Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy - a form of therapy that uses the properties of water to benefit our dogs. Improving muscle strength, range of motion, faster recovery time, promoting circulation, tissue healing, cardio fitness, and gait modification.

dog hydrotherapy session

Hydrotherapy

Certified as a Canine Hydrotherapist in July 2020, I have had the pleasure of witnessing hydrotherapy improving the physical, mental and emotional health of many dogs. Improving balance, strengthening, building muscle, and recovering nerve function, but there is so much more than just these few benefits. Hydrotherapy using the properties of water – buoyancy, resistance and hydrostatic pressure, to support the dog, encouraging them to move their joints. The buoyancy allows the weight of the body to be supported when submerged in the pool, by eliminating gravity which decreases the stress on the joints, creating a safe and supported environment for rehabilitation post-surgery.  

Senior dogs who suffer from chronic mobility conditions such as arthritis, greatly benefit from hydrotherapy. The pool heated to 90-degrees fahrenheit helps reduce inflammation, relax tense muscles and has countless other benefits. 

Water therapy stimulates, strengthens and relaxes the body, while improving balance, coordination, and increasing overall energy levels, all while decreasing pain and stress.

Further benefits of hydrotherapy for dogs;

  • Recovering from an injury
  • Dogs who suffer from degenerative joint disease
  • Dogs who have been paralyzed
  • Recovering from fractures
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Limb amputation
  • Neurological disorders

Hydrotherapy is very beneficial for senior dogs who suffer from arthritis and/or nerve damage; the warm water helps reduce inflammation and promotes circulation, along with numerous other benefits.

Additional benefits include:

  • Increase circulation, ideal for skin and coat
  • Increase lymph drainage, rid the body of toxins, and improving function of the immune system
  • Encouraging better digestion and promote balance and coordination
  • A low-impact activity for weight loss, regular swimming in the pool helps promote weight loss, providing a safe exercise for those joints carrying excess weight

Rehab for Injuries, Post-Surgery and/or Diagnosed Conditions:

  • Rehabilitation Consultation 60-75-minutes $100-$150.00*
  • Rehabilitation Additional Therapy Session 30-minutes $50.00

Pool Hours - Monday & Wednesday 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM / Tuesday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM / Friday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM / Every Other Saturday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Upon receiving your appointment request, we will send (by email) the required vet approval form to the clinic listed on your online profile. There is no cost for this form to be completed. Once we receive the form (usually within 24-48 hours) we will confirm your appointment date and time.

*After the initial consultation appointment, the hydrotherapist will review your dog’s condition and provide you with a rehabilitation plan and pricing, specific to your individual dog’s needs.

Senior Dogs:

  • Senior Dog Consultation 60-minutes $100.00*
  • Senior Additional Therapy & Swim Session 30-minutes $45.00

Pool Hours - Monday & Wednesday 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM / Tuesday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM / Friday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM / Every Other Saturday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

After the initial consultation appointment, the hydrotherapist will review your dog’s abilities, your goals for your dog and provide you with a recommendation for your individual dog's program, the number of sessions weekly and how long your dog should participate in  therapy and swim, offering  discount pricing for individual swim/therapy programs.

To provide your aging dog with comfort and quality of life, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Giving them an activity that they can enjoy without adding stress to their joints, & providing relief of chronic medical conditions.

Equipment and Facility:

  • 9-ft wide by 17-ft long, 3.5-ft deep
  • Indoor mineral pool, heated to 90 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Automatic lift that brings the dog to the pool deck
  • Platform lowers and raises the dog in and out of the pool. No Ramp!
  • Various flotation devices to support the dogs while in the pool.
  • Various height platforms in the pool, to provide them a place to rest.
  • 360 degree underwater views that are displayed on a 40-inch TV screen.
  • Ability to record the session to evaluate your dogs progress during their therapy.  
Book your dog's hydrotherapy appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

🐾Do you rent your pool out?

