A clipper assembly for clipping the claw nail of an animal and its associated method of use. The clipper assembly has a set of opposing cutting edges. The cutting edges are part of a clipping mechanism that selectively biases the cutting edges toward each other with enough force to cut an animal's claw nail. A light source is provided adjacent one of the cutting edges. The light source is oriented to shine light through a claw nail. The light has a frequency and intensity that enables some of the light to travel through the claw nail. As the light travels through the claw nail, it causes the features within the claw nail to come into contrast. The position of the blood vessels within the claw nail can therefore be observed. The claw nail can then be liberally clipped without cutting the blood vessels.