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Owner Angela Koza and her shop cocker spaniel, Rodeo, at the new Wash the Dog self service dog wash and grooming service at 375 Post Road West in Westport, Conn. on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

Owner Angela Koza shows off her largest dog washing tub, perfect for big dogs, at the new Wash the Dog self service dog wash and grooming service at 375 Post Road West in Westport, Conn. on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

The new Wash the Dog self service dog wash and grooming service at 375 Post Road West in Westport, Conn. on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

A washing station perfect for smaller dogs at the new Wash the Dog self service dog wash and grooming service at 375 Post Road West in Westport, Conn. on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

WESTPORT — Wash The Dog — it’s as simple as that.

It’s also both the name and mission of a new dog grooming shop that opened in town about six weeks ago. Owner Angela Koza said the business, which offers self-service dog washing and full-service dog grooming, has been off to a busy start.

“People like the idea of taking care of their dogs, themselves,” she said. “They’re kind of like their children.”

Koza said business started to slow down in July, but she hopes it will continue to grow — especially in a time when she says the service is especially needed.

She said there was a surge of new pets during the COVID-19 pandemic, which means that there is also a need for grooming shops, such as Wash The Dog.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, more than 23 million households in the U.S. adopted a pet during the pandemic.

Wash The Dog offers multiple services, according to its website: self-service dog washing, self and full-service grooming, nail trimming and pet sitting.

Self-service dog washing is available as walk-in. Owners can choose out of six rooms with six different tub sizes. Some of the tubs have ramps for dogs to walk up, and employees can assist if a dog needs to be lifted into a tub.

One of the tubs is very large, similar to a shower, which Koza said some prefer.

Koza said she shows patrons how to use the faucets, and they’re good to go, though if they need assistance, she can help.

One of the features of Wash The Dog is the private rooms, which Koza said is safer for dogs, since they don’t have to be right next to each other.

Each of the rooms is sectioned off with a door. Two of the rooms are fully closed off, while the other four have half doors, so owners can see into the hallway.

Everything an owner needs is provided for during self-service, like shampoos, towels, brushes and scrubbers — and even aprons for the owners.

Wash The Dog is open to families, too. Koza said that multiple times, parents have brought their children with them to help wash their pet.

For the full-service grooming, dogs are only there between an hour and an hour and a half. There aren’t any cages at Wash The Dog, which Koza said has been very well received.

Koza started out as a mobile groomer and would go to personal houses and businesses to care for dogs. She walked away from the business about five years ago, though remained pet sitting and dog walking — but was drawn back in.

She saw self-service shops around the area and found them intriguing. She always wanted to try a shop, so Wash The Dog was born.

Originally, she looked to open in Wilton where she lives, but it did not work out.

“Happily, I ended up in Westport,” Koza said. “Much more traffic, much more need, more animals and just a lively town that I love.”

Koza said the name just came to her one day, which works with the do-it-yourself feature.

There are benefits to self-service grooming, Koza said.

“It’s an economical way to keep your dog clean in between full-service groomings, and for dogs who don’t get full-service groomings,” she said. “Keeping your dog clean keeps your house clean, and there’s so many people with allergies that a cleaner dog is better.”

Koza said that her clients have been happy with the service, and most have said that they will be back.

“The private rooms, they love, and I love the animals and the people,” she said. “I hope that people enjoy coming to our shop and have a pleasant experience and become repeat customers.”

The shop also sells a few toys and treats for dogs, as well as leashes and collars.

Wash The Dog’s self-service is $25 and full-service grooming starts at $80. The shop is located at 375 Post Road W. and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.