We assess each animal to create a customized plan for exercise that may include the services detailed below.  This evaluation process involves collaborating with the primary care veterinarian and the pet owner to ensure that goals are reached quickly and safely.  A veterinary referral is necessary for us to have a full understanding of the dog's health history  before beginning any exercise program. Our programs are not an alternative to veterinary medicine or your pet's veterinary care. We will not diagnose, treat or prescribe for any condition. We recommend that clients having any concerns about the health of their animal consult their primary care veterinarian. We will not work with any animal without the express consent of the primary care veterinarian. The primary care veterinarian will be kept informed of your pet's progress throughout the exercise program.

Swim Exercise

Swimming offers an early and efficient start for conditioning fast muscle redevelopment, reestablishing neuromuscular coordination and improving joint health and cardiovascular fitness. 
 
We offer a custom-designed 17’ x 6’ heated swim pool with swim jets that allow dogs to gain fitness and strength by swimming against an adjustable current.

The pool is maintained at a temperature of 86 degrees in summer and 92 degrees in winter.  Warm water helps muscles relax and eases any discomfort in joints, tendons and muscles.  It is much more beneficial to swim dogs in heated water.  Cold water causes constriction of the blood vessels near the skin and of the superficial muscles which restricts the blood flow, making the muscles less efficient.

The pool is sanitized with a combination of bromine and ozonation.  The advantages to using bromine over chlorine are that bromine is safe, is a good sanitizer with no odor and will not irritate a dog’s skin.

The water in our pool is tested twice daily for water chemistry and bacteria through a combination of test strips and full  drip tests.  We vacuum the pool daily, perform a water exchange 1 – 2 times a week and maintain the highest quality levels possible.

Your pet may be natural swimmer that jumps right in, but for those dogs that don’t have that level of comfort, we provide flotation jackets.  We will work one on one with your pet in the pool at all times.  We do not allow owners in the pool as it is very easy to be injured by a swimming dog.

We do encourage you to participate in all aspects of the exercise sessions.  If you wish to take pictures or throw toys for your dog to retrieve, that is fine.  You are a partner in your dog’s well being and health and your dog will appreciate your presence.

The underwater treadmill tank provides low impact exercise in a reduced gravity environment.  By adjusting the height of the water, up to 40% of the weight on the dog’s limbs can be reduced, eliminating concussive stress on joints. The water also provides resistance with every stride, which can be increased by the use of built-in water jets. The underwater treadmill is most beneficial for dogs who require decreased weight- bearing exercises.

The canine underwater treadmill features adjustable speeds and, as the water comes from our swim pool.  Dogs are introduced slowly to the treadmill to make them more comfortable.  As exercise sessions progress and the dog's strength and fitness increases, more resistance is provided with the built in hydro jets.  

Massage can increase muscle and joint mobility and flexibility, