by Meggie Sramek

'Dog Spa' opens in Tysons Corner

Former telecom exec providing daycare

Spas aren't just for people anymore. Happy Tails Dog Spa - the largest facility of its kind on the East Coast - recently celebrated its grand opening in Tysons Corner, offering dogs and their owners dog daycare, spa treatment, cage-free boarding and training, among other services.

So how was this innovative idea born?

According to founder Amy Nichols, a resident of Reston and a former telecom sales executive, the plans have been in the making for years.

"I wanted to create something new and different," Nichols said. "I have the entrepreneurial experience but didn't want to do anything with technology."

For Nichols, a longtime animal lover and pet owner, daycare serves as a haven for dogs that would normally be bored and lonely - or that would get into trouble - while their owners are away at work.

"Dog daycare provides dogs with a full day of supervised fun and socialization, so that they can relax with their owners at the end of the day," Nichols said.

To ensure a safe and fun environment, dogs must complete an interview process before enrolling in daycare.

"We're being very careful with everyone we bring in," Nichols said.

Happy Tails turns away dogs that are too aggressive or too submissive around other dogs.

After passing the entrance interview, the dogs are separated into playgroups based on their size and temperament.

In "puppy kindergarten," for example, dogs under four months old receive extra attention, simple obedience training and extra "potty breaks" to aid in housebreaking.

In addition to the playrooms, the 9,000-square-foot facility also boasts a nap room with a TV and stereo, a lounge area for boarders, and a soon-to-be-fenced-in outdoors area where the dogs can enjoy fresh air and splash around in baby pools.

Although Happy Tails opened its doors less than two weeks ago, there has already been much customer interest from the community.

The grand opening June 15 brought in 200 people.

"I spent several weeks visiting other daycare facilities in the area and found that this one was best suited to our needs," customer Denise McInerney said. "It was bright and clean and it looked like a safe environment for dogs. And of course everything's new."

Of course, Happy Tails has a Web site. Check out http://www.happytailsdogspa.com.

Staff writer Leah Haught contributed to this report.

© Arcom Publishing Inc. - Great Falls/McLean/Vienna Times 2002