Pet-down for pooches

Ahhhhh, the bliss.

 

As the masseuse worked her magical hands on her tense muscles, she let out a soft whimper.

This is the life, Diamond thought. A dog's life.

Yes, Diamond, a 10-year-old Japanese spitz, is having a massage.

And oh yes, there's a masseuse here who works on pets.

Ms Laves Goh, masseuse and owner of SCENTsational, started the business in 2012 because she noticed many Singaporeans pamper their pets and would spend any amount to make them happy and comfortable.

"So why not offer a massage service for both owners and their cats and dogs?" she says.

Diamond's owner, life planner Sylvia Tan, 46,says: "Since Diamond enjoys belly rubs and I like massages, I thought why not. I like the fact that it is done here at my home, making it conducive for Diamond."

Ms Goh, 32, who has over 10 years of experience in human massage therapy, picked up pet acupressure at the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage in 2012.

"After I got my certification, I broached the idea with my clients. They stared incredulously at me but I told them if humans feel relaxed and rejuvenated after a rub-down, why not the pets," she says, adding that may were willing to give it a go.

It helped her dog, says business acceleration manager Grace Sin, 44.

When she first adopted her chihuahua Creamer, it was a nervous and highly strung dog.

"Creamer was a former breeding dog. She was yappy and not socialising the same way as other pet dogs. Even Rocky, my silky terrier, was not too friendly towards her," says Ms Sin.

So she took Creamer to Ms Goh.

DE-STRESS

"Laves said she does massages for both owners and their pets at the same time. She said it helps the humans to de-stress and the pets learn to be calm too," Ms Sin says.

Ms Goh takes her services to the client's home. "This way, the pets are in a familiar environment and will not be too stressed," she says.

"Usually I will massage the owners first before massaging the pet."

She says the sessions help owner and pet bond, increases circulation and flexibility in older animals, calms excitable pets and helps them to rehabilitate after surgeries.

A quick check online suggests her business may be the only kind here.

So are there pets she won't massage?

A restless snake? A hyperactive hamster? Or a shy turtle reluctant to come out of its shell?

"I have not tried snake but I would massage anything - birds, fishes, even geckos," says Ms Goh, who has massaged rabbits, besides cats and dogs.

Since she started this branch of massage for pet owners, SCENTsational has about 20 regular clients and their pets, which are mainly dogs and cats. She charges $90 for two hours of massage for owner and pet.

Ms Goh says she also does basic manicures and pedicures for her clients and works with pet groomers, if a similar service is required for the pet.

I have not tried snake but I would massage anything - birds, fishes, even geckos.

- Ms Laves Goh