Shirlee Kalstone becomes
Director of Judges Education for IJA
(International Judges Association)

The International Judges Association is proud to announce the appointment of Shirlee Kalstone as the Director of Judges Education.

Shirlee, known worldwide as the First Lady of Dog Grooming, is the founder of Intergroom and is credited with conducting the first international dog grooming competition in 1982.

She will organize an international panel of mentor grooming and conformation judges to conduct the Judges Education Program, which will feature both international forums and online courses that will have a tremendous impact on both judging standards and judges' qualifications for grooming competitions worldwide.

“It has been my dream for many years to further the knowledge of judges for grooming competitions, which have been such an important part of my life,” said Kalstone “and I can think of no better way to do this than with Vivian and John Nash, with whom I have known and worked with for many years.”
Vivian Nash agrees, and further commented, “John and I are not only very excited, but also honored to have Shirlee on board with us as we approach our ten year anniversary of IJA.”

Kathy Rose, IJA Team Director, stated her approval by saying, “IJA could not have appointed a more qualified individual than Shirlee Kalstone to carry out this important task of education for our judges.”

Joey Villani, IJA judge, said, “I look forward to the wealth of knowledge Shirlee will bring to this position and IJA in general.”

The International Judges Association was established in 1998 by Vivian and John Nash to standardize and promote fair and equitable placement of contestants agreed upon and accepted by a panel of judges in professional dog grooming competitions.