Anesthetic Free Teeth Scaling

This program is designed for a Professional Pet Groomer or Veterinary assistant/technician that has at least one year experience. It is a program that allows the established groomer/vet assistant to broaden their scope of services and create another income stream opportunity to their existing practice.

The student will learn the skills needed to perform anesthetic free teeth scaling on dogs and cats. Students will also learn how to properly chart a pet’s teeth as well as tooth diseases, animal behavior, physiology and basic first aid on animals. The anesthetic teeth scaling part of the program will be covered in three courses of classroom, lab and online.

This includes understanding how to “Read the Dog” aka animal behavior, and understand physiology, the science of how bodily parts function.

Merryfield Academy has a great environment with outstanding instructors which creates the best foundation for our students’ success. There is no other pet grooming school in the country today that has a nationally recognized, award-winning staff like we do. Our goal is to impart their skills upon you, the student.

Open Door Policy for past students. If a student attended Merryfield Academy, graduated and/or received a “Completion Certificate” and has decided that they are not fully confident in any area, they may return to school for additional instruction at no additional charge.

Competitions and certification. There are many voluntary certifications and extracurricular activities available to Professional Pet Groomers, such as NDGAA, IPG, ISCC and PCGAA, and the school provides assistance in the preparation for competition or certification in these events.

All students must be 18 years of age; otherwise, a parent or legal guardian must consent and register the student with the approval. Enrolling students must show proof of high school diplomas (can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a high school diploma) or GED. Acceptable proof of graduation can also be a completed higher education Career Education Diploma, Associate, Bachelor or Master degree.

Ability to Benefit (ATB) admission is available on a limited basis for Professional Pet Grooming, Professional Pet Grooming with Anesthetic Free Teeth Scaling, Anesthetic Free Teeth Scaling and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC). The procedure for enrollment requires an interview and an “Admissions Questionnaire” must be completed. Upon acceptance into the program, the student will review and sign the Enrollment Agreement and may enroll.

Note: Must have at least one year of grooming or veterinary experience prior to enrolling in this program.

Program schedules. Day classes: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm. Evening classes: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Start dates. Start dates vary by program and day and evening classes.

Tuition, fees and equipment. Tuition $5,724.00 ($424 per quarter credit hour); Equipment and books $750.00; Total Cost $6,474.00. These charges are effective for the July 2026 start and beyond.

Payment. Equipment should not be purchased until the student is approved for admission. Tuition is due in full on or before your start date, unless special financial arrangements are made.

Equipment purchases. Students may accept or decline to participate in purchasing equipment and books from the school; they can buy their equipment and book from the school, or from outside vendors. Pell recipients who want to purchase from an outside vendor must notify Merryfield prior to the start date, and any equipment not from the school must be pre-approved. Students will receive all of their equipment on the first day of class. Used equipment is non-refundable.

Federal student aid. Federal Student aid at our school includes Grants (financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid unless, for example, you withdraw from the school and owe a refund) and Loans (borrowed money that you must repay with interest). These educational grants and loans are available for those that qualify. All newly enrolled students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to the start of the first class. Merryfield Academy’s federal school code is 042275.

Merryfield Academy is one of only two pet grooming schools in the nation that are nationally accredited and offers options for students to receive financial aid. This aid can be utilized towards any school costs and fees, but it’s only available to those who qualify.

Other financing. Apart from Title IV Loans, an independent finance company is in contract with the school to provide financing to those students who qualify. It is not a government sponsored entitlement, and eligibility for the loan is solely at the discretion of the lender.

Veterans. Merryfield Academy accepts VA education benefits, including Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch. 33) and Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31); a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility must be provided. Students must complete at least 18 hours or more per week to be eligible for the VA benefits.

Refunds. All monies paid are refunded if the applicant is not accepted, the program is canceled by the institution, or the student cancels within three business days after signing the enrollment agreement and making the initial payment. After classes start, tuition is refunded on a pro rata basis based on the percentage of quarter credit hours completed in the payment period or period of enrollment.

It is a program that allows the established groomer/vet assistant to broaden their scope of services and create another income stream opportunity to their existing practice.

Graduation and employment rates. As reported in Merryfield Academy’s most recent annual report to ACCSC (ACCSC Graduation and Employment Chart, report date July 2025):

• Anesthetic Free Teeth Scaling, 4-month program length (reporting period October 2023 – September 2024): graduation rate 78%, employment rate 71%.
• Anesthetic Free Teeth Scaling, 5-month program length (reporting period September 2023 – August 2024): graduation rate 100%, employment rate 80%.

Career services. When the student successfully completes their program, the school will assist the graduate with job placement at no additional charge. Merryfield Academy does not guarantee employment to its graduates. Students are assisted with additional activities such as writing/revising resumes, contacting potential employers, follow up on job leads, and scheduling of actual interviews. No fee is charged to graduates or employers for use of this service.

Student activities. Merryfield Academy provides students with a variety of activities throughout the year. Guest speakers are invited to the campus to speak to the student body about a variety of topics that may include career opportunities and self-development. Other events may include such things as contests, school sponsored events, holiday parties, food drives, community service activities, and career fairs.

Academic coaching and tutoring. The instructional staff members are available to assist students with problems stemming from classroom experiences, the school program, or related areas such as time management, project completion strategies, study skills or practice techniques. Tutoring is available before or after classes and is based on tutor availability; sessions may be held on campus or virtually.

Library and Resource Center. The school library/Resource Center consists of periodicals, books, computer stations and DVDs that are related to our field. In addition, the school has partnered with Aquinas Online Library to provide extensive resources from libraries around the world.

Campus. Merryfield Academy occupies approximately 16,000 square feet of dedicated classroom and lab space. The student/teacher ratio is 15:1. The entire building sits on 1 acre in East Fort Lauderdale.