By Carolyn Keister Baker —Daily Staff Writer

WOODSTOCK — Imagine getting into a soothing bath of vanilla, white tea and milk thistle, and being treated to a refreshing facial of vanilla and blueberry.

Then, picture enjoying a nail treatment of warm vanilla and cocoa, aromatherapy with sweet-smelling colognes and a gentle conditioner of white ginger designed to repair damaged hair.

Now imagine providing these ultimate indulgences for your dog.

Susan Jackson, of Woodstock, did.

When Jackson took her 9-year-old toy poodle, Toby, to Grandy Grooming in Woodstock and noticed the new spa packages advertised on the counter, she decided to treat her beloved poodle to more pampering than he usually gets.

"I think he deserves a little extra treat," Jackson says she thought to herself. "I think it would be good for him."

Eight weeks had passed since Toby's last visit, a little longer than Jackson usually waits. So Jackson decided to give Toby the royal doggy treatment — the ultimate spa package consisting of a bath, facial scrub, nail and paw treatment, aromatherapy and vitamin conditioner.

For about six months, Janet Buddington, a certified master groomer who leases space at Grandy Grooming, has offered three levels of spa packages for her clients' dogs plus individual spa treatments, such as tooth brushing, cherry remoisturizer treatments and nail polishing.

A neon sign that lights up "Pet Spa" inside the grooming parlor announces this new service.

"People really enjoy [having these services available]," Buddington says. "People think it's funny that pets can be pampered like this."

The spa packages range in price from $7 to $20, which does not include grooming. The standard grooming service on average costs between $45 an $60. Individual spa treatments are $7 each, $10 for large dogs.

Most customers go for the ultimate spa package, thinking "if I'm going to do it, I might as well do it all the way," Buddington says.

A recent trip to the Groom Expo in Hershey, Pa., the largest dog groomers show on the East Coast, inspired Buddington to offer her customers a pet spa because people, in general, are spending money and wanting to indulge their pets, she says.

Do the dogs enjoy the pampering?

"I think they do," Buddington says. "I really feel they do."

But the pet spa is for clients as well as for their pets, Buddington adds.

"[My clients] really take good care of [their pets]," she says.

For clients who constantly fight with dog hair in the house, the cherry remoisturizer treatment helps soothe a dry coat and improves shedding, Buddington explains. The treatment reduces shedding by about 80 percent and is the spa's best seller, she says.

Once clients try the cherry remoisturizer on their pets, they ask for it again, says Mary Beth Anderson, who owns Grandy Grooming.

"I use it on my own pet," Buddington says.

The tea tree hot oil special helps dry skin and flaking, Buddington adds.

The aromatherapy not only makes the pet smell nice but helps to protect the dog from UV rays, Buddington says. Dogs can and do get sunburned, she explains.

The happy breath toothbrush, $7 for all dogs, makes the dogs' breath smell better and customers can take home their dog's toothbrush if they wish, Buddington says.

The comfort spa package, which includes a comfort bath, aromatherapy and nourishing vitamin conditioner, uses lavender scents to calm the nervous dog, Buddington adds.

"My favorite is the facial," Buddington says, noting the marvelous aroma. "I think it makes the [dog's] face so much cleaner, and it makes my hands smell good."

The facial also helps to remove tear stains.

"We feel all the pets should get a spa package," Buddington stresses. So even with the standard grooming, pets are treated to a HydroSurge bath, treats to take home, and bows in their hair or bandanas around their necks.

While they are waiting in the kennels, dogs lie on luxury sheep skin mats, Buddington adds.

When Jackson returned to pick up Toby from his day at the spa, his coat was "awesomely" fluffy, Jackson says. "His ears were sticking out so far."

"He was so cute," Jackson says. "I am very fond of my little dog. He deserved to have it done. He probably didn't notice any difference but he smelled wonderful," she says.

Grandy Grooming is at 1119 Hisey Ave. in Woodstock, located next to Seven Bends Veterinary Hospital. For more information, call 459-8538.

* Contact Carolyn Baker at cbaker@nvdaily.com.