since 2001 and has ranked among Canada’s leading groomers since 2016. Her commitment to excellence extends beyond the competition ring, with a strong emphasis on canine comfort, well-being, and correct breed presentation.
Jovi has been a member of Groom Team Canada since 2017 and has served as team captain since 2022, helping lead the team to a Silver Medal at the 2024 World Grooming Competition in Belgium. Widely sought after as a judge and educator, she travels internationally to teach seminars and share her expertise. Passionate about mentorship and continued learning, Jovi remains dedicated to strengthening the grooming profession through education, leadership, and global collaboration.
Melissa Abbott
Welcome Melissa Abbott – Grooming Show Speaker | Tru North Grooming Show
Melissa Abbott is a Groom Team Canada member, salon owner, and professional pet groomer with over 13 years of industry experience. She opened The Foxy Hound in Chilliwack, BC eight years ago and began competing in grooming competitions in 2019.
While growing her salon, Melissa recognized a shortage of skilled groomers and began training her own staff — discovering a passion for education that quickly became a central focus of her career. That passion led to the creation of West Coast Groom Fest, British Columbia’s grooming-focused educational event, which she founded in 2022 to support learning, connection, and growth within the Canadian grooming community.
Melissa is deeply committed to competitive grooming and continues to challenge herself in the ring, valuing the learning that comes with every competition. Her achievements include multiple Best in Show wins, including Best in Show and Best International Groomer at SuperZoo 2024, as well as numerous 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes. In 2025, Melissa was ranked 1st in Poodles and 2nd Overall in Canada, further reflecting her dedication to excellence in grooming.
When she’s not grooming, teaching, or traveling to industry events, Melissa enjoys attending local dog shows and spending time outdoors with her husband Mark, and their four dogs.
Nadia Bongelli
Welcome Nadia Bongelli – Grooming Speaker | Tru North Grooming Show
Nadia Bongelli brings over 15 years of professional pet grooming experience from Toronto Canada, where her journey began with her Miniature Poodle, Juno, and a passion for competitive grooming. By 2015, she was a regular competitor across Canada and the U.S., earning prestigious accolades such as Barkleigh Honors’ “Up and Coming Groomer of the Year”, “International Speaker of the Year”, and “Groomer of the Year”. As Canada’s top-ranked competitive groomer since 2018, her career highlights include winning the Superzoo SuperJackpot twice, earning top placements at Belgium’s Groomania Competition, and securing a Silver Medal with Groom Team Canada at the 2024 World Grooming Championships. A sought-after speaker and Canadian Kennel Club exhibitor, Nadia’s expertise, passion, and engaging teaching style continue to inspire and elevate the grooming industry worldwide.
Monica Park
Welcome Monica – Grooming Speaker | Tru North Grooming Show
Monica has been in dog shows and pure bread dogs her whole life. Monica's mother was breeding and showing German Shorthaired Pointers and therefore passed along the love of handling.
In 2000 Monica started showing dogs professionally with Will Alexander. Monica has shown a multitude of breeds from Portuguese Water Dogs, Spaniels, terriers, and poodles to name a few. Monica's list of achievements is vast and her knowledge is invaluable.
For the past 20 yrs Monica has been running handling classes for people with a wide range of skill sets teaching them the art of presentation and how to get the best out of their dog.
Tanya Ellis
Welcome Tanya Ellis – Grooming Speaker | Tru North Grooming Show
Tanya Ellis is an entrepreneur, professional pet groomer, business owner, and author with deep roots in the animal care industry. Her career began at age 18 after working alongside Sherri Davis of BRB K-9, a respected trainer and show handler who helped shape her lifelong passion for animals. That early mentorship opened the door to a diverse range of experience, including work with the Toronto Zoo, dog daycares, walking services, veterinary hospitals, and both private and corporate grooming salons.
Tanya is a graduate with honours from the Animal Care program at St. Lawrence College in Kingston. Her entrepreneurial journey started modestly—grooming out of her parents’ basement, then her own—before evolving into the launch of her first brick-and-mortar salon, Pooches N’ Pals, in 2013. Over time, she expanded to multiple locations and currently operates two successful salons.
Today, Tanya’s focus extends beyond grooming to mentoring and empowering pet professionals. She is the creator of Charge Your Worth, a class designed to help groomers recognize the value of their skills, build sustainable incomes, and continue delivering compassionate, high-quality care to the pets and families they serve
Groom Team Canada Sanctioned
On behalf of the Tru North Grooming Show, the pet professionals, participants, vendors and those supporting the grooming industry, thank you Groom Team Canada for sanctioning the Spring Tru North Grooming Show.
Groom Team Canada is the national organization that represents Canada’s top competitive dog groomers on the international stage and supports excellence, education, and professionalism within the grooming industry.
Groom Team Canada exists to identify, train, and support elite Canadian groomers who compete in international grooming competitions, including world-level events. The organization sets high standards for technical skill, breed-appropriate presentation, sportsmanship, and animal welfare, helping ensure Canadian groomers are recognized globally for their professionalism and talent.
Beyond competition, Groom Team Canada plays an important role in advancing grooming education and industry standards across Canada. Through sanctioned events, judging oversight, mentorship, and collaboration with grooming shows and educators, the organization helps elevate the quality and credibility of competitive grooming nationwide.
Our Sponsors
The Tru North Grooming Show is Canada’s premier event for pet grooming professionals. A vibrant three-day experience packed with exciting competitions, hands-on education, exclusive show specials, and opportunities to connect with fellow groomers from across the country.
Copyright Tru North Grooming Show Canada. All Right are Reserved. 2026
The Tru North Grooming Show is Canada’s premier event for pet grooming professionals. A vibrant three-day experience packed with exciting competitions, hands-on education, exclusive show specials, and opportunities to connect with fellow groomers from across the country.
Copyright Tru North Grooming Show Canada. All Right are Reserved. 2025
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