Design meets health

What she had previously only known in theory from her professional life is now becoming a reality: After spending months helping to plan and build Pawra, Mars Petcare’s new dog wellness centre in Chiswick, I was finally able to experience it as it was intended – as a dog mum, not as an experience designer. Naturally, I took my four-legged companion Loki along to try it out.

We arrived at the Community Hub, where the concierge team greeted us by name – Loki with treats, me with coffee. The space immediately felt different from a vet’s surgery: calm, warm, designed for comfort and connection.

In one of Pawra’s wellness suites, Loki underwent a full health check-up covering his lifestyle, mobility and oral care. There were no metal tables here – just soft beds and space to romp about. He wagged his tail the whole time and was completely relaxed. That alone showed me that the environment was doing exactly what we had designed it to do.

A brief examination revealed some tension in Loki’s hind legs, so he was given laser therapy to relax the muscles. He happily licked a licking mat coated with liver paste, wearing a pair of small protective goggles.

Next, we explored the gait analysis corridor, where motion technology monitored his steps in real time. We then moved on to the fitness room, where I learnt exercises and stretches we can do at home to support his mobility – practical insights I’d never had before.

Our final stop was the immersive treadmill suite, where a forest scene was projected, the rustling of leaves could be heard and the scent of pine filled the room. Loki had never been on a treadmill before, but immediately settled down. The sensory design worked wonders.

When it was time to leave, the Pawra team showered Loki with so much love that he didn’t want to go at all. I left feeling proud – not just because Hot Pickle helped bring this place to life, but also because Pawra shows what’s possible when design meets genuine dog care.

Loki’s verdict? Five out of five paws.