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Facing closure just weeks after opening, a Prince George's County wellness spa was saved by a social media call for help, highlighting community support.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — A Prince George's County business nearly closed just weeks after opening. But, the owners say a post on social media changed everything.

There's a sense of relief when Nadine and Alex Vatel walk through the doors of their wellness spa today.

"One thing for certain, it's definitely been a journey of highs and lows," said Alex Vatel, co-owner of Sensory Sentiments.

Sensory Sentiments has only been open for about six months now. But, it almost didn't make it.

The Vatels say the costs of bringing the space up to code were overwhelming and they nearly closed after the first few weeks.

"I don't have a Plan B. I don't have a rich uncle or auntie to write me a check. What am I going to do. I felt so low," said co-owner Nadine Vatel.

Nadine turned to social media, asking for help. She says the response was overwhelming.

Organizations like Mob the Block showing up, which highlights Black owned businesses to create visibility. Even Prince George's County government leaders highlighted the business.

"People came in here and they said you're not going to close your doors. We are wanted here in this community," said Nadine Vatel.

The Vatels say the experience showed them how quickly a message can spread online and say they've received regional recognition for their spa.

They say anchoring themselves in the community is important as Prince George's County sees big economic shifts.

"Prince George's County is going through a big transition. Commanders are going to DC. Six Flags which was a staple closed. A lot of land — and a lot of opportunity, but what happens to it," said Nadine Patel.

For now, they're focused on serving clients and expanding the business the community helped save.

???? Community members - Adopters and fosters are still needed for 11 dogs on the latest urgent list by today, 3/10. Adoption fees are sponsored/waived for these pitbull type dogs 40+ pounds. Please go meet and adopt dogs and cats today. They are at full capacity with dogs and need space for more dogs coming in. Please meet and adopt them during adoption hours on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday. Update: See the Animal Services News (below.)

As of 3/10 4 PM: Now 11dogs need adopters and fosters! Adoption fees are sponsored/waived for these pitbull type dogs 40+ pounds. Only Cardi B has an adoption fee.

???? Adopters: Please go to the shelter and arrive by 5:30pm or no later than 6pm. Adopters are able to meet 2 dogs and bring dogs for meet and greets. Tip: Review the new requirements and complete the Pet Parenting Certification (that takes about an hour) before going to adopt Pit Bull Terriers and specific bully-type breeds. (See below.)

???? Prospective fosters: Many dogs and cats may be available to foster temporarily through the shelter. Contact the shelter to become a foster and save a life. "Interested in Fostering: Email fosterpgcpets@co.pg.md.us " Please review the foster information. Foster Information | Prince George's County

Fosters through the shelter and rescues are needed this week for adoptable dogs on urgent list. Please apply to rescue partners, or with the shelter, to become a foster and save a life. Fostering is usually free with a rescue. Urgent dogs may now be fostered through the shelter. See the Friends' posts seeking fosters and rescues for dogs.

Full Urgent List: facebook.com/share/1CPsUrxm5y/ (see these photos of the dogs in the album and reels)

Pet Unity Project post: instagram.com/petunityproject/p/DVesFzpjmpJ/

Adoption website: 24petconnect.com/PGEOADOPT (Tip to search by ID: Click on any animal and edit the animal's ID number in the link, then go to that page.)

Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, 3750 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Call 301-780 -7200 (select 1, 4 - adopt, then 3 - info) with the animal ID number(s) to check availability.Adoption Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm. (Arrive 1 hour before closing.)

Animal Services News

News release: https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/news-events/news/prince-georges-county-allows-legal-ownership-and-adoption-pit-bull-type-terriers-under-new-law

For more information about registration, licensing, training requirements, or to determine eligibility, residents may visit environment.mypgc.us/pitbulls.

Links: PG County Shelter adoption steps, fees, and spay/neuter https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/environment/animal-services/pet-adoption

https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/environment/animal-services/pet-care-education/spaying-neutering

Shelter posts: facebook.com/pgcpets4us/

Prince George's County Animal Shelter post: 2/12/26 7pm:

#DYK Pit bull–type terriers can now be legally owned, fostered, and adopted in Prince George’s County under a new pilot program, CB-97-2025, enacted February 2, 2026 At Prince George’s County Animal Services, we are excited to share this important step forward that expands adoption opportunities while keeping our community safe and informed. What’s changed? CB-97-2025 removes Animal Control Section 3-185.01 and allows Pit Bull–type dogs to be legally owned and adopted as long as all requirements are met.Breeds included under “Pit Bull Terrier”:• American Pit Bull Terrier• American Staffordshire Terrier• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

What’s required if you adopt or currently own a Pit Bull–type dog?

