Good grooming should be informed, ethical, and rooted in respect for canine dignity and health. Good grooming is skin and coat care— the kind that leaves dogs clean, healthy, and irresistible looking.

But what about dogs who are anxious about grooming?

I have created and I am developing a new approach that I think of as Adaptive Grooming.

Adaptive grooming is a compassionate, behavior-informed approach to dog grooming that prioritizes the dog's emotional well-being during the groom, ensuring the dog is calm, comfortable and cooperative. Instead of forcing dogs to submit to procedures they fear, adaptive grooming makes the necessary accommodations—adjusting techniques, pacing, environment, and expectations—to create a calm, safe experience. Good grooming should not come at the cost of your dog’s dignity or safety. We can set reachable goals for your dog and work toward them incrementally until we get there.

My goal is that your dog’s time with me will be a healthy, positive experience that they are happy to come back to, tail wagging.

I think of my dog spa as a working studio, a testing ground, and a sanctuary where we’re reimagining what dog grooming can be.