Pool rental is available only after your dog has attended their Intro Swim Session. Once we have determined that your dog is capable of swimming in the pool without assistance, that you are capable of assisting your dog from the pool deck, and that you understand how to use our equipment, you are welcome to "rent the pool" for your dog(s).

Please note although the service is listed as Pool Rental - 60 minutes, it is charged by the dog, not by the hour. So upon selecting the Pool Rental Service, you will be prompted to add the pool rental fee for each dog on the following screen.

There is a $30 charge for the first and second dog, third dog is free, and any additional dogs will be charged $15 for an additional 15-minutes per dog.

We charge by the dog because the more dogs in the pool, the more maintenance, and wear-n-tear on our equipment.

🐾How to know what pool/swim service to select for my dog(s)?

If your dog has any injury or requires rehabilitation, you will select the Hydrotherapy - Rehabilitation Consultation for your first session for your dog and future sessions will be Hydrotherapy - Rehabilitation Session. If you have a senior dog who would benefit from therapy (massage and strengthening exercises) due to chronic mobility related conditions, please select Senior - Therapy Consultation for the first session and further sessions will be Senior - Therapy Session.

For those dogs swimming as a recreational activity, for their first session select Recreational Swim - Intro/First Session and future sessions will be Recreational Swim - Additional Session.

🐾 Dogs that are diagnosed with incontinence, are they able to participate in hydrotherapy?

Yes. We ask that you do not feed your dog within 2 hours of their hydrotherapy session and make attempts to offer them time to relieve themselves after they have arrived at our facility. All dogs with incontinence are required to wear a diaper. We have diapers available in some sizes if you do not have your own.

🐾 Do you offer hydrotherapy services for dogs that have behavioural concerns?

Yes. We will always attempt to offer our hydrotherapy services to all dogs. We try to accommodate handling the dog’s as they feel comfortable. We have worked with dogs, that wear muzzles and head halters in the pool for the safety of the therapist and the dog.

🐾 My dog has allergies that causes skin irritations, can they still go in the pool?

We make every attempt available to eliminate possible irritants from the pool. Our pool water is balanced using the Clear BlueMineral Ionizer. Mineral pools need to maintain a chlorine level of 0.1 – 0.5ppm (saltwater pool 10 ppm) and are shocked with a chlorine free product so you won’t smell any chlorine in our pool area. We also do regular testing for both E. coli and coliform bacteria, and pool chemistry daily, to ensure we maintain a safe, clean, and balanced pool, for your dog to enjoy.

🐾 My dog has been diagnosed with an injury and/or medical condition that is affecting their mobility, and surgery is scheduled for the future. Can my dog participate in hydrotherapy before surgery?

We always request vet approval when we are offering therapy to dogs with diagnosed mobility conditions. Approval is obtained by having us submit an electronic form to your dog’s vet clinic, at no charge to the client. If your dog has been approved to participate in hydrotherapy before surgery, we will certainly offer our services.

🐾 My dog has never liked swimming, can they still participate in hydrotherapy?

Yes. Of course, it is much easier when the dog likes swimming, but we have offered our hydrotherapy services to many dogs, who did not like swimming. Once the dog accepts being in the pool, and they feel the benefits from the hydrotherapy, they become much more willing to participate in the pool.

🐾 What do I need to bring to a swim session?

A towel or two. A toy that encourages your dog to participate. If your dog has food sensitivities, bring their treats. Any information we don’t have, that you feel is relevant to the dog’s reason for requiring hydrotherapy.

🐾Does my dog need to be groomed/clean to go in the pool?

We would prefer that your dog not have debris stuck in their coat, and not be covered in mud. They do not need to be recently groomed. We ask that you do not brush your dog’s coat, or clip your dog’s nails on the day of their hydrotherapy session.

🐾Do I need to bring a towel for my dog?

We do have towels to dry your dog off, but it is a good idea to bring your own, as you might want it for the drive home.