How far would you go to save your pet?

Would you punch a bear in the face?

Last week, one cosmetologist in Juneau, Alaska, did just that. When her dachshund Fudge was snagged by a black bear that had been hanging around their neighborhood, 22-year-old Brooke Collins bravely slugged it out to save her dog.

“It had her kind of like when they eat salmon,” Collins said. “I was freaking out. I was screaming at it. My dog was screaming. I ran up to it … I just punched it right in the snout, and it let go. I think it was more startled than anything.”

Black bears aren’t uncommon in Juneau, especially when natural resources – like berries – are scarce, leading them to wander into towns in search of food. Collins is an Alaskan native and used to having to deal with the big beasts and take precautions around them.

As for Fudge, she was not seriously hurt, although Collins says she is keeping her animals inside for the moment since that particular bear is still in the area.

If it comes down to round two, we’ve got bets on Collins for the knockout punch.

Celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson has added yet another credit to his already impressive resume. In addition to running his eponymous NYC salon (which is to die for, by the way), namesake product line, and appearing on the hit TLC show “What Not To Wear”, Mr. Gibson is the new spokesperson for the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS).

According to WWD, in his new role, Ted will raise awareness about the importance of a cosmetology education. For example, Ted could possible speak to members of Congress this fall to encourage government support for beauty school students. Pretty cool, huh?

It’s great to see someone as accomplished as Ted Gibson give back to the beauty school community. A rarity, to be sure! Who else would you like to see become involved in the cosmetology education community?

It’s been just over a month since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and organizations and charities around the county are still in need of aid for the earthquake-ravaged country. Charities and corporations aren’t the only ones pitching in to help Haiti. California-based Marinello Schools of Beauty recently raised an impressive $22,500 in funds for Haiti.

Marinello donated the proceeds from all student salon and spa services performed on January 16th throughout its 41 campuses. Students, staff and faculty took to the internet to get the word out through the use of Twitter, Facebook and email campaigns. As a result almost 1,500 guests got pampered in support of this worthy cause. All the money raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Is your cosmetology school raising funds for Haiti earthquake relief or other charitable causes in your community? Please share!

Pivot Point Academy in Evanston, Illinois

Pivot Point International Academy, an Illinois beauty school, is helping promote the 7th annual Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day (CSBSD) on December 1. The school is one of several offering free hair and beauty services that day for the CSBSD event.

Read the full article here.
More about Pivot Point Academy in Evanston, Illinois.

Tulip City Beauty College in Holland, Michigan

Tulip City Beauty College is the first nationally accredited cosmetology school in Holland, Michigan, and has just opened in a newly renovated building. Tulip City’s accreditation means beauty students can qualify for financial aid. This school is the fourth cosmetology school to be opened in a group owned by Jim Moored and his family.

Read the full article here.
More about Tulip City Beauty College in Holland, Michigan.

One of the most important questions a potential cosmetology school student has is how to pay for cosmetology education. The Montgomery GI Bill was designed to provide soldiers and veterans with financial funding for higher education. Each state has its own Montgomery GI Bill approving agency, and technical schools such as beauty schools are ideal candidates. The GI Bill has even recently been expanded to cover the spouses and dependents of military personnel, so it’s important for beauty schools to recognize and appreciate the service soldiers and their families have given to our country.

Ryan Vaia, a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, long dreamed of becoming a licensed cosmetologist. However, when she applied to one Illinois cosmetology school, she discovered the beauty school would not maintain Illinois VA compliance because of the need to have an on-site member of the staff maintain academic records. Fortunately there are more than two dozen other Illinois cosmetology schools that do not have that issue.

If you’re a member of the military or immediate family, you may be able to benefit from the Montgomery GI Bill – but make sure the cosmetology school you choose is approved and willing to work with you! As for Vaia, she is already looking at other cosmetology schools in Illinois in order to transfer to one approved for the Montgomery GI Bill.

What are your thoughts on situations like Vaia’s? Have you ever run into any challenges applying the Montgomery GI Bill funding to a cosmetology school education?

Salon Professional Academy in Nashville, TN

Salon Professional Academy, a cosmetology school in Nashville, Tennessee, is lending a hand in today’s hurting economy. They are now offering cosmetology scholarships to General Motors employees who’ve been recently laid off to help them get back on the career track.

Read the full article here.
More about Salon Professional Academy in Nashville.

House of Heavilin Beauty Colleges in Kansas City, MO

House of Heavilin, a Kansas City beauty school chain, is helping raise money for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Each of their locations will be holding a cut-a-thon, offering inexpensive haircuts and donating the proceeds to NCMEC.

Read the full article here.
More about House of Heavilin Beauty College in Kansas City

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology in South Carolina

South Carolina’s Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology is lending a hand to victims of tornado damage. On July 22, students at this South Carolina beauty school offered five hours of free haircuts to local residents who were dealing with setbacks from storm damage earlier this year.

Read the full article here.
More about Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology in South Carolina.

Brio Academy of Cosmetology in East Hartford, Connecticut

Brio Academy of Cosmetology in East Hartford, Connecticut is offering free back-to-school haircuts for kids whose families are struggling financially and need a little help with back-to-school supplies. The Connecticut cosmetology school is participating as part of the city social services “Back to School Supplies” program.

Read the full article here.
More about Brio Academy of Cosmetology in East Hartford.

Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This article from the Examiner talks about the number of people getting massages doubling in the last decade for relief of stress, muscle pain and back pain. The article mentions the wildly successful Aveda Institute of Beauty & Wellness in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is a massage therapy school that those future licensed massage therapists to be successful in the massage therapy field!

Read the full article here.
More about the Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness in Milwaukee.

Brio Academy of Cosmetology in Niantic, Connecticut

This is a heartwarming story about 18-year-old Kimberley Gladue who struggled early in high school and didn’t have much going for her who turned her life around and now plans to attend Brio Academy of Cosmetology in Niantic, CT in the fall. She is passionate about hair, makeup and skincare, and someday hopes to open her own salon.

Read the full article here.
More about the Brio Academy of Cosmetology in Connecticut.