5 minute read
SHOW DOGS NEW ZEALAND
Puppy loving
Wagging tails are all part of the service for Show Dogs New Zealand, whose staff are as chipper as their customers.
Advertisement
WORDS MONIQUE BALVERT-O’CONNOR / PHOTOS SALINA GALVAN
Bad days are far from the norm at Kim Wilkinson’s workplace. Walk in, see the clientele, and you can’t help but smile, she says.
Kim’s the business manager at Show Dogs New Zealand, where the clients are mainly man’s best friend. Headed by her daughter Aimee Foster and salon manager Flávio Fernandes, it’s a company that’s enjoyed a few changes of late, the most significant being an expansion of its Mount-based operation to include premises in Tauranga.
Since early March, Show Dogs has been operating from the Paws and Play building in Maleme Street, Greerton as well as Tawa Street, Mt Maunganui. Kim says taking their services to that part of town made sense, as many of their clients live in Greerton and Tauriko.
50 | unomagazine.co.nz In the past, they also had a doggy daycare, but today they focus solely on grooming, with both locations providing dog, cat and rabbit services with multiaward-winning master groomers. Other changes include the introduction of a top-notch blade-and-scissors-sharpening service by specialist sharpener Michel Ikeda from kattoshop.com.br, which services not only dog groomers, but the equine industry, hairdressers and chefs.
You’d be hard pressed to find a better groomer in New Zealand than Flávio. The master groomer has 33 years of experience and is a pioneer in the industry. He frequently judges grooming competitions globally and is known as ‘the maestro’ in Brazil, where he groomed late racing driver Ayrton Senna’s dogs. As well as being an outstanding all-rounder, Flávio’s speciality is terriers – he can groom a Westie like no other. He’s also New Zealand’s representative for a line
ABOVE, FROM LEFT Flávio, Carol, Aimee, baby Theo, Jen Kappel and Kim, with pooches (also from left) Benji, Ed, Cody, Poppy, Boy and Raffy. of fantastic products from Brazil called Dog & Co, an environmentally and petfriendly range you can buy directly from the salons or through mail order. Started by Tatiana Manion 13 years ago, Show Dogs’ skilled staff has seen it grow from humble beginnings in a laundry to a true success. Aimee took over ownership in August 2016 and says she’s delighted that her working life revolves around her passion. As well as being an advanced professional groomer, she is, of course, a dog owner herself; she and Kim have five between them. YO U ’ D B E H A R D P R E S S E D T O F I N D A B E T T E R G R O O M E R IN NEW ZEALAND. Roll call!
Aimee is also director of the NZ Dog Grooming School, under the tutelage of Flávio, which is run from the Tawa Street premises. The school runs regular small classes and training sessions for private students wanting to learn new techniques or upskill in a specific breed.
Also in the grooming team is Carol Redondo, another award-winning master groomer. Carol started as a dog groomer in 1998 and has competed internationally with frequent success, such as winning best in show with a bichon frise. She brings a wealth of knowledge, professionalism and experience to the team, is a great trainer and mentor, and the resident cat-grooming expert.
Many owners who take their dogs on the beach like to keep the coat short, so they come in more frequently.” Dogs and cats destined for the show ring are also groomed on a more regular basis.
The business offers competitive pricing, with full grooms from $65 and tidy-ups from $45; there’s also a VIPet club with benefits for regular customers. Talk grooming and Kim mentions double baths, premium shampoo to suit specific coats, clipper and scissor trims, hand stripping, ear cleans, nail trims, dental hygiene, cologne, and little bows, bandanas and scarves. Colouring is also an option, as is a hair-treatment mask. It’s a little like a human salon.
Importantly, Show Dogs New Zealand’s environments are completely cagefree. Dogs can interact with each other and staff, and there are separate areas for the groomed dogs to relax in. Kim and Aimee are proud of such special touches and say their customers are welcome to watch, ask questions – and observe the wagging tails at this very happy workplace.
Appearance Medicine Kate Schuler • Dermal fillers • Botox • IPL for facial veins & pigmentation • IPL hair removal • Microsclerotherapy • Skin needling • Medical grade skincare • Non surgical removal of moles & skin tags Place your trust in the experienced hands of Fraser Clinic Appearance Medicine Kate Schuler • Dermal fillers • Botox • IPL for facial veins & pigmentation • IPL hair removal • Microsclerotherapy • Skin needling • Medical grade skincare • Non surgical removal of moles & skin tags Appearance Medicine Kate Schuler • Dermal fillers • Botox • IPL for facial veins & pigmentation • IPL hair removal • Microsclerotherapy • Skin needling • Medical grade skincare • Non surgical removal of moles & skin tags
Non Surgical Vein Treatments Dr Geoff Olsen • Endovenous laser varicose vein treatment • Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy for varicose veins • Microsclerotherapy for spider veins • Intense pulsed light for facial veins Non Surgical Vein Treatments Dr Geoff Olsen • Endovenous laser varicose vein treatment • Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy for varicose veins • Microsclerotherapy for spider veins • Intense pulsed light for facial veins Non Surgical Vein Treatments Dr Geoff Olsen • Endovenous laser varicose vein treatment • Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy for varicose veins • Microsclerotherapy for spider veins • Intense pulsed light for facial veins KATE SCHULER NZRN Kate has provided a wide range of medical aesthetic treatments for 18 years. A registered nurse, she has trained extensively with national and international experts.
DR GEOFF OLSEN FRNZCGP FACP, Australasian College of Phlebology. KATE SCHULER NZRN. FRASER CLINIC is an Affiliated Provider to Southern Cross Health Society for clinical treatment of varicose veins, for both ELT (Endovenous Laser) and UGS (Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy). BOTOX ® - Botulinum Toxin Type A is a prescription medicine. DR GEOFF OLSEN FRNZCGP FACP, Australasian College of Phlebology. KATE SCHULER NZRN. FRASER CLINIC is an Affiliated Provider to Southern Cross Health Society for clinical treatment of varicose veins, for both ELT (Endovenous Laser) and UGS (Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy). BOTOX ® - Botulinum Toxin Type A is a prescription medicine.
THRIVE - THE WAY WE -
SUPER SAV VY S E N I O R S p64
TRANQUILLO T r e a t yourself at p63
