(616) 667-7297 (PAWS) contact@paragonpetschool.com
110 Chicago Drive, Jenison, MI 49428
We are blessed with a staff that has a passion for pets and people. We are committed to providing you with an unsurpassed customer service experience. All of our Instructors and Coaches are highly experienced in teaching adult learners. Our communication style is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand.
Melissa Verplank has over 30 years of experience in the pet industry. Her mastery of grooming techniques has won her numerous awards at both national & international levels. She has run multiple businesses including:
She was at the ground level of the voluntary certification testing programs, earning her Certified Master Groomer title in the mid 1980s. Melissa was a member of the traveling team for GroomTeam USA – representing the United States in World Team Competition in France in the early 90s. Later, she was the GroomTeam USA Team Coordinator, served on the Board of Directors, and currently sits on the Advisory Board. She assisted in the start-up of the International Judges Association and is an approved grooming judge with the United Showmanagers Alliance. Ms. Verplank is highly sought-after industry speaker, contest grooming judge, author, and a two-time Cardinal Crystal Achievement winner.
When Melissa is not working within the realms of the pet industry, she and her husband, Marc LaFleur spend time on their 123-acre Black Falcon Farm, where they promote Friesian horses. Together, she and Marc enjoy all types of outdoor adventures including trail riding, fly fishing, hiking, and scuba diving. Melissa also loves healthy gourmet cooking. Their four-legged family includes three Maremma Sheepdogs, a Bernese Mountain Dog, seven cats, six Friesian horses, and an array of chickens.
Marc LaFleur has over 23 years experience in the pet grooming field. He is a Certified Master Groomer, an award-winning contest stylist, and a mobile stylist. Currently he is the Dean of Students and Home Study Program Coach at The Paragon School of Pet Grooming. Marc is also very actively involved with Learn2GroomDogs.com as the videographer and production assistant. He is also an industry consultant. Marc’s specialties include hand scissoring, speed, efficiency, mobile grooming, and left-handed grooming.
Marc is married to Melissa Verplank and is active in all of her business pursuits. When Marc is not working, you can find him working with the horses he loves - Friesians. Marc and Melissa established Black Falcon Farms where they focus on promoting the enchanting Friesian horse. He is a great outdoorsman and an incredible outdoor cook, including Dutch oven cooking methods. Marc loves scuba diving, downhill skiing, boating, exploring the country, trail riding, and camping with horses.
A 1997 Paragon graduate, Teresa comes from a corporate background as a CAD drafter for a furniture manufacturing plant. Her love for animals brought her to Paragon in 1995 as a student and a few years later brought her back again as an instructor.
Teresa Dreese is a Certified Master Groomer, an award- winning contest stylist, Lead Trainer, General Manager for The Paragon School of Pet Grooming and for White Dog Enterprises, GroomTeam USA Coordinator & Board Member, and an industry consultant. Her specialties include breed profile trimming and hand scissoring.
She and her husband Mark live with a four-legged family consisting of a Jack Russell Terrier and two cats. Chickens were recently added to the mix. Teresa enjoys bowling, golf, traveling, spending time with her family, and motorcycling with her husband.
Joelle Asmondy earned her B.A. in Art from Western Michigan University and has been an active artist, producing fine art as well as graphic design, for the last 20 years. While at WMU, her interests in student development prompted her to take active roles in creating and implementing diversity training. She parlayed these experiences into a successful career in customer service and sales. Before joining the Paragon team in 2009, she developed her marketing and design skills while managing the copy department at a national chain. Later, she was a project manager and service leader for a local G7 certified master printer. Her creative skills as well as her abilities to develop and grow customer and staff relationships made her transition to her role at The Paragon School of Pet Grooming a natural fit. She currently serves as the Marketing and Operations Director for Paragon while managing marketing Melissa Verplank’s other companies, Learn2GroomDogs.com, White Dog Enterprises, Whiskers Resort and Pet Spa, and MelissaVerplank.com.
Joelle shares her home with her partner of 14 years, their three cats, and Puggle. She is an avid reader, loves to bicycle, and enjoys working in her garden. When she’s not at Paragon, you can usually find her in her art studio or the local bookstore.
Misty Fowler has over 20 years of experience in the pet grooming industry. She is a Certified Master Groomer, an award winning stylist, a three- time member of GroomTeam USA’s top 10 groomers, and was a Lead Trainer at The Paragon Training Center. Currently she is an active, full-time stylist at Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa and is one of the most popular video trainers on Learn2GroomDogs.com. Her specialties include hand scissoring, breed profile trimming, speed, and efficiency.