CB-97-2025 also includes updates to leash laws, definitions for “animal at large” and “dangerous dog,” and associated fines.

Learn more and read the full fact sheet here: environment.mypgc.us/pitbulls

Thinking about adopting? Interested adopters are strongly encouraged to complete the Pet Parenting Certification before visiting the shelter. The module takes about an hour and helps set everyone up for success. (located on website)"

This is a courtesy post.

???? Urgent: Community members - Adopters and fosters are needed to save 11 dogs remaining on the latest urgent list by today, 3/10. Adoption fees are sponsored/waived for these pitbull type dogs 40+ pounds. They all need to be adopted or have rescue commitment, and have to leave the shelter by today (or after spay/neuter.) If no one saves them, they will be euthanized due to being over capacity.

As of 3/10 4 PM: Now 11 dogs need adopters and fosters! Adoption fees are sponsored/waived for these pitbull type dogs 40+ pounds. Only Cardi B has a fee. She weighs 30 pounds.

Rescues are interested in helping and need fosters to save them. Check for updates at the Facebook links.

???? Adopters: Please go to the shelter today and arrive by 5:30pm or no later than 6pm to meet and adopt urgent dogs. Adopters are able to meet 2 dogs and bring dogs for meet and greets. If anyone is going to adopt them, please comment on their pages in the linked album.

???? Prospective fosters: Fosters through the shelter and rescues are needed for these dogs. Please apply with rescue partners, or with the shelter, to become a foster and save a life. Fostering is usually free with a rescue. See the Friends' posts seeking fosters and rescues for dogs.

Contact the shelter to become a foster and save a life. "Interested in Fostering: Email fosterpgcpets@co.pg.md.us " Please review their foster information. They allow pit bull-type dogs to be fostered in Maryland.

Please see bios, photos, and videos of the urgent dogs at these links, and share posts with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers.

Adoption website: 24petconnect.com/PGEOADOPT?at=DOG&sb=days_MaxMin (Tip to search by ID: Click on any dog and edit the dog's ID number in the link, then go to that page.)

View and share the Friends' posts & album for all 18 urgent dogs: facebook.com/people/Friends-of-PG-County-Animal-Shelter/61565594829660/

Full Urgent List: facebook.com/share/1CPsUrxm5y/ (see these photos of the dogs in the album and reels)

Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, 3750 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Call 301-780 -7200 (select 1, 4 - adopt, then 3 - info) with the animal ID number(s) to check availability.Adoption Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm. (Arrive 1 hour before closing.)

More information: PG County Shelter adoption steps, fees, and spay/neuter https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/environment/animal-services/pet-adoption https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/environment/animal-services/pet-care-education/spaying-neutering

Shelter posts: facebook.com/pgcpets4us/

This is a courtesy post.

RELEASE: Effective immediately, Charles and Prince George’s counties will lift the recreational water advisories in effect from late January. Montgomery County’s advisory will remain in effect until further notice. There continues to be no recreational water advisory necessary for the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County.

Working in close coordination with local health officials, the Maryland Department of Health today announced updates concerning local recreational water advisories for Charles and Prince George’s counties.

“MDH and local health departments are working in partnership with our fellow State agencies and across the DMV area to monitor, take proper precautions, and act to protect the health and well-being of Marylanders and others impacted by this spill,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “As we approach Spring with more people spending time outdoors, we will continue to evaluate the testing results and provide the public with actionable and timely health guidance based on the latest available data and science.”

Each local health department informed health guidance for the public’s recreational use of the Potomac River based on continuous water quality sampling results. Public drinking water continues to be safe and not impacted by the spill.

The Maryland Department of the Environment last week announced the results of recent water quality monitoring by the State that continues to show no evidence that shellfish harvesting waters of the Potomac River are affected by the Potomac Interceptor sewage spill further upstream. Pending further confirmation testing, the precautionary closure will be lifted on March 10.

A situational summary follows:

Prince George’s County Health Department is lifting its effective immediately. Health officials based the decision on the results of Potomac River water sa​​mples taken by the Maryland Department of the Environment in Prince George’s County that show bacteria at acceptable levels for recreational water use.

Charles County Health Department is lifting its effective immediately. Health officials based the decision on the results of Potomac River water samples taken by the Maryland Department of the Environment in Charles County showing bacteria at acceptable levels for recreational water use.

There continues to be no recreational health advisory necessary for the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County. St. Mary’s County remains outside the plume area. The Maryland Department of the Environment has been sampling the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County as part of its normal sampling operations related to assuring the safety of commercial and recreational shellfish growing. Results continue to confirm that the waters meet the criteria for recreational use by the public.

