When it comes to the grooming of your dog, Dawn Wung and Michelle Massingill don’t cut any corners ? just the hair and nails.
The two women are the owners of the new Tender Touch Pet Spa (973 S. Lapeer), located in the Oxford Towncenter, next door to Pet Supplies Plus, and are excited to offer their services to pet owners in Oxford, Lake Orion and Metamora.
The 1,295 square foot spa is equipped with two work stations, where Wung and Massingill work their magic, two fenced-in play areas, a drying space and a state-of-the-art washroom that gives each dog a ‘massage-type? power washer bath.
There’s also an aromatherapy and massage therapy room in the works.
‘People laugh when we say that, but it’s becoming more popular for a lot of arthritic dogs,? said Massingill, a resident of Metamora.
Wung and Massingill have 38 years combined of working with animals. On top of running Tender Touch Pet Spa, both women work part-time at veterinary hospitals in Birmingham and Warren.
The two met when they started grooming dogs and have been friends ever since.
Wung, who is an Almont resident, also owns another grooming business called K-9 Clips and Pet Parlor in Almont and didn’t hesitate at all in asking Massingill about opening the shop in Oxford.
Tender Touch Pet Spa offers full grooming services, which includes a bath, brush, nails, cleaning of anal glands, ears and a trim. Depending on the size of the dog, owners can expect to spend anywhere from $40 to $100.
Massingill said Tender Touch uses a full range of organic and environmentally friendly pet shampoos and conditioners. They also make it a priority to check your pooch’s skin for any possible tumors.
‘I’ve pointed that out many times,? she said. ‘Any lump or bump, if you groom on a regular basis, we can find.?
For those who are skeptical about spending money to have their dog groomed, Massingill said there are many reasons why they should leave the washing routine to the professionals.
‘My thing is you’ll have no water all over your house. You won’t have stinky, wet dogs for hours,? she said. ‘They also get to play here if they want to. It gets them out socializing, which is good for them.?
Wung said once Tender Touch Pet Spa gets in the swing of things, they hope to be very active in the community.
‘We hope to (be) involved in the community of Oxford, and hopefully bring people into this community to explore and expand on the stores that are here,? she said.
Tender Touch Pet Spa’s tentative hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
For an appointment, call (248) 628-2821.