Written by Gary Jeanfaivre
They know the dogs by name. They ask how customers' kids are by name.
And they've been styling a reputation as trustworthy pet groomers for more than 10 years in the area.
Yet Amber Torres' business, P.E.T. Spa, has only been open for about a year. The Milford resident is helped by her mother, Karen DeLuca.
The two may be familiar faces to pet owners. They worked as groomers at PetCo for the past 11 years -- five in Stratford and six in Milford. DeLuca was the grooming manager at both locations.
Now, her daughter is the boss. They work side by side at the 555 Boston Post Road business in Orange.
And soon they'll be taking over another grooming business, in Milford. The deal is still in the works, so the location hasn't yet been announced.
Still, the Milford location will likely sport the same sign that P.E.T. Spa has become known for -- featuring Buddy, a 2-year-old standard Poodle rescue who Torres took in.
P.E.T. stands for Pure Essence Therapy. And it's a title that goes in line with some of the services Torres specializes in, including pet massage and pet Reike.
"It's getting popular," she says of the massage, noting how it can be beneficial to dogs who may have circulation issues, arthritis, or anxiety.
During a visit last week none of the dogs seemed stressed in the least bit. About five of them were roaming around in the business, behind a gate, some playing and others lounging.
"We really care and we treat them like our own," Torres says. "They become like family."
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