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This feature article takes a look at daycare and accommodation options for animal companions at NADC as well as unique products retailed.

Download the article here.

This feature article gives a glimpse into special treatment services like "Reiki" and "Esogetic Colourpuncture" as well as NADC's unique range of spa therapy sessions and other therapeutic services.

Download the article here.

The New Paper 17 February 2009 "Mud Spa for Fido?"

This feature article highlighted the rising trend of owners sending their pets for alternative treatments. It also talked about NADC's range of spa therapy sessions and other therapeutic services.

It's your dog's birthday and you would like to give him a treat. Instead of the usual doggy snack, how about putting him in a doggy jacuzzi where he can get an essential oils perfume treatment at $40, which will leave him smelling like roses for a week?

Sounds outlandish?

Not for some pet owners here, who are indulging their loyal companions with dead sea mud baths and such aromatherapy sessions that range from $30 to $80.

One place offering pets such lavish treatment is the Noo Age Dog Company (NADC), where owners get to choose from a range of 27 types of essential oils, including green tea and orange blossom scents.

'Some people want to give a special scent to their dogs for their birthday, while others come for health issues such as loss of hair and body odour,' said Mr Kew Nyan Soon, a staff member.

The essential oils can also be used in spas and massage therapy sessions.

Mr Marcus Khoo, who set up NADC, said the popularity of such treatments grew noticeably after 2005 following magazine and TV features on dog spas and therapeutic healing methods for pets.

Young professionals

Young adult professionals make up the bulk of his clientele.

'With more well-travelled Singaporeans, there are more willing parties to seek out holistic options for their animal companions,' said Mr Khoo, who is certified by the American Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. He is also a member of the International Association of Animal Massage Therapists and International Centre for Reiki (Michigan).

The centre is also the only one here offering Reiki for pets, a Japanese treatment which harnesses 'universal life force energy' to help animals.

It involves practitioners using their hands to lightly massage the pets, which often enter a state of deep relaxation or sleep.

'Reiki treatments are also known to improve internal energy flow. They also heal emotional and behavioural 'injuries',' said Mr Khoo.

When the New Paper visited NADC, Mr Kew was busy holding a dog in a tub of bubbling scented water in preparation for his dead sea mud spa treatment.

Minutes later, a layer of the mud was spread over its back.

Shihu is among more dogs going for mud spa treatments to help their skin problems.

'More dogs now are getting skin problems than before, like flaky, dry skin,' said Ms Catherine Khoo, who runs the shop.

A pet owner who wanted to be known only as Madam Wong said she had spent four years seeking treatment for her 13-year-old shih tzu's skin problem.

After it underwent herbal and spa treatments and a change of diet, she said there was an improvement in its energy level and skin problem.

Not conventional

However, a veterinarian cautioned that while spa treatments can be therapeutic and improve skin conditions, they may not be as effective for animals with fur as there would be less contact with the skin.

'It is definitely not a conventional therapy for skin diseases,' said Dr Simon Quek of Mount Pleasant Animal Medical Centre.

Ms Niki Lim, a pet nurse at Mount Pleasant, agreed that aromatherapy treatment was unlikely to work on dogs.

'There is insufficient evidence to prove that it can benefit pets the same way it benefits humans. Humans are psychologically aware of aromatherapy but pets are not,' she said.

She, however, feels that massages do work for dogs.

'I have seen dogs feeling shiok when they are massaged as specific points are reached,' she said.

Pearly Tan, newsroom intern