Dog Aquatic Therapy
Water therapy is an important service at our canine rehabilitation center. We have two dog swimming pools: one dog pool is four feet deep, has an easy access ramp and wide wooden deck for leading the swimming dogs around the perimeter or tossing a ball for retrieving.
We also have a large wading kiddie/doggie pool used for resistance walking as well as puppy confidence building and play. Any given day you will find dogs swimming here and having a great time, both canine rehabilitation and fitness clients!
Aquatic therapy, also called hydrotherapy or water therapy, is a powerful addition to a canine rehabilitation program for many individuals.
Do You Have a Hefty Dog that Needs to Lose a Few Pounds?
Swimming dogs actually have a more elevated heart rate and burn more calories than dogs doing comparable exercise on land. This fact makes the swimming pool the ideal place for overweight pets to begin to lose weight. On land the excess weight would make exercising for any length of time simply too difficult. Fat dogs still want to play, it’s just hard on land, but so much easier in the water, and they really have a good time! When you add the additional resistance of moving through the water, the muscles get a strength-building workout as well. The underwater treadmill is a bit different in that the animal is still walking, trotting, or running, but the buoyancy of the water protects the joints and the resistance of the water increases the workload.
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Helping Fractures Heal
Since the water decreases the load on joints and bones, even weakened muscles can be exercised without the burden of holding the body up – another reason that dogs in pools don’t have to be strong to exercise and lose weight. Physical therapy for dogs often includes rebuilding strength after broken bones have been repaired. Allowing the dog to work the healing leg in the water, whether it be the pool or the underwater treadmill, without pounding on the hard ground is a great solution in helping Fractures heal, and insures that the repaired fracture is protected while strength, fitness, and flexibility is being returned. The benefit of having a veterinarian certified in animal rehabilitation is that they can decide which form of aquatic therapy is best for your animal.
Degenerative Joint Disease in Older Dogs
Hydrotherapy is wonderful for dogs suffering from Degenerative Joint Disease (also called Arthritis or Osteoarthritis). Many of these older dogs are senior citizens, and may have lost muscle strength because of lack of exercise. Their joints are painful, so they don’t even walk as much, and then they begin to gain weight. Once these older dogs are evaluated and started on pain control and joint supplements, the first step to regaining their health is getting those dogs in the pool. After several months, improvement is often obvious, and the pain medication can be decreased if not stopped completely.
The average healthy dog finds swimming fun, and small groups of dog friends have come to our pet pool simply for a fun outing, or even a doggie pool party for a special birthday! Swimming is great exercise for maintaining or improving general fitness, and can be part of an intensive cross training program for the canine athlete.
Many dogs benefit from aquatic therapy for different reasons.
Common Aquatic Therapy cases:
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Overweight animals are able to burn calories, exercise muscles, and gain cardiovascular fitness without stressing their joints.
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Athletic dogs can maintain or improve their fitness when the heat prohibits running exercises.
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Some dogs need to be conditioned for sporting seasons or competition events, but are very hard on their body when leaping for balls and racing around. Swimming is perfect for improving cardiovascular fitness without stressing the legs.
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Swimming is a great way to exercise dogs with arthritis and allow the joints to move without the stress of bearing weight.
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Puppy swim and free swim times are available to introduce water and swimming skills to dogs in a safe environment. The more new experiences you give your puppies, the more likely they are to grow into solid, confident adults.
A happy time in our dog pool is a good start.
Pool Session Pricing:
Pool Sessions:
Following the Initial Examination and Consultation with your veterinarian and surgeon (if applicable). The goal of pool sessions is to help your pet have a healthy and active lifestyle through aquatic therapy by burning calories, exercising muscles, and helping to improve their cardiovascular system.
- Pool sessions with technician are $45
- Pool sessions without technician in the water are $30 for up to 30 minutes.
- Additional dog $10 for up to 30 minutes.
Danielle Bercier DVM CCRP
K9 Strong Rehabilitation & Conditioning
15828 South Blvd
Silverhill, AL 36576
Baldwin County Alabama Veterinarian
Office: (251) 945-7555
Cell: (850) 380-7973
Email: info@k9strong.org
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