Ottawa Valley Groomer Shines at Regional Competition
Ottawa's pet grooming scene has a new star to celebrate — Petawawa's Katie Laprade walked away with the coveted best-in-show title at the Ottawa Ontario Grooming Show, earning top honours among competitors from across the region.
The win puts Laprade, who hails from Petawawa in the Ottawa Valley, in the spotlight as one of the area's most skilled professional groomers. Best-in-show is the highest distinction a competitor can earn at a grooming competition, awarded to the groomer whose work is judged to be the most technically accomplished and creatively polished across all breed and style categories.
What Is a Grooming Show?
For those unfamiliar, competitive dog grooming is a serious professional discipline that blends technical skill with artistry. Competitors are judged on a range of criteria — scissor work, breed-standard styling, finishing, and overall presentation. Events like the Ottawa Ontario Grooming Show attract groomers at every level, from students just entering the trade to seasoned professionals looking to benchmark their skills against the region's best.
The Ottawa Ontario Grooming Show serves as both a competition and a professional development event, bringing together groomers, suppliers, and industry educators from across Eastern Ontario and beyond.
Ottawa Valley Proud
Laprade's win is a source of pride for the Ottawa Valley community, which has a strong tradition of skilled tradespeople and animal care professionals. Petawawa, located roughly 160 kilometres west of Ottawa along the Ottawa River, is home to a tight-knit community where local achievements tend to get noticed and celebrated.
Earning best-in-show at a regional grooming competition of this scale is no small feat — it signals that Laprade's work stood above the field in the eyes of the judges, a recognition that can open doors to national-level competitions and elevate a groomer's professional profile significantly.
A Growing Industry
Pet grooming has grown into a robust industry across Canada, with demand for skilled groomers rising alongside increasing pet ownership rates. Competitive grooming events like the Ottawa Ontario Grooming Show play an important role in setting professional standards and inspiring the next generation of groomers to raise their craft.
For Ottawa and the surrounding Ottawa Valley region, having a local competitor claim best-in-show is a reminder that world-class talent exists right here at home.
Congratulations to Katie Laprade on this well-earned achievement — the Ottawa Valley is cheering you on.
Source: 104.9 Pembroke Today
