Poppy Ventura's Grooming Journey

Lisa Ventura MBE FCIIS, a renowned cyber security and neurodiversity advocate, is the devoted owner of Poppy, a German Shepherd/Husky cross. Poppy holds a special place in Lisa's life, often featured in her social media posts and blogs.

Here, Lisa talks about Poppy's grooming needs, the challenges of finding the right groomer, and how Phillippa Clarke of Paws2Paws has transformed Poppy's grooming experience with her gentle, professional approach.

Background and Challenges

Poppy came into my life in July 2015 when my husband Russell and I rescued her from Danemere Animal Rescue. As a German Shepherd/Husky cross, Poppy has a thick double coat that requires regular maintenance, especially during the seasonal shedding periods. For anyone who doesn't know about German Shepherd/Husky crosses, they have an incredibly dense undercoat that sheds profusely, especially in spring and autumn.

Finding a groomer that we could trust with Poppy was not an easy process. One groomer we had was far too rough with her and shouted at her when she wouldn’t do what she was told which was captured on video, which we were far from happy about. In addition, she has health challenges so finding a groomer who understands this has also been challenging.

I'm very open in my social media posts and blogs about the health challenges that Poppy has faced, including her burst disc in 2020 and her diagnosis of endocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in 2022.We first encountered Phillipa when she was a groomer at The Wash Tub in Lower Wick, but when it closed down we tried Alexia of Once Upon A Dog who had a mobile grooming unit and would come to our house with everything in her van.

But when Alexia announced, she was moving to Cumbria, it meant we had to find another groomer but lo and behold I found that Phillipa had set up at Worcester Animal Rescue Centre under the name of Paws2Paws, following the closure of The Wash Tub. We knew that Phillipa would treat Poppy as an individual dog with unique needs, not just another dog on the appointment schedule, so I had no hesitation in booking an appointment with her.

Intervention by Phillippa Clarke of Paws2Paws

Phillippa Clarke of Paws2Paws is a professional dog groomer who works from her dedicated grooming studio. Phillippa specialises in working with nervous dogs, rescue dogs, and those with special needs or health challenges. When we arrived for Poppy's grooming session at Worcestershire Animal Rescue Centre, Phillippa's calm, gentle approach immediately put Poppy at ease.

She didn't rush Poppy and let her explore the grooming space at her own pace, and she spent time just building trust before even picking up a brush.

Phillippa's recommended grooming plan for Poppy included:

• Regular Deshedding Treatments: Targeted sessions to remove Poppy's thick undercoat during seasonal shedding periods, reducing matting and keeping her comfortable.
  

• Gentle Bathing and Conditioning: Using high-quality, hypoallergenic products suitable for Poppy's sensitive skin, ensuring a thorough but gentle clean.
  

• Careful Nail Trimming: Taking extra care around Poppy's paws, which she's particularly sensitive about.
  

• Ear Cleaning and Checks: Gentle ear cleaning to prevent infections.
  

• Breed-Specific Coat Care: Understanding the unique needs of the German Shepherd/Husky cross breed and using appropriate tools and techniques.
  

What really set Phillippa apart was her willingness to work around Poppy's feeding and medicine schedule. She understood that Poppy needed to be groomed at times that fitted in with her food and medicine regime for her EPI.

Outcomes and Observations

Under Phillippa's attentive care, Poppy's grooming sessions transformed into something we looked forward to, and the quality of Poppy's coat improved dramatically. Her undercoat was properly maintained, and her fur became noticeably softer and shinier. But more importantly, Poppy's comfort and happiness during grooming improved beyond measure.

Phillippa's patient, gentle approach meant that Poppy began to trust the grooming process again, especially after her bad experience when she was shouted at. Knowing that Poppy, the most precious thing in the world to me, Poppy was in safe, caring hands gave me enormous peace of mind. I no longer had to worry about her being traumatised with each grooming session, and I could actually enjoy seeing her come out looking and feeling her best.

Phillippa's professional expertise really highlighted the importance of finding the right groomer for your pet. Every dog is different, with unique challenges and needs, and Phillippa worked with us to come up with the perfect grooming routine for Poppy.

I don't feel it is over the top to say that Phillippa has given Poppy back her confidence around grooming. She's no longer nervous of it because of being shouted at during grooming and she no longer seems to associate grooming with stress. Poppy actually seems to enjoy being pampered now.

Through having regular professional grooming with Phillippa, Poppy looks healthier, feels more comfortable, and carries herself with more confidence. Her coat is in the best condition it's ever been, and she genuinely seems happier in herself.

