How Pet Groomers Can Prevent Injuries and Accidents

How Pet Groomers Can Prevent Injuries and AccidentsHow Pet Groomers Can Prevent Injuries and AccidentsWhile being a pet groomer can be very rewarding and potentially lucrative, this is the hands-down most challenging profession within the pet industry, especially in that this field presents the greatest potential for injuries and accidents- to pets and groomers themselves. Not only do groomers often find themselves servicing squirmy, frightened, uncooperative or even downright aggressive pets, those in this profession as a rule work with sharp objects, cumbersome grooming tables, heated dryers, water, and other potentially hazardous objects and safety issues. Even the most experienced, skilled, responsible pet groomers are not immune from the periodic accident, often through no real fault of their own. As the old adage goes, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So below are some very important tips for preventing pet grooming accidents. Learn from Other Pet Grooming Ac cidents In the recent past, there have been quite a few horror stories related to this profession.In 2012, two customers that took their dogs to a Petco in Hawaii sued the store after their pets were allegedly injured. There have also been reports of unattended dogs being hanged by grooming loops when they accidentally fell from or attempted to jump off of grooming tables, dogs succumbing to heat exhaustion after being left under too-hot dryers, and dogs being attacked and severely injured or even killed by other dog customers. Chuck Simons, the inventor of the Groomers Helper pet grooming restraint, recounted an incident at an unnamed salon during which a dog jumped from a table when he saw his owner outside the salon, crashed through a plate glass window and caused a car accident, resulting in $1 million in total damages These may be extreme, rare examples of the kinds of accidents that can happen in pet grooming salons. But this illustrates how important it is for groomers to st ay on their toes and be prepared for anything. Safety Tips Make sure that the equipment you use ensures maximum safety for the pets, your employees and you. In addition, one needs to handle puppies, older dogs, and overweight pets with particular care. The aforementioned Groomers Helper is an excellent device in that it keeps pets from spinning, getting tangled in the loop, leaping and/or falling from tables and biting. Be careful when clipping or shaving pets that have extremely matted coats. As the mats may be very close to the skin surface, this presents a greater potential for cuts and nicks. So, if possible, draw the mat away from the skin with a comb before clipping. If this is not possible, consider shaving the pet. Be mindful of wet floors and dry them immediately to prevent slips and falls. This also goes for any areas where customers may be present. As such, be sure to clean up after any pet accidents in your waiting areas, make sure that dogs are separated to prevent fights, and always keep dogs secured on a leash when leading them through the salon. There are certain aromatherapy shampoos and grooming products that actually have a calming effect on pets. Last but not least, patience and gentleness really are great virtues in this profession. Always remain calm and speak to the pets in a soft, soothing voice and handle them with lots of TLC. What to Do in the Event of Injuries or Accidents Advanced preparation and always anticipating a worst-case scenario are crucial, which is why it is so important to have right liability insurance. When shopping for policies, bear in mind the possibility of accidents and injuries, to your clients and employees. It is equally important to always have first aid kits available- for pets and people- with the following items GauzeBand-AidsPeroxideAntibiotic cream You should immediately point out any injuries to the pets parents, apologize and offer to pay any vet bills that may result due to the injury. You the n may want to offer the client a free grooming session. Pick the Right Employees Another factor that is very important to consider is hiring the right staff as a preventative measure. Although certification and formal training are currently not required to be a pet groomer if at all possible its best to hire people who have received this. Its also very important to determine if your employees actually love animals, which is one trait that a lot of grooming business proprietors might overlook during the hiring process. Its easy to merely assume that anyone in this profession loves pets. Sorry to say, there are people who get into this pet services industry simply because its in demand and they merely regard this as a way to make a buck, not because they genuinely love animals. Those who do really love animals are more likely to work well with them and be more cautious. Know When to Fire Your Four-Legged Clients There may be occasions when one of your four-legged clients is so out of control and even downright dangerous, to others and themselves, that theres just no dealing with them. Thats when it may be time to part ways. Ultimately, maintaining such clients is just not worth the effort and stress, for you or the pet. So politely inform the client that you feel its in the best interest of the pet to cease being serviced by you. Ultimately, pet groomers who follow these guidelines and are always prepared for the worst-case scenarios can minimize potentially tragic accidents and injuries to pets, your human clients, your employees and yourself.

Computer Investigator and Digital Forensics

Computer Investigator and Digital ForensicsComputer Investigator and Digital ForensicsAs technology continues to advance, people working in the criminal justice and criminology fields have learned to change with it. More people conduct mora business online, and more occupations require at least some use of a computer. You can take advantage of the trend and earn a great salary working in computer forensics. Naturally, this has lead to an increase in opportunities to commit new kinds of crimes, such as hacking into major networks and stealing credit information. To combat and investigate such crimes and other incidents, new career opportunities for digital forensic experts and forensic computer experts have sprung up. What Do Computer Forensics Investigators Do? As the name implies, forensic computer investigators and digital forensic experts reconstruct and analyze digital information to aid in investigations and solve computer-related crimes. They look into incidents of hacking, trace sources of computer attacks, and recover lost or stolen data. The job of a forensic computer investigator or digital forensic expert often includes Recovering data from damaged or erased hard drivesTracing hacksGathering and maintaining evidenceWriting and reviewing investigative reportsWorking with computers and other electronic equipmentWorking closely with other assekuranzbrief officers and detectives Forensic computer investigators and digital forensic experts may conduct internal or external investigations. In fact, in many cases, they may be called upon more often to investigate in-house personnel. Private companies and government organizations may hire forensic computer investigators full time, or they may contract for their services. The investigators will likely be involved in looking for violations of company policies regarding computer use as much as they will be involved in crime solving. They work closely with other investigators and attorneys. What Education and Skills Do You Need? Of course, digital forensic experts need to have a vast array of knowledge regarding computers, on both the hardware and software sides. They must have intricate knowledge of computer operating systems, including the BIOS, and should be very familiar with Linux, Mac OS, and Windows. A college education is typically required, and specialized degree programs are becoming more widely available in universities across the country. Many students can now major in areas such as Computer Criminology. There may be occasions where candidates who can demonstrate relevant experience and skills will be considered for employment without a degree. Degrees related to criminal justice, computing, information technology or criminology, along with any relevant experience will also suffice.In addition to degree requirements, there are also a number of certifications available, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker program. Besides computer skills and related education and certifi cations, forensic computer investigators and digital forensic experts must also possess strong analytical and investigative skills. They need to be able to read and interpret data and to formulate conclusions, and they must be able to present their findings and conclusions in a format that can be easily understood. What Is the Salary? Computer forensics is a growing industry. Job availability within the industry is expected to grow significantly as society uses computers more and more for everyday business. Currently, those who go to work for public and governmental agencies can expect to earn around $50,000 per year. Computer forensic investigators and digital forensic experts who choose to work for private industries and investigative firms generally do so on a contractual basis, which means work may not be as regular or steady. However, the compensation may be significantly higher, with earning potential up to $200 to $400 per hour. Is It Right for You? If you enjoy probl em-solving and investigation, and you are skilled not only in using a computer but also in digging deep into computer systems, forensic computing may be the perfect career path for you. As with all careers in criminology, a job as a forensic computer investigator is both stimulating and rewarding. It allows you to put your unique skills and knowledge base to work in a field that can be very helpful to others.

The Best Criminology Graduate Schools in the United States

The Best Criminology Graduate Schools in the United StatesThe Best Criminology Graduate Schools in the United StatesAfter long deliberation on whether or not you should go to college in pursuit of a career in criminology, youve decided the university life is the right path for you. The bad news is that was the easy part. While choosing to go to school can be a tough decision, determining where to go to school can get even more complicated, so youll want to know where the best criminology schools are. Top Criminology Graduate Schools To help you get started on your college search, U.S. News and World Report has surveyed criminal justice and criminology programs across the United States to come up with a list of the top criminology graduate programs in the nation. The publication based their rankings on peer reviews, which were sent to faculty at 36 universities. Topping the list were The University of Maryland at College ParkThe University at Albany, State University of New YorkTh e University of CincinnatiThe University of Missouri at St. Louis. Pennsylvania State University at University Park and The University of California, Irvine were tied for 5th. The full list of rankings is available from the U.S. News University Directory. While the rankings are for graduate study programs, they can be quite helpful in determining where to go for your undergraduate degree. Undergraduate courses are often taught by graduate assistants and doctoral candidates, who are studying under the top minds in the academic realm of criminology. Choosing a School Of course, there are some other factors involved in determining where to go to earn your criminology or criminal justice degree. Proximity, cost of tuition and, the availability of scholarships and financial aid should also factor heavily into your choice. Finding Your Path In choosing a criminology degree program, you will also want to determine your career path. Yes, theres much to be gained by attending one of the schools considered to be among the best of the best, but the truth is that attending the best college is less important in some circles than it is in others. If you are planning to go an academic route and are more interested in the study of crime and behavior, or if you have designs on working in a field such as forensic psychology, it is a good idea to beef up your college credentials. A strong academic pedigree helps provide credibility and is a great first step in getting your foot in the door if you are inclined toward working as a researcher or professor. If you intentis to work in the field as a law enforcement officer or detective, the source of the degree will be far less important. Considering that many fields, including police officers and corrections officers, do not always require a college education, you will be ahead of the game by merely obtaining an undergraduate degree. No Substitute For Experience Another important consideration in determining what college to attend for a criminology degree is the availability of internships and opportunities to gain real-world experience while earning your diploma. The size of the city in which the school is located may be a factor in helping you make this determination the larger the population, the more likely it will be to find chances to work or volunteer for a local or state law enforcement agency or land an internship at a busy courthouse. Getting Ahead and Staying There Earning your college degree can be the difference maker in helping you get the job you want. A college education can also help prepare you for career advancement in the future. Finding the right school to fit your needs and goals is an essential step in finding a fun and rewarding career in criminology or criminal justice, and can help ensure you enjoy success in all aspects of your chosen field.