ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Irina “Pina” Pinkusevich realized her passion as a Pet Stylist while working part-time as a bather after immigrating from The Ukraine in 1989. In the earlier part of her career she worked as a Pet Stylist at some of the most high-end grooming salons in New York. Pina entered the world of Competitive Grooming in 2006 and went on to win countless awards including Best In Show, Best All Around Groomer, the Lynne Carver Award for the most Best All Around Groomer wins (twice), and the Liz Paul Memorial Award for the most Best in Show wins. Other notable wins were the Winner’s Circle Jackpot 2011 and The World Dog Show’s World Champion Award. Pina was also a member of GroomTeam USA from 2008 through 2013 and competed in the World Championships for the United States in 2009, 2011, and 2013 helping the U.S. team bring home a Silver & two Golds.
Along with being a world-renowned groomer, Pina is also a national & international judge, instructor, and speaker. She was awarded the Cardinal Crystal Award for Judge of the Year as well as the Barkleigh Honors Award for Up & Coming Speaker of the Year in 2014. Pina is a National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) with the National Dog Groomers of America and is also a Certifier for their company. In 2021, she launched her company Niira to bring high quality affordable grooming tools to the industry.
Dedicated to improving the industry, Pina offers dog grooming education through private lessons in and around Ft. Lauderdale, FL and also travels the world to instruct at various in-person conferences and seminars as well as online webinars and is an integral part of Artero’s Jornadas events.
Pina is also associated with Kiyara Poodles, a top breeder of miniature poodles in the United States owned by Michael Lamb & Bill Jividen Jr. She is also associated with Kerryfield Kennels, top breeders of Kerry Blue Terriers owned by Virginia Harding and Krizma Kennels owned by Lois Grier. With these kennels, Irina has bred & co-owned numerous champion Poodles & Kerry Blue Terriers.
Karolina Grembecka –
This was so much fun!! I love the Bedlington and was always curious how to groom them step by step! It is a very difficult trim but Pina made it as simple as possible! She’s an amazing teacher: knowledgeable, entertaining and kind to the dogs she’s doing demos on💗 lovely webinar!!
Lindsee Lee –
Amazing and detailed information. This is the first time I’ve seen anyone explain the Bedlington breed standard in a way that I could actually understand. Great camera angles, great explanations. Thank you!