Montgomery County Health Department’s remains in effect until further notice based on various water quality sampling results continuing to show unacceptable levels of bacteria in the Potomac River in Montgomery County. The elevated levels in this area are expected given that the spill site occurred on federal land in Montgomery County. Health officials will continue to monitor water sampling quality results to determine whether additional advisories and action are warranted. In the meantime, the public recreating in Montgomery County should continue to follow the local health department’s Health Officer’s Guidance for Area Affected by the Potomac Interceptor Collapse.

General Health Guidance Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some level of risk because the water is not disinfected. Children five years and younger, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage spill events, people should:

If individuals come into contact with an impacted area and experience vomiting, diarrhea, a rash, or skin irritation after exposure, they are advised to contact their health care provider immediately.

Precautionary Shellfish Closure The Maryland Department of Health, together with the Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland Department of Natural Resources oversee the safety and integrity of commercial shellfish production and use stringent national criteria under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program to evaluate the growing waters for commercial shellfish harvesting. Shellfish standards follow a more stringent process than water contact advisories for recreational activities.

Oysters currently being sold on the market that come from the Chesapeake Bay meet National Shellfish Sanitation Program standards and are not coming from the closure area on the Potomac River. Each bushel of Maryland-harvested oysters currently being sold includes a tag indicating where they were harvested from and are tracked to ensure food safety standards are met.​​

The local health department recreational water advisories are different from the precautionary emergency shellfish closure issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment for a small portion of the Potomac River on Jan. 25. The area, which is 60 miles south of the incident (running from Charles County, bordering Virginia areas, and extending from the Port Tobacco River region down to the U.S. Route 301 bridge), is set to reopen March 10 based on water testing sampling that continues to show no adverse effect on shellfish harvesting waters. The closed portion of the river does not impact shellfish harvest in other areas, including those approved or conditionally approved for shellfish harvest.

​​Fishing and Boating Guidance – With the health advisories being lifted in Prince George’s and Charles counties, anglers and boaters can resume activities in these areas on the Potomac River. There continues to be no evidence that fish or shellfish populations in these areas were affected by the spill. Anglers should follow all Maryland Department of Natural Resources regulations regarding limits on catching and harvesting different species of fish.

Generally, it is safe to consume fish when following recommended fish consumption guidelines. Maryland seafood on the market is subject to strict food safety standards to ensure public health. Oysters on the market are harvested responsibly and in approved Chesapeake waterways.

???? Urgent: Community members - Adopters and fosters are needed to save 18 dogs on the latest urgent list by Tuesday, 3/10. Adoption fees for pitbull type dogs are sponsored. They all need to be adopted or have rescue commitment, and have to leave the shelter by Tuesday (or after spay/neuter.) If no one saves them, they will be euthanized due to being over capacity.

As of 3/5 PM: All 18 dogs need adopters and fosters! Adoption fees for pitbull type dogs 40+ pounds are sponsored. The adoption fee is $0 for Tommy the GSD (based on weight 80+ pounds).

Rescues are interested in helping and need fosters to save them. Check for updates at the Facebook links.

???? Adopters: Please go to the shelter Friday between 11am and 7pm (arrive by 6pm) to meet and adopt urgent dogs. Adopters are able to meet 2 dogs and bring dogs for meet and greets. If anyone is going to adopt them, please comment on their pages in the linked album.

???? Prospective fosters: Fosters through the shelter and rescues are needed for these dogs. Please apply with rescue partners, or with the shelter, to become a foster and save a life. Fostering is usually free with a rescue. See the Friends' posts seeking fosters and rescues for dogs.

Contact the shelter to become a foster and save a life. "Interested in Fostering: Email fosterpgcpets@co.pg.md.us " Please review their foster information. Foster Information | Prince George's County

Please see bios, photos, and videos of the urgent dogs at these links, and share posts with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers.

Adoption website: 24petconnect.com/PGEOADOPT?at=DOG&sb=days_MaxMin (Tip to search by ID: Click on any dog and edit the dog's ID number in the link, then go to that page.)

View and share the Friends' posts & album for all 18 urgent dogs: facebook.com/people/Friends-of-PG-County-Animal-Shelter/61565594829660/

Full Urgent List: facebook.com/share/1CPsUrxm5y/ (see dogs in the album)

Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, 3750 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Call 301-780 -7200 (select 1, 4 - adopt, then 3 - info) with the animal ID number(s) to check availability.Adoption Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm. (Arrive 1 hour before closing.)

More information: PG County Shelter adoption steps, fees, and spay/neuter https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/environment/animal-services/pet-adoption https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/environment/animal-services/pet-care-education/spaying-neutering

Shelter posts: facebook.com/pgcpets4us/

This is a courtesy post.