Author: Joanna King
The words “dog spa” conjure up an image sure to cause an eye roll.
Dog spa? Really? Oh, brother!
But what Trudi Jensen is bringing to dogs in Danville is something more than a silly indulgence for the pampered pets of the posh set.
A lot more.
“I am concerned as much about the mental aspect of the dog as the physical. There is always a point in the treatments — always — when the dog will look me in the eye as if to say ‘You’re really not going to hurt me?’ and it breaks my heart. I’ve never had a client come to pick up their (happy, relaxed and coiffed) dog who I didn’t get to see their jaw drop by how their dog looked — and not just physically,” she said.
Jensen’s first client at Lather With Love Dog Groom and Spa at 266 Jane Trail in Danville was May 15, but it was hardly her first client ever.
“I’ve been connecting with dogs since I was very young,” she said. “My first dog was constantly getting brushed and styled. I’ve been told my first language was ‘dog.’ That I spoke it fluently at 2 years old.”
Jensen’s new business brings her full-circle, she believes, to her life’s purpose. It has been an impressive journey.
Originally from New Orleans, she has had successful careers on an often-international scale from Dallas to the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. She has worked in construction, broadcasting, promotions and even owned a jazz and music series staged at the world-renowned Searles Castle in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Through it all, one of her abiding passions over a lifetime has been her devotion to dogs.
Jensen said she has always been involved with training and showing dogs — particularly Saluki and Borzoi breeds. The national Saluki breed competition brought her to Lexington for several years where she became a member of that contest’s board. The association with the horse park led to a position there which then led to a position training stallions in Perryville.
Opening Lather With Love allowed her to turn her passion into a profession.
Her workspace resembles a high-end beauty salon with soothing shades of purple, candles and strains of Schubert bringing it all into harmony. There are no harsh lights, no choke chains, no high-pressure hoses, metal combs or loud dryers. Jensen sees one dog at a time and gives each her full attention for as long as an appointment requires.
Everything Jensen does is designed for holistic health and as a relaxing, nurturing experience. The majority of dogs she has groomed thus far have been traumatized in the past by groomers who cleaned the dog without regard to the fear and discomfort of an assembly-line process. Even dogs turned away by other groomers for biting eventually give her not only cooperation but something like permission.
The treatments are individually designed depending on the needs of each dog. Jensen always starts with a lavender oil paw rub to sooth the nerves followed by Canine Trigger Point Myotherapy (she is certified) which is a type of massage that relieves pain and lengthens muscles and provides information about the dog’s health and grooming needs.
Bathing takes place in a soft-surface tub Jensen designed. A click collar for safety is attached to a lead-line to allow the dog to move and to not cause stress. A “rainwater” showerhead ionizes rinse water to float soaps to the surface instead of a spray that activates instincts to flee. Only natural soaps are used and special attention — a soft washcloth is used — is given to keeping soap and moving water out of the dog’s eyes.
At the grooming table, Jensen massages in a “recipe” of essential oils and herbal treatments she prepares based on the dog’s needs. By this time, she says, the dogs are putty in her hands and willing to allow her to trim and comb and brush and style as needed. Remarkably, the dogs “allow” her to use the nearly-silent dryer and even Dremel (she has a silent one) their nails (she calls this a “Pawdicure”.)
She finishes by gifting each dog with an ornament such as a necktie or hair bow she selects that fits the personality of the dog she now knows very, very well.
Most dogs receive two hours of time to complete the gentle process. The owner’s jaw-dropping responses (see before and after photos on the spa’s Facebook page) and rebooked appointments (average cost of $50) tell her it is time well spent.
“Dogs have so much to teach us about how to be,” Jensen said. “I have been learning to understand them my entire life. Everything I know — and everything I know now to teach to others about life and about how to treat each other — a dog has taught me."
The words “dog spa” conjure up an image sure to cause an eye roll.
Dog spa? Really? Oh, brother!
But what Trudi Jensen is bringing to dogs in Danville is something more than a silly indulgence for the pampered pets of the posh set.
A lot more.
“I am concerned as much about the mental aspect of the dog as the physical. There is always a point in the treatments — always — when the dog will look me in the eye as if to say ‘You’re really not going to hurt me?’ and it breaks my heart. I’ve never had a client come to pick up their (happy, relaxed and coiffed) dog who I didn’t get to see their jaw drop by how their dog looked — and not just physically,” she said.
Jensen’s first client at Lather With Love Dog Groom and Spa at 266 Jane Trail in Danville was May 15, but it was hardly her first client ever.
“I’ve been connecting with dogs since I was very young,” she said. “My first dog was constantly getting brushed and styled. I’ve been told my first language was ‘dog.’ That I spoke it fluently at 2 years old.”
Jensen’s new business brings her full-circle, she believes, to her life’s purpose. It has been an impressive journey.
Originally from New Orleans, she has had successful careers on an often-international scale from Dallas to the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. She has worked in construction, broadcasting, promotions and even owned a jazz and music series staged at the world-renowned Searles Castle in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Through it all, one of her abiding passions over a lifetime has been her devotion to dogs.
Jensen said she has always been involved with training and showing dogs — particularly Saluki and Borzoi breeds. The national Saluki breed competition brought her to Lexington for several years where she became a member of that contest’s board. The association with the horse park led to a position there which then led to a position training stallions in Perryville.
Opening Lather With Love allowed her to turn her passion into a profession.
Her workspace resembles a high-end beauty salon with soothing shades of purple, candles and strains of Schubert bringing it all into harmony. There are no harsh lights, no choke chains, no high-pressure hoses, metal combs or loud dryers. Jensen sees one dog at a time and gives each her full attention for as long as an appointment requires.
Everything Jensen does is designed for holistic health and as a relaxing, nurturing experience. The majority of dogs she has groomed thus far have been traumatized in the past by groomers who cleaned the dog without regard to the fear and discomfort of an assembly-line process. Even dogs turned away by other groomers for biting eventually give her not only cooperation but something like permission.
The treatments are individually designed depending on the needs of each dog. Jensen always starts with a lavender oil paw rub to sooth the nerves followed by Canine Trigger Point Myotherapy (she is certified) which is a type of massage that relieves pain and lengthens muscles and provides information about the dog’s health and grooming needs.
Bathing takes place in a soft-surface tub Jensen designed. A click collar for safety is attached to a lead-line to allow the dog to move and to not cause stress. A “rainwater” showerhead ionizes rinse water to float soaps to the surface instead of a spray that activates instincts to flee. Only natural soaps are used and special attention — a soft washcloth is used — is given to keeping soap and moving water out of the dog’s eyes.
At the grooming table, Jensen massages in a “recipe” of essential oils and herbal treatments she prepares based on the dog’s needs. By this time, she says, the dogs are putty in her hands and willing to allow her to trim and comb and brush and style as needed. Remarkably, the dogs “allow” her to use the nearly-silent dryer and even Dremel (she has a silent one) their nails (she calls this a “Pawdicure”.)
She finishes by gifting each dog with an ornament such as a necktie or hair bow she selects that fits the personality of the dog she now knows very, very well.
Most dogs receive two hours of time to complete the gentle process. The owner’s jaw-dropping responses (see before and after photos on the spa’s Facebook page) and rebooked appointments (average cost of $50) tell her it is time well spent.
“Dogs have so much to teach us about how to be,” Jensen said. “I have been learning to understand them my entire life. Everything I know — and everything I know now to teach to others about life and about how to treat each other — a dog has taught me."
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