Venus de Fido

Venus de Fido Opening in Palm Desert, July 10, 2016

Pups and their peeps keep close spa company.

Susan Stein Social Scene

Venus de Fido
From left, Dee Wambaugh, Don Genhart, Lindi Biggi and Joyce Smith enjoy the opening of Venus de Fido in Palm Desert.
PHOTOS BY GREGG FELSEN

Dogs are people, too. OK, not exactly; dogs are better than people, and they deserve to be pampered. At Venus de Fido in Palm Desert, they get their due.

Venus de Fido, a health and wellness luxury spa for pets and their human companions, was conceived, designed, and recently opened by a generous and enthusiastic philanthropist, Lindi Biggi, who spends most of her time advocating for animals. Biggi completely renovated the cavernous Palm Desert Athletic Club, Biggi fulfilled her dream of giving dogs the indulgent pleasures that humans enjoy.

More than 200 guests oohed and aahed at Venus De Fido’s opening beneath the domed foyer, including hand painted murals of Linda and Gino Biggo with their dogs, and her daughter Laurie Loftis with her dog, among others in the Romanesque building. Guests sipped Champagne, smoothies, and hors d’oeuvres as the dogs in attendance dined on gourmet canine cuisine.

A tour of the facilities included a full-service gym, a boutique stocked with items for both species, a beauty salon, massage rooms, an 8-person hot tub, and much more available with a membership or day pass. The boutique sells yoga wear, casual attire, silk and knit fashions by local designer Sabina Bach, makup, spa, beauty and aroma therapy products, and accessories and goodies for dogs.

Membership is $75 per month for one tear and $100 per month for six months. There is also a Fido membership and a Fido and Venus membership. The fitness day pass is $25. Services are separate but include the gym and other facilities including a squash court. Doggy day care is $10 per hour and use of the Dog Park is $10 per session.

Where else do you find a salt therapy room for humans to treat their allergies, sinus problems, or to relax by inhaling salt aromas and Himalayan Pink salt crystals?

The all-white lounge seems like a room in the Frozen ice palace … minus the frostbite. Canines get groomed, and obedience- and agility-trained. There’s day care by the hour, doggie play groups and treadmill time, and fitness classes with their human.

Among attendees at the opening (which happened to be Biggi’s birthday), were DeAnn Lubell, Patti Gribow, Janet Newcomb, Pam Price, Ryan Ryan of The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo, Dan McGrath, Bianca Rae, Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnick and Brian Harnick, handbag designer Timmy Woods, and Grace Robbins. Many of the guests were accompanied by their pups.

Biggi founded the nonprofit Loving All Animals in 2009. “My passion for animals is in my genes,” says Biggi, “and today I am living my passion surrounded by like-minded people.”

Venus de Fido
73600 Alessandro Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-834-7050
www.venusdefido.com


PHOTO GALLERY:
View the photos from the opening.