OUR TRAINERS
The Dog Diversity trainers together possess over 65 years of grooming experience and have studied under a prominent master groomer. They hold a National Accreditation in Grooming and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, to ensure that individual student learning requirements are met.
Natalie West - Founder
OWNER AND FOUNDER
Natalie West has owned and operated Doggy Dooz Dog Grooming Salon for over 24 years, Dog Diversity Grooming School for over 20 years, and was a co-creator and founder of igroomhub in 2017, where she is now the CEO and Director of Dog Grooming Education.
In 1995, after returning from back-packing in Europe and seeing how wonderfully dogs were treated and groomed, Nat decided that Dog Grooming was the career for her. She achieved her certification in Professional Dog Grooming from a prominent industry Master Groomer in Heidelberg, Victoria, and since then has dedicated her career to bettering the industry.
Nat’s love for dogs continues to drive her to provide the industry with skilfully trained, caring and compassionate dog groomers. Nat believes great groomers don't necessarily need to win competitions, that the best judge of a groom is the dog itself. She has led the charge through education to prioritize a dog’s welfare during the grooming process in order to make the grooming salon a happy place for both dogs and groomers.
Nat is pictured here with Lolly, the Head Treat Checker, Bed Inspector and Quality Control Supervisor.
Colleen Beagley
STUDENT EDUCATION SUPERVISOR
Colleen’s passion for grooming began at Doggy Dooz in 2009, where she was able to become certified, and start on her own journey. After some time away to build up multiple successful salons and happy client bases, as well as completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Disease Biotechnology, Colleen has returned to share her passion for what she does, and impart knowledge to groomers beginning their own journey. Colleen has a special interest in animal health, and enjoys working with Vet clinics to make ensure all of the animals she works with continue to be happy, beautiful, and healthy.
Le’Rae de Carteret
DIY + FRANCHISE TRAINER
Le’Rae owned and operated a successful mobile dog grooming business for 13 years on the Southern Gold Coast.
Now training at Dog Diversity, she is loving the rewards of seeing people potentially change their careers and love what they’re doing.
Le’Rae has owned and loved dogs all her life. She has a particular passion for the golden oldies and taking them on live out their retirement days in utter comfort and style.
Leeza Braxton
STUDENT LIAISON
Leeza has been working in the pet industry for 12 years and has been grooming for 10 years. Leeza is also a past Dog Diversity student and started her grooming journey as mobile groomer then moved on to working in salon environment, which gave her the opportunity to upskill by learning from other groomers and groom a wider variety of dog breeds. Leeza also operated a home based dog grooming business, which allowed her to have more one on one time with the fur clients and establish a grooming schedule with owners that would meet the dog’s needs and suit the family’s lifestyle. Being a trainer at Dog Diversity, she understands that career change or entering into a new field of study can be daunting and overwhelming at times, and is committed to supporting each student and providing extra help where required every step of the way. Leeza truly enjoys watching each student embark on a new life adventure!
