| How It All Began... Four score and seven years ago.... (just kidding) |
Here it is, straight from the horse's, er, formulator's mouth:
"I've spent my entire life around dogs. First and foremost I'm a dog trainer. I also groom dogs, draw dogs,
photograph dogs, I've been a veterinary technician, a kennel owner, and I practice Canine Kinaesthetics. I
make it my business to guarantee that each and every one of my clients has the knowledge and tools to
provide their dogs with the best (fill in the blank) available. Ive always known that most mass-marketed dog
shampoos were full of a bunch of junk that I didn't want to be putting on my own dogs, much less my clients'
dogs.
I spent the first few years as a training kennel owner using decent dog shampoo that is marketed to the
grooming community. The dogs seemed happy enough, and the clients always seemed pleased with the way
their dogs looked and smelled. But I still wasn't happy with the long list of chemical ingredients I kept dumping
on these dogs that by default were trusting me to do the right thing. I wanted something better, for them and for
my peace of mind. What I started tinkering around with to help my dogs and my clients' dogs has become a
never ending adventure into the world of essential oils, herbal extracts, natural remedies, aromatherapy and
chemistry. I love to hear from people all over, people I've often never met, who have tried Vanessa's Dog
Shampoo and love what it does for their dog's skin and coat. I love to get suggestions from my clients, "Why
don't you make this." and "Have you ever tried or heard of that?". That tells me that people have faith in my
products and know that I only want what's best for their dogs.
My lab started out as my kitchen. My lab is STILL my kitchen, but it has also grown into bathtubs, grooming
shops, and veterinary clinics across the country. I like the fact that I still have ultimate say in exactly what goes
into Vanessa's Dog Shampoo, exactly where it comes from, exactly how it's marketed and exactly how it's
shipped. I love the fact that I can still be accessible to people all over the place whose dogs have problem skin
and they think they've tried everything. I love being able to tell people which shampoos will work best for their
dog's skin and coat conditions. Because of these things, I have decided to continue Vanessa's Dog Shampoo
as a cottage-industry product that, while state-of-the-art, has a wholesomeness that dog owners can identify
with. You will not find Vanessa's Dog Shampoo in any big box pet store or chain discount store, because at
that volume I feel I would be so far removed from it that it would no longer be the product of my brain, my labors,
my diligence, my integrity, and my love for everything dog. And there you have it."
--Vanessa Giddens, CPT, and formulator /owner of Vanessa's Dog Shampoo
photograph dogs, I've been a veterinary technician, a kennel owner, and I practice Canine Kinaesthetics. I
make it my business to guarantee that each and every one of my clients has the knowledge and tools to
provide their dogs with the best (fill in the blank) available. Ive always known that most mass-marketed dog
shampoos were full of a bunch of junk that I didn't want to be putting on my own dogs, much less my clients'
dogs.
I spent the first few years as a training kennel owner using decent dog shampoo that is marketed to the
grooming community. The dogs seemed happy enough, and the clients always seemed pleased with the way
their dogs looked and smelled. But I still wasn't happy with the long list of chemical ingredients I kept dumping
on these dogs that by default were trusting me to do the right thing. I wanted something better, for them and for
my peace of mind. What I started tinkering around with to help my dogs and my clients' dogs has become a
never ending adventure into the world of essential oils, herbal extracts, natural remedies, aromatherapy and
chemistry. I love to hear from people all over, people I've often never met, who have tried Vanessa's Dog
Shampoo and love what it does for their dog's skin and coat. I love to get suggestions from my clients, "Why
don't you make this." and "Have you ever tried or heard of that?". That tells me that people have faith in my
products and know that I only want what's best for their dogs.
My lab started out as my kitchen. My lab is STILL my kitchen, but it has also grown into bathtubs, grooming
shops, and veterinary clinics across the country. I like the fact that I still have ultimate say in exactly what goes
into Vanessa's Dog Shampoo, exactly where it comes from, exactly how it's marketed and exactly how it's
shipped. I love the fact that I can still be accessible to people all over the place whose dogs have problem skin
and they think they've tried everything. I love being able to tell people which shampoos will work best for their
dog's skin and coat conditions. Because of these things, I have decided to continue Vanessa's Dog Shampoo
as a cottage-industry product that, while state-of-the-art, has a wholesomeness that dog owners can identify
with. You will not find Vanessa's Dog Shampoo in any big box pet store or chain discount store, because at
that volume I feel I would be so far removed from it that it would no longer be the product of my brain, my labors,
my diligence, my integrity, and my love for everything dog. And there you have it."
--Vanessa Giddens, CPT, and formulator /owner of Vanessa's Dog Shampoo