Pamper Your Edina Pets

Edina has everything to keep you healthy and happy, from chiropractic care to natural foods stores and spa services, even portraiture services for pets. Yes, pets. A wide range of city businesses focus on services typically reserved for humans that are now available for everybody’s favorite huggable ball of fur. Rebecca Amstutz is the owner of Perpetual Motion, an animal chiropractic service in Edina. Within the confines of her office, clients can also regularly meet with a visiting massage professional from Animal Intuition, who specializes in K-9 and equine massage, along with other relaxation techniques. “It’s just amazing, their response to chiropractic care; you can see it very visually very quickly,” Amstutz says. “They literally turn to mush. The curvature in their back, you see that immediately straighten out.” Amstutz cares for animals in the same way a chiropractor would care for humans. She works with animals who are injured and animals with back pain, neck pain and arthritis. Often, she says, owners will notice a change in behavior or appetite or notice a sensitive spot on their pet and bring them in. Amstutz also provides wellness care for owners who simply want to keep their pets in top shape—especially important, she says, for show dogs and those who do agility events.   Hydration situation For dogs who are on the go and without the regular comforts of home, there’s Troff LLC of Edina. Owner Beth Hanson has created a K-9 hydration and thermoregulation solution. “A panting dog is a thirsty dog,” she explains.Hanson spent three years developing, and one year testing, her no-spill Troff pouches which she sells online in a three-pack for $19.99. The containers are BPA-free and feature a valve that prevent backflow, preventing the water inside the pouch from becoming contaminated. She encourages her customers to keep one in a purse or in the car, one in the fridge and one in the freezer. “I developed the product because germ transmission at the dog parks is so great, which includes kennel cough and oral herpes,” she says. The product is completely reusable, washable and provides each dog with a fresh supply of drinking water. Hanson has customers in Australia, Russia, Canada and Switzerland. She was a sponsor of the New York Pet Fashion Show, which preceded the Westminster Kennel Club dog show; she donated 900 pouches to the event in order to raise money for Animal Haven in New York City.   Zoom Groom For the fashionable pet, Edina features an array of grooming services, including baths and ear cleaning to nail trimming. Zoom Groom takes those services a step further and offers nail painting for dogs—particularly at Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day, but also painting appropriate for all the holidays. Zoom Groom can also provide bows.  Anna Olson and her mom run the business and tout the fact they’re a cage-free facility. “Every animal that comes in is worked on by my mom and me; they’re never in cages,” Olson says. “To us, it’s less stressful for the animals.” Zoom Groom also offers a de-shedding service, which includes applying a special shampoo to dogs with a heavy coat and then using a tool to remove excess hair.   Perfect portraits Once the pets are relaxed, groomed and hydrated, their owners can call Stray Dog Arts, where artist and owner Jessie Marianiello specializes in capturing the spirit of each animal she encounters. Though Marianiello is based in Minneapolis, more than half of her clients are Edina residents. She provides a consultation time for clients and then visits their home or a favorite place to capture images of pets. Marianiello uses those images as the basis for her oil paintings, the sizes of which are determined by the dog and the clients’ budget. “The strength of my work comes through the eyes, and the soul is in an animal’s eyes,” Marianiello says. “Animals do have as much personality as a person and I try to capture that in the painting.” Marianiello’s success in Edina began with the Dogs of Edina series she did in 2010. She was commissioned to create dozens of dog portraits and developed a number of events to coincide with the unveiling of the series. Though she is taking on new clients, Marianiello is typically booked out almost two years. She does work with clients right away for the consultation and the creation of the initial images that will create the base for the painting. In the past, Marianiello has worked with Bone Adventure to provide an art contest for kids. Bone Adventure has been located on France Avenue South for more than 20 years. The store sells cat and dog supplies, and the focus is definitely on all-natural products. From food and treats to coats, collars, toys and leashes, the store offers locally made products, many of which are constructed of hemp and other natural fibers. Bone Adventure also offers full-service pet grooming, teeth brushing and uses only all-natural shampoos and conditioners. As always, pets are welcome in the store.  Training and day care For those owners who just can’t bear to leave their pets at home alone—or those who can’t because their home will be destroyed—there’s a two-tier solution at Augusta Dog Training and Doggie Daycare. The business offers training and grooming services.  The company also offers in-home training services. Owners can participate regularly or receive regular updates and eventually, work with the trainer to take over control of the dog. “It’s totally individualized,” manager Sarah Despiegelaere explains. Private lessons are available for puppies as well as dogs with a specific issue to work on. Lessons will occasionally include a trip to the park or a pet store for socialization. Augusta also offers half- and full-day day care services. Animals are screened and slowly integrated into the pack. Once the animals have passed the screening, their owners can drop them off, no appointment necessary. In the morning, as animals arrive, everyone goes outside every 10 to 15 minutes; in the afternoons they’re out every half- hour or so. According to Despiegelaere, the playroom features Kong dog toys, nap mats and doggie dens, including a little house and picnic tables.  The last stage Finally, when a dog is in its last stage of life, Edina has Pet Cremation Services of Minnesota, which offers private pet cremation. Owners can bring in their pet or have the animal transported from a veterinary clinic. “It definitely allows the pet owner to have a little bit of closure with their pet,” says manager Michael Waterston. “It gives them the freedom and flexibility to do with the cremains what they like.” The company offers urns on-site, made of everything from wood and metal to a cultured marble material. Many of the urns can be personalized, Waterston says.