The Benefits of Poppy Having Professional Grooming with Paws2Paws

Through Poppy's sessions with Phillippa, I noticed several amazing benefits:

• Improved Coat Health and Condition: The regular deshedding treatments and proper coat care dramatically improved the condition of Poppy's fur. Her coat is shinier, softer, and completely free of matts. The excessive shedding around the house has also reduced significantly.
  

• Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Phillippa's gentle, patient approach helped Poppy overcome her grooming anxiety after being shouted at previously by a groomer. She's now relaxed during her sessions, which has been wonderful to see. The calm environment and Phillippa's understanding of Poppy's needs made all the difference.
  

• Better Skin Health: Regular bathing with high-quality products has improved Poppy's skin health. She's no longer scratching as much, and the hypoallergenic shampoos have prevented any skin irritation.
  

• Early Detection of Health Issues: Phillippa's thorough approach means she checks Poppy all over during grooming to spot any lumps, bumps, and skin issues early, which meant I could get them checked by our vet promptly. This preventative aspect of professional grooming is invaluable.
  

• Enhanced Bonding and Trust: Watching Poppy relax and trust Phillippa has been beautiful. It's also strengthened my trust in Phillippa's expertise, knowing that she genuinely cares about Poppy's wellbeing, not just about getting the job done quickly.
  

• Professional Advice and Support: Phillippa has given us so much helpful advice about home grooming maintenance, the best brushes to use, and how to keep Poppy's coat healthy between professional sessions. This education has been incredibly valuable.
  

• Improved Quality of Life: A well-groomed coat means Poppy is more comfortable, especially in warmer weather when her thick coat can cause overheating. She moves more freely, seems happier, and is clearly more comfortable in her own skin.

Seeing how much happier and more comfortable Poppy is after each grooming session with Phillippa has been such a relief and a joy for me. I couldn't be happier about the transformation in both Poppy's coat and her confidence.

Phillipa has now moved her salon from Worcester Animal Rescue Centre to Unit 6, 73 Spring Lane in Malvern and she also sells holistic products for dogs and keepsake items for when the time comes that they make the journey to the Rainbow Bridge, something I don’t want to think about, but that I know is inevitable with Poppy being 12 on 29 November this year.

The Importance of Finding the Right Groomer

Poppy's experience with Phillippa highlights the crucial importance of finding a groomer who truly understands your dog's individual needs. Professional grooming is about so much more than just making your dog look pretty; it's about their physical comfort, their emotional wellbeing, and their overall health.

For dogs with health challenges like Poppy, finding a groomer who can adapt their approach is essential. Phillippa's understanding of Poppy's health ailments and especially her back area following the burst disc she had meant she could adjust how she positioned and handled her during grooming, ensuring Poppy was never in discomfort.

For rescue dogs or those with anxiety, finding a patient, gentle groomer can be the difference between grooming being a traumatic experience or a positive one. Phillippa's willingness to take things slowly and build trust meant Poppy could overcome her fears.

Think of professional grooming as essential maintenance for your pet's health and wellbeing. Regular grooming isn't a luxury; it's a necessity that prevents health issues, improves comfort, and can even extend your dog's quality of life. A good groomer, like Phillippa, becomes an important part of your pet's healthcare team alongside your vet and any other specialists.

I now recommend Phillippa to all my local dog parent friends, especially those with nervous dogs, rescue dogs, or dogs with special needs. I share photos from Poppy's grooming sessions on my social media, always expressing my deep appreciation for the care Phillippa provides. It is beyond priceless to us.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on Poppy's grooming journey, I am truly grateful for the incredible care and dedication Phillippa Clarke at Paws2Paws has shown us. Witnessing Poppy's transformation from a dog who was nervous of being groomed who now walks happily into Phillippa's salon has been nothing short of amazing. It has reinforced for me the power of patience, understanding, and genuine care in all aspects of pet care.

Beyond the physical improvements to Poppy's coat, this journey has given both Poppy and me so much peace of mind. Knowing that Poppy is in safe, caring hands with Phillippa means we can actually leave Poppy with her to enjoy the grooming process rather than dreading it. Phillippa's professionalism, expertise, and genuine love for what she does shines through in every session.

For anyone struggling to find the right groomer for their dog, especially if your dog has anxiety, health challenges, or special needs, I cannot recommend taking the time to find someone like Phillippa highly enough. The difference it makes to your dog's wellbeing and your own peace of mind is immeasurable.

Poppy's journey has been a reminder that with the right care, understanding, and expertise, even dogs who have been traumatised like Poppy was when she was shouted at by a groomer previously can learn to trust again. Thank you, Phillippa, for everything you've done and continue to do for Poppy. You've not only transformed her coat, but you’ve also transformed her confidence and quality of life. Lisa Ventura MBE FCIIS