When Sandra Nassima founded Depuravita, it wasn’t a branding exercise. It was a personal reset — a move from the world of architecture and luxury real estate into something quieter, but far more vital: the practice of daily well-being.

What began as a single detox offering soon became a broader ecosystem: teas, tinctures, supplements, powders — all crafted with rigour, restraint, and a refusal to follow passing trends. Over time, Depuravita grew into a recognised standard for those seeking wellness that’s both intelligent and intentional.

Now, more than a decade later, Sandra opens a new chapter. Not in the human space — but in the one closest to her heart.

She didn’t grow up with animals. Her first dog, Jabba, arrived ten years ago. Sasha, a Biewer Terrier, followed later — smaller, delicate, deeply bonded. A few weeks after moving to the countryside, Sasha passed away unexpectedly due to clinical negligence. The experience brought one truth into focus: in both human and animal health, prevention is everything. Once you’re at the door of a clinic, it’s already too late. What matters is acting early — with daily care, awareness, and respect for the body’s signals.

That moment didn’t just break her — it reshaped her. And from that space, Sashico Holistic Pet was born.

Not as a side project. Not as a brand extension. But as a second, serious path — guided by the same blend of science, intuition, and uncompromising standards that define Depuravita.

In this exclusive interview, Sandra reflects on what it means to start again — and why our animals deserve better.

Why did you create Sashico Holistic Pet — and how did the project take shape?

“Sashico didn’t begin as a brand. It began as a responsibility.”

Sashico was born from loss — and from the need to transform that loss into something useful. When Sasha passed away due to veterinary negligence, I was left with more than grief. I was left with questions. What if I had done more? What if I had supported her body earlier, every day, in the way I support my own? That’s when I realised there was nothing on the market I could fully trust for my animals — nothing that reflected the same standards I apply at Depuravita.

So I decided to build it.

From the start, I wasn’t alone. I shared the idea with my friends Rossella, Riccardo, and Maurizio, founders of Poldo Dog Couture, and they understood immediately what I was trying to do. Their support — on a personal and professional level — gave me the clarity and structure I needed to shape Sashico as a serious project. Not a reaction, but a response.

Together, we created something that’s intentionally different. Every step — from formulation to production — is handled with care, slowness, and full visibility. I work directly with expert veterinary labs and trusted collaborators who share this vision. No shortcuts. No standardised formulas. Just the kind of product I would give to my own dogs, because I already do.

Sashico is my way of offering animals the same respect we ask for ourselves — starting with prevention, not intervention. Starting every day, not at the emergency room door.

SANDRA'S SELECTION

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“In both human and animal health, prevention is everything. Once you’re at the door of a clinic, it’s already too late. "

What makes Gut Essence different from other pet supplements — and why did you choose a liquid botanical tincture as your first product?

Gut Essence isn’t a powder, a capsule, or an industrial paste. It’s a liquid botanical tincture — something that’s almost nonexistent in the European pet market. I chose this format very intentionally: because it allows for better absorption, greater botanical integrity, and the flexibility to support animals of all ages, including older dogs and those with sensitive digestion.

The formula is 100% plant-based and free from synthetic additives. We use a process I call Botanical Energy Concentration — an eight-week infusion of whole plants, designed to extract and preserve not just active compounds, but also the plant’s natural vitality. Most supplements today rely on isolated molecules or aggressive extraction methods that strip away nuance. Gut Essence does the opposite: it works in synergy with the animal’s system, never against it.

The consistency is light and fluid, with a neutral herbal taste that dogs accept easily — even the fussiest ones. The base is clean water and minimal glycerol, just enough to preserve the infusion without compromising purity.

To maintain batch consistency, we apply the same approach I use at Depuravita: small-batch production, full traceability, and direct oversight. I personally approve every batch. We work with a single trusted lab partner to avoid industrial shortcuts, and to make sure every bottle reflects the intention and quality behind it.

Gut Essence was never meant to fit into what’s already out there. It’s the first true expression of what Sashico stands for — slow, purposeful, and deeply respectful of the animals we’re supporting.

Why did you choose to launch with just one product — and is there more coming?

We chose to start with one product because we believe in doing things slowly and with purpose. Gut Essence is what we call a green product — evergreen in function, not just formulation. It’s suitable for dogs with gut issues, but also ideal for those who simply need gentle, ongoing support for digestion, inflammation, immunity, and long-term vitality.

It’s not reactive. It’s proactive. And we wanted our first release to reflect exactly what Sashico stands for: daily care, not crisis management.

That said, we’ve always believed in creating products that work in synergy. Gut Essence is the liquid tincture — and Gut Power, our botanical chew, is coming next. It offers the same philosophy in a different format: functional, easy to give, and made with the same ingredient integrity.

We’re also working on a collagen-based drink for dogs, infused with mushroom extracts — especially useful for animals that don’t hydrate enough. It supports joint health, vitality, and hydration, in a format that’s both practical and enjoyable.

We’re not here to launch fast. We’re here to build things that last — for the animals we love.

What do you personally give your dogs, and how do you care for them on a daily basis?

I cook all their meals at home . This nutritional approach was developed together with Dr. Barbara Tonini, Jabba’s veterinary nutritionist and one of the experts who supported me throughout the Sashico project. She was the first to show me how powerful home-cooked food could be when done properly. Jabba and Peggy eat fresh, whole food: mainly meat with seasonal organic vegetables, a touch of millet or buckwheat, and cold-pressed oils.

Until our own Sashico probiotic is ready — it’s currently in development — I use Depuravita’s Heal My Solar Plexus in carefully adjusted doses. The principle is the same: clean formulation, no fillers, no synthetic overload.

Both dogs are also on homeopathic treatment, prescribed by a practitioner, Dr. Dodesini I trust more than any conventional protocol. His remedies are subtle, energetic, and precise — and for my dogs, they’ve made a measurable difference.

And then, every evening, both of them take Sashico Gut Essence. That’s become a non-negotiable ritual.

It’s helped Jabba reduce the chronic inflammation she struggled with for years — we saw real changes in her digestion, skin, and general comfort. Peggy, who came to us a year after losing Sasha, was a rescue. I wanted to give another dog a second chance — and, in a way, to redirect my grief into care. She arrived with a very delicate digestive system, frequent intestinal issues, and recurring discomfort with her anal glands. Gut Essence, along with a clean diet and daily consistency, helped bring her balance.

For me, this is the proof. We don’t launch concepts — we test in real life, with the dogs we live with and love.

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