Salon Success Strategies
Building Strong Partnerships Between Groomers and Veterinarians
by Amanda McGrath
At times, it can feel as if veterinarians and groomers are at odds with each other. Groomers tell stories of veterinarians blaming them for ear infections or other medical issues. Veterinarians, on the other hand, may not fully understand how or why groomers do certain things with the pets in their care. Misunderstandings can easily grow when each profession operates within its own scope and pressures.

Overcoming this divide is important—and not only for the pets in our care—but for the long-term benefits that come from collaboration with other pet professionals in our immediate area. When groomers and veterinarians work together instead of separately, everyone wins: the pets, the clients and both businesses.

Choosing a Veterinarian
If you are lucky enough to have a veterinarian practicing near you, I highly recommend getting to know them, their staff and the level of medical care they provide. When looking for a veterinary practice to partner with, the easiest and most obvious choice is the one you use for your own pets. There is already a level of trust established.

If you do not have pets of your own, or for some reason that isn’t a logical option, start with the practice closest to your salon. If you are a mobile groomer, choose one located near the center of your service radius.

Once a partnership has been established, it is important to create clear protocols for both parties.
Making the First Move
Call the office and ask if you can set up a date and time to meet with the practice manager. In most cases, you will not meet directly with the owner or veterinarian right away. The practice manager is often the gatekeeper and decision-maker when it comes to outside partnerships. Veterinary hospitals are busy, so setting up an appointment shows professionalism and respect for their time. Walking in unannounced and asking to speak to someone rarely leaves a good first impression.

Once your meeting is scheduled, preparation is key. Treat this as a professional interaction. Bring a clear outline of your processes and protocols, including vaccine requirements, safety procedures, pet handling standards, cleaning and disinfecting routines, and emergency response protocols. This demonstrates that you operate with structure and professionalism.

In addition, be prepared to explain the services you provide, any specialties you focus on, and certifications or titles you hold. Whether you specialize in senior pets, cat grooming, hand stripping, creative grooming or behavioral cases, this is your opportunity to educate them. Bring business cards, printed materials, or QR codes linking to your website or social media to make it easy for their staff to recommend you.

The Power of Lunch
Veterinary hospitals frequently host “lunch and learn” sessions. This is when a speaker comes in to teach the staff about a particular topic while providing lunch. It is an excellent opportunity for groomers.

Offering to present a short educational session about grooming can be incredibly effective in bridging the gap between professions. Many veterinary staff members have never toured a salon or seen what truly goes into a professional groom. If you are mobile, bring your van and offer tours. Let them see your setup, your safety measures and your workflow.

Your presentation does not need to be elaborate, but it must be professional and organized. Consider explaining what happens during a typical grooming appointment, why certain tools or techniques are used, how you assess skin, coat, ears and nails, and how you handle matted or behaviorally challenging pets. Encourage questions, as open dialogue builds understanding.

Establishing Clear Protocols
Once a partnership has been established, it is important to create clear protocols for both parties. These conversations may feel formal, but they prevent confusion later. Decide together how you will handle pets in your care that have minor health concerns and those experiencing emergencies. Questions to discuss include:
  • Will you call first or come directly into the office with the pet?
  • What happens if no veterinarian is in the building?
  • How will you handle pets under the care of a different veterinarian?
  • What constitutes a true emergency versus something that can wait?
Having these conversations before a crisis occurs makes emergency situations feel more controlled and less chaotic.

The same considerations should apply to pets referred to you by the veterinary office. Discuss expectations clearly, including:

  • Will you make room for severely matted pets in urgent need?
  • Are you comfortable grooming aggressive pets?
  • How will you handle pets with seizure disorders or other chronic conditions?
  • What documentation is required before grooming medically complex pets?
By talking through these scenarios in advance, both parties can better serve the pets in their care. It also protects your business from being placed in uncomfortable or unsafe situations without warning.
Respecting Scope of Practice
Pet groomers are strictly prohibited from diagnosing, treating or medicating animals, as we are not licensed veterinarians. Our role is cosmetic and hygienic, not medical. This distinction is critical and can be a common source of tension between groomers and veterinarians. It is essential that we uphold this boundary with professionalism.

An innocent comment such as, “I think your dog has a skin infection,” can easily be misinterpreted when the client repeats it to their veterinarian as, “The groomer said my dog has a skin infection.” Instead of diagnosing, describe what you observe, such as, “The skin appears inflamed and flaky in several areas.”

After pointing out your observation, recommend a veterinary exam. This protects you, respects the veterinarian’s role and reinforces professionalism.

Using a Vet Referral Form
A veterinary referral form can make this process easier and more consistent, especially if the client visits a veterinary practice other than the one(s) you’ve partnered with. A well-designed form may include:
  • Pet and owner information
  • Detailed notes about symptoms or concerns observed
  • Date first noticed and frequency
  • A simple body diagram marking the location of lumps or concerns
  • Your contact information for follow-up
This keeps communication factual and prevents misunderstandings. It also shows veterinarians that you operate within clear ethical boundaries.
A True Two-Way Relationship
Partnerships must benefit both parties. While it is wonderful to receive referrals from a veterinarian, consider what you can offer in return. For example, you might:
  • Offer to groom the clinic pet if they have one (A well-groomed clinic pet is a walking advertisement!)
  • Engage with their social media by liking, sharing and commenting on posts
  • Publicly support their events
  • Be available and professional when questions arise
Mutual support strengthens both businesses and builds trust within the local pet community.
When we shift from defensiveness to collaboration, incredible opportunities open up—referrals increase, communication improves, emergencies feel more manageable and clients gain confidence in both professions.
Collaboration During Disasters
Partnerships with veterinary hospitals become even more critical in disaster-prone areas. Wildfires, hurricanes, flooding and severe storms affect entire communities. Specifics to discuss can include evacuation procedures, temporary boarding or medical triage plans, communication strategies with clients, and supply shortages or emergency needs.

Planning together before disaster strikes can make a tremendous difference. When pet professionals collaborate ahead of time, more pets can be helped during emergencies. A united network is stronger than isolated businesses scrambling independently.

Changing the Narrative
When we approach veterinary partnerships with professionalism, humility and preparation, we elevate our own industry in the process. We demonstrate that grooming is not just for looks—it is skilled, structured and safety-focused work performed by trained professionals. We show that we understand our scope and respect theirs. And most importantly, we create a support system that benefits the pets we all care about.

At the end of the day, veterinarians and groomers share the same goal: healthy, safe and well-cared-for pets. When we shift from defensiveness to collaboration, incredible opportunities open up—referrals increase, communication improves, emergencies feel more manageable and clients gain confidence in both professions.

Bridging the gap doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts with a phone call, a meeting, a conversation built on respect. By taking the initiative to build professional relationships within your local pet community, you strengthen not only your own business but the entire network of care surrounding the pets you serve. And when groomers and veterinarians stand side by side instead of across from one another, the real winners are always the animals in our care.

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