Teri L. Bialek - Director -Originally from Long Island, N.Y., now resides in Largo, Fl. with Lila and Pretzelle. Her love for the Dogs came from her parents Blossom and Don Bialek who showed and bred Irish Setters in New York. Her influence from her parents and genuine passion for dogs brought her to the dog show ring at ten years of age. As the years went on she continued to show, groom, and breed dogs of many types, winning in American and International competition. Teri opened Grooming by Teri in 1979 in Seminole, Florida, and Grooming By Teri II, a full service salon in 1986, featuring boarding, pet and show grooming, and retail supplies, in Largo, Florida. In 1999 she incorporated the Academy of Animal Arts, Inc., where she is currently the Founder and Director. She attributes her ability to teach from her knowledge and handling experience of twenty plus years. Teri is making application with AKC to judge basenjis, whippets, dobermans and poodles, with future plans of all around judging. In the future Teri plans to make application to judge AKC shows and is currently approved to judge for CKC and NCA and has judged sweepsktakes for AkC in three different breeds.

Member Of:

Joy Meinecke - Assistant to the Director, resides in Largo, FL with her husband Glenn, son Nick and their three dogs; Mocha/Australian Shepherd, Echo/Australian Cattle Dog and Scooter/Shih-Tzu.

Joy has academic background in finance, executive office administration, accounting fundamentals, finance and computer.

Aside from Joys background in the business world, she has spent much effort with the church and independently volunteering and working with children and students. Her abilities to multitask on a higher level, love for animals and students make her the perfect fit for the Academy.

Corinne Carraggi-Hulett -Instructional Staff -  originally from Quincy, MA, now resides in Largo, Fl.
with her husband William, son Michael, and their new Standard Poodle Jadda. Corinne has bred and shown Whippets for many years and now is showing Standard Poodles. She began her career in the Pet Grooming industry at the Directors salon in 1993. She easily achieved her Complete Sixteen Week Diploma and Advanced Diplomas at the Academy. Corinne worked under the direct supervision of Teri L. Bialek, the school Director, as an Assistant for over a decade and a half and was trained exclusively as an Instructor in 2000. Corinne has acquired the necessary skills to teach Basic to Advanced Pet Grooming, as a result of her many years of experience, education and dedication to this industry. She has a passion for animals and her enthusiasm and skills are passed on to the students.

Dr. Kim Donovan, D.V.M -Guest Lecturer -  Grew up in the Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, and Clearwater areas. She attended the University of Florida as an undergraduate and received a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology in 1990. She was a medical technologist in Clearwater in a private laboratory for 3 ½ years. She then attended Ross University Veterinary School on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. She did her clinical year at the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine. She graduated from Ross in 1997. She practiced small animal medicine in Liverpool, NY for 3 ½ years. She then moved back to Florida and is currently working at Oakhurst Veterinary Clinic in Seminole. She currently resides in Clearwater with her husband and 3 cats. Her hobbies include reading novels, boating, playing tennis, playing piano, and working out. She is looking forward to retiring one day on a large piece of property in a small house and getting a horse, goat, ducks, and many more dogs and cats.

Ms Amy Edwards- Divine Canine – Canine Massage Reiki, Wellness and Behavior Amy Edwards has years of animal handling experience as a member of the Bay Area Disaster Animal Response Team, International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Family Dog Trainer at the SPCA Tampa Bay, Humane Education Speaker for the SPCA Tampa Bay and has been deployed since 2004 to disasters and rescues including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ike, Pine Bluffs Puppy Mill in Tennessee and Whispering Oaks Puppy Mill in West Virginia. Amy received her Level II Reiki certification from Marie Conrad, Usui/Mayan/Karuna Reiki Master and Medical Qigong Therapist in Palm Harbor, Florida and her Canine Massage Certification from Animal Healing Arts in Gulfport, Florida. Her education is continued through seminars, hands on with clients and rescues and classes. She volunteers her services to non-profit animal organizations and does speaking engagements and seminars on animal cruelty, puppy mills and canine massage.