Speakers
Kate Klasen
Kate Klasen is a distinguished veteran of law enforcement, having served in various capacities within the Chicagoland area. With a wealth of experience under her belt, she now calls Arizona home, where she channels her expertise and passion into her role as the owner of H.E.L.P.
Kate’s dedication to serving her community shines through her founding of H.E.L.P. (Human & Animal Emergency Lifeline Preparedness). Drawing from her extensive background as a first responder, Kate imparts crucial emergency preparedness skills for both people and pets. Her offerings include Animal CPR/First Aid & Emergency Preparedness courses, aligning with her mission to ensure the safety and welfare of all beings.
During her tenure with the Police Department, Kate’s versatility was evident as she held roles ranging from certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to 9-1-1 dispatcher and police officer. She served as a field training officer for dispatchers and contributed her expertise to the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA), where she instructed first responders in CPR/First Aid and defensive tactics.
H.E.L.P. offers Emergency Preparedness consultations for pet businesses, furthering Kate’s dedication to ensuring safety across diverse settings.
Kate continuously hones her expertise through training with entities like Pet Tech, K9 Medic, Red Cross, Paravet K9, SARC, RECOVER, Veterinary Tactical Group, USCCA Practical Tactical Medicine Courses, and Stop the Bleed.
Since transitioning from law enforcement, Kate remains steadfast in her commitment to education and service. She believes in the power of collaborative learning and warmly invites individuals from all backgrounds to join her in the classroom, where she shares invaluable insights gleaned from decades of training and real-world experience.
Kate is also a dedicated advocate for resilience and mental health within the first responder community. With a distinguished career in emergency response, she has combined her extensive experience with specialized training in trauma peer support counseling and crisis intervention. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by her peers, Kate founded Bishop’s Mission, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing critical support through peer-led debriefings, animal-assisted interventions, and resilience-building tools. Her unwavering commitment to uplifting and supporting first responders continues to drive her mission to create a compassionate and supportive network for those who serve.
Anjie Coates
As a law enforcement officer of 11 years, safety is Anjie’s passion. She started teaching classes for nursing students about domestic violence while in law enforcement. Though she left law enforcement to go back to grooming full time, her passion for helping others avert risk never waned. During her 36 years in the grooming industry, Anjie spent a significant amount of time learning about every aspect of grooming and business. She knew she had to share the knowledge she had gained and began teaching grooming and business so others could learn the secrets of her success. This has also led her to teach Pet First Aid & CPR classes for pet professionals and owners and become a HELP Master Chief Instructor. Her passion for continuing education is evident in her achievements, including CMRG, ICMCG, CCE, PGC, CMPTI, and PGCE. In 2023, her book, the first rabbit grooming book in the industry, “The Quintessential Rabbit Book,“ was published. She has been a web designer for over three decades and owns Coates Design, a web design company specializing in the needs of the pet industry.
Two days of education to help you provide safety for yourself, your staff and your clients!
Schedule
Saturday July 19, 2025
9AM PST Personal Safety 4 hours
One of the unfortunate sides of being a female majority in the world of grooming is that women are far more at risk for their personal safety. In fact, women account for 72.5 percent of all nonfatal workplace violence cases, with an annualized incidence rate of 5.0 cases per 10,000 full-time workers, which is significantly higher than the rate for men at 1.4 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. We deal with aggressive customers, and sometimes these interactions go off the rails. I will help you change your perception of safety and empower you to make safety in your salon, mobile van, or housecall grooming a habit. This course covers both safety at trade shows and personal safety in your day-to-day life.
2 PM PST Safety Equipment
As groomers, we have a vast array of tools at our disposal, each designed for a specific task. This class will explore this variety, helping us to understand and utilize the tools that can best ensure the safety and well-being of the pets we care for.
Sunday July 21, 2025
9 AM PST Emergency Preparedness for Pet Groomers: Safeguarding Paws & Peace of Mind
In the dynamic world of pet grooming, where the well-being of beloved animals is paramount, unexpected emergencies can arise. As a profession with a significant female majority, pet groomers, whether working in a salon, mobile van, or offering housecall services, often face unique personal safety challenges alongside the inherent risks of working with animals. This essential course is designed to equip you with the critical knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate a wide range of emergencies, ensuring the safety of yourself, your staff, your clients, and most importantly, the precious pets in your care.