Misty lives with her husband, Rick. They share their home with two standard poodles and a cat. When she is not working, Misty is an active runner and bicyclist, entering local running and biking events on a regular basis.
Jennifer Hecker is a Paragon alumnus with over 15 years of experience in the pet grooming field. She is a Certified Master Groomer, an award-winning contest stylist, a Lead Trainer, an active pet stylist at Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa, and a high-level competitor in French Ring Sport with Giant Schnauzers. Jennifer participates in AKC conformation dog shows showing her Champion Dandi Dinmont Terriers. Her specialties include hand stripping, breed profile trimming, speed, efficiency, and mobile grooming.
Jennifer shares her home with multiple cats as well a rabbit and three dogs. When she is not grooming, she enjoys reading, traveling, ballroom dancing, gardening and all things “doggie.” She has competed and titled dogs in AKC Conformation, Obedience and Tracking as well as French Ring Sport, Mondioring, and Schutzhund.
Hilaire’s love of animals and desire to work professionally with them brought her to Paragon for training. She specializes in working with geriatric and temperamental dogs but also has a special gift of working with cats. She is a favorite among the students because of her positive attitude and patience.
Hilaire lives with her Jack Russell (Luna), her Cairn Terrier (Scooter), and three cats, Webster, River and Ra. In her spare time, she enjoys anything animal related, hiking, and any other outdoor activity, especially during Michigan summers.
Jennifer graduated from the Paragon School on 1993. She gained experience at a high volume salon before returning as in Instructor in late 1994. She continued to grow her skills as a stylist by attending grooming shows, seminars, and clinics. During these years she did very well in the grooming contest arena with a wide variety of dogs, including Poodles, American Cocker Spaniels, and Welsh Terriers.
In 1999, Jennifer's first child was born. By 2000, Jennifer opted to focus on her family, leaving Paragon but never leaving the pet grooming field. She continued to work part-time as a stylist while she raised her family. She groomed at high-volume salons, vet clinics, and also from home, balancing her love of animals with her growing family.
One of Jennifer's passions is helping abandoned pets find loving homes. Jennifer works closely with a local rescue organization called Kelley's Heart-2-Heart. She ot only fosters pets in her home, but has served on the Board of Directors since 2009.
Jennifer returned to Paragon as an Instructor in 2011. Jennifer is a strong leader with fresh ideas and an eye for quality and safety. Our students are fortunate to have her back where they can learn from one of the best!
Jen shares her home with her husband and three wonderful children. They have three dogs, a cat, and a rabbit. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting and supporting her children's enthusiasm for the sport of Bicycle Motocross.
Shannon is a 2005 Paragon graduate who was hired when an instruction position became available. She worked at several grooming salons along with a full-time position at a machine shop before coming to Paragon. Shannon also has vast experience with horses including training, serving as a trail guide, and participating in various competitions. Her background with animals and gentle touch make her an asset to the Paragon training team. Currently Shannon is testing through the IPG to become a Certified Master Groomer and has also stepped into the grooming competition ring. She has accepted a position as a groomer on weekends at Paragon’s sister company, Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa.
Shannon and her husband Todd share their home with two dogs, two cats, and a horse.
Jasmine is a 2011 Paragon Graduate who has recently joined our Customer Service team. Before coming to work with us, she was a full-time groomer in Grand Rapids, Her background in grooming, combined withh her organizational and people skills makes her a perfect fit for her new role.
Jasmine shares her home with her yellow lab, Koda Bear. When she has spare time, she enjoys doing all things animal-related. She enjoys volunteering for various animal rescue groups and spending time with family and friends.
Christine has an extensive history in customer service with a background as a veterinary assistant, so she was the perfect fit as a customer service representative at The Paragon School. She helps the staff and students with various animal care issues along with greeting pet clients and their families every morning.
Christine, her husband David, and their teenage daughter, Sydney, share their home with four cats and a dog. Christine enjoys spending time with her family.
Caroline is a 2011 Paragon Graduate who has recently joined our Customer Service team.
Bree graduated from Paragon in 2011 and became a member of our Customer Service team shortly after completing the program. She has worked as a full-time groomer and has extensive customer service experience. She is excited to put the skills she hsa learned as a groomer and in working with the public to good use at the Paragon School of Pet Grooming.
Bree and her husband live with their two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, reading, rollerblading with her dogs, and spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Whitney has enjoyed a lifelong career as an owner, breeder, and exhibitor of top winning AKC sporting dogs. She is a graduate of The Paragon School as well as an award-winning pet stylist. Her specialties include hand stripping and profile grooming, human resources, and educational development.
