Irina “Pina” Pinkusevich found her calling as a dog groomer after immigrating from Ukraine in 1989 and working part-time as a bather. She honed her skills at some of New York’s finest grooming salons before stepping into the competitive grooming scene in 2006. Pina quickly made a name for herself, winning prestigious titles like Best In Show, Best All Around Groomer, the Lynne Carver Award (twice), and the Liz Paul Memorial Award. She also triumphed at the Winner’s Circle Jackpot in 2011 and earned the World Dog Show’s World Champion Award. From 2008 to 2013, Pina was a proud member of GroomTeam USA, competing internationally and helping her team win a Silver and two Gold medals.
Beyond her achievements in grooming, Pina is celebrated as a judge, instructor, and speaker. In 2014, she was honored with the Cardinal Crystal Award for Judge of the Year and the Barkleigh Honors Award for Up & Coming Speaker of the Year. As a National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) with the National Dog Groomers of America, she also served as a Certifier for many years.
Pina’s passion for education brings her around the world for conferences, seminars, and workshops, including the PM Mastery Series with Ann Martin. In 2021, she launched Niira to provide top-notch, affordable grooming tools. Her journey with Groom Haüs began at its inception, and in 2024, she officially joined as Education Director and co-owner.
Pina is also deeply involved with Kiyara Poodles, Kerryfield Kennels, and Krizma Kennels, where she has bred and co-owned numerous champion Poodles and Kerry Blue Terriers. Her dedication to excellence and education has made her a beloved, well-known, and respected figure in the grooming community for good reason.
Amber Roehe –
thank you so much for this course. I learn a few things I did not know.
Shannon Day LaClair –
So helpful! Thank you
shadia.canahuati –
loved it!! very informative and educational.
joan_fusek –
Thanks.
Courtney Patrick –
Loved this course I always look for courses to better understand angulation
carla_van nuyssenborgh –
Very good.
Nefy Ncls –
Very useful
Rebecca Jacobsen –
learned a lot great course
Bradley Haley –
Really really cool. Seriously got SO much out of this course. Yeah and in such a short time – groom haus must watch!!!
Isabella Flores –
Great video with lots of information! I’m excited to print out the anatomy charts!
Linda Ruckle –
Absolutely the best course I’ve ever taken.
Sara –
As a baby groomer I have been looking for the “staple” things to learn so I can efficiently become better. Anatomy has been mentioned sooooo many times.
While I still don’t know a lot on this subject I feel like I have a great beginning grasp to it thanks to this course. Thank you!
Sady Muro –
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
I found the video to be quite enjoyable.
It was indeed very informative.
monica_clift –
very helpful thank you!!
valleyfairytails –
I absolutely love the diagrams attached they are such a fantastic resource to add to the course, even to reference while watching the course!
lauren_stewart –
Very, very informative! I love Pina’s teaching style, she makes everything sound so much less complicated and makes everything easier to understand.
deniz_koparan –
Great explanation
skye_rickey –
Perfect explanations of angulation and anatomy. Pina is always so well spoken and gives incredible advice on every subject.
desteni_dyer-cruz –
i liked the chart and then the live example. very helpful
Leah Garoutte –
Absolutely masterful grooming! Made me question my entire existence!! Cheers! 🙂
Lori Braa –
Great information! Loved all the tips!
madilyn_radcliff –
Great break down!
Beatriz Figarella –
Beautiful way to explain the structure very useful!!!! Thanks a lot for all the info 😊
Tiff Neal –
This is definitely one of my favorites. Thank you so much for the charts as well!!!
Marie Carpenter –
Good instructions
Karolina Pielichowska –
Another great seminar on my favourite breed! Thank you so much!!
shauna_waugh –
Wonderful course, very informative.
jinx.jasmin –
It was actually really helpful leaving the blocky straight lines at the beginning to show where the 30/60/90 angles are before softening them up with the thinners! Also love the tip about avoiding the armpit hole!!
Clarissa Duran –
As always a great teaching moment with Pina! Learning the dogs structure is super important and just following that on the dog when cutting in those lines, she made learning this really simple! Thanks for making helping make us all better at what we love to do!!
kylee_scharf –
I’m currently studying for my masters and I have felt so overwhelmed by this topic. But she explained things in a way I could finally understand! Thank you!
Maria Ribot –
Great course.
Christine Pierson –
Great course! Thank you!