Hydrotherapists are registered and operate under NARCH guidelines.
Physiotherapists are RAMP registered
Our Services
Our Canine Hydrotherapy Clinic provides a range of services for your dog to recuperate from injury or surgery, keep fit and healthy or encourage your dog to swim and have fun safely.
Initial Assessment
If your pet has been referred by a vet for hydrotherapy, we will require an Initial Assessment to be booked before regular treatment sessions commence.
This first session will take up to 1 hour and involve a full consultation and discussion about the condition, medication, current exercise, etc to get a full understanding of the condition.
Hydrotherapy Sessions
We try to make the whole experience as relaxing and enjoyable for your dog as possible. we are qualified, experienced, caring experts, who use forms of motivations including toys, treats and verbal encouragement.
All dogs are fitted with either a buoyancy jacket or a control harness when in the pool. There is always a hydrotherapist in the pool with your dog. The therapist will be using techniques to encourage optimal movement of limbs for that particular conditions.
We will take time to familiarise your dog to the surroundings, the time in the pool in this session may only be short. The aim is to increase the time in the pool by each session. The session price is the same, however much time is spent in the pool
Benefits of Hydrotherapy
The properties of water make canine hydrotherapy beneficial in the following ways?
Buoyancy
The water creates a weightless environment that reduces the pressure on the joints and muscles. You will know from swimming yourself how much lighter you feel. This is the same for dogs who get to enjoy a hydrotherapy session
Hydrostatic pressure
The pressure surrounding the dog’s body whilst in the water decreases the pain and reduces swelling.
Resistance
The slight resistance you get in the water isn’t just beneficial for humans, it has the same impact on dogs. The water resistance helps dogs to tone, build muscle and increase their cardiovascular fitness
Temperature
The warm water allows the dog’s tissue to become more elastic whilst promoting circulation and relaxation. It can also alleviate pain and help to improve movement. In fact, no different to the enjoyment humans recognise from having a nice warm bath.
Hydrotherapy
Additional Services
Weight Management
Just like us, dogs enjoy a change of exercise to assist in cutting down that extra weight acquired whether through recovery, over indulgence or maybe a change in their owner's ability to sustain their normal exercise routines. A guided pool swim can equate to almost ten times the equivalent time spent on a walk. An occasional swim provides a beneficial alternative to shift some unwanted weight. We weigh dogs as a matter of course so can help monitor their progress. Additionally our Vet Physio could assist with weight management plans if required.
Water Confidence
We can give confidence to new puppies and older dogs alike. We find it give the owners more confidence too! These sessions increase confidence around water for all when considering walks, excursions and holidays beside rivers and sea. It also helps that if your dog's breed is predisposed to conditions which benefit from hydrotherapy in their later years , it eases the situation if they are already comfortable in water.
Fun and Fitness
Some Dogs just love water and just cannot wait to splash in the pool. It certainly is a great way to let an exuberant dog let off some steam. Most of our most energetic clients tend to sleep soundly after a session which often allows their owners valuable me time for themselves !