AKE 20.16 Sam and Cynthia Kohl collection of dog grooming materials

Sam and Cynthia Kohl are legends of the pet care and dog grooming industry. Kohl has published important in-depth grooming guides, made numerous innovations in grooming tools, and alongside Cynthia has served as mentor to thousands of pupils of their New York School of Dog Grooming.

Sam Kohl set aside his veterinarian aspirations when he enlisted in the Marine Corps following high school. After completing his service he opened a tropical fish store in 1950, followed by two pet shops. After fielding so many inquiries on dog grooming by customers, he attended a dog show to observe professionals in action, and soon therafter enrolled in the New York School of Dog Grooming owned by Ben Stone. Upon his graduation, Stone offered Sam a parternship. In 1969, he and Cynthia took over the whole institution.

The Kohls evolved the operation into one of the prestigous grooming schools in the world, with two satellite locations and an international student base. Sam and instructor Cathy Goldsten worked to improve the curriculum by collaborating with AKC breed clubs to develop and standardize grooming instructions on each specific breed. In 1972, Sam published step-by-step instructions along with illustrations and diagrams as The All Breed Dog Grooming Guide, which continues to serve as the bible of the grooming industry, selling over 100,000 copies over multiple editions. He wrote for a number of publications, including a regular column for Groomer to Groomer magazine from the 1970s through 2000.

The Kohls formed the company Aaronco Pet Products, Inc. in 1987, to produce equipment that would help make groomers' lives easier and maximize efficiency, while prioritizing the comfort of both human and dog. Sam's first invention was the Hairmostar ear-hair puller, developed after Cynthia complained hat the tool for pulling hair from Poodles' ears was painful due to locking clamps. Sam created prototypes that Cynthia would ergonomically test, and both worked to refine the designs, which ranged from scissors with adjustable knobs to a complet eline of stripping tools. Kohl also served as a consultant to other manufacturers, urging universal improvements and revolutions in items like grooming tables and dryers, and spearheaded the introduction of brightly colored and patterned grooming loops to the market.

The Kohls sold the New York Dog Grooming School in 2000, but continue to attend trade shows and mentor young groomers. Sam, who still lectures on the practice and history of grooming, was awarded the Barleigh Honors Sally Liddick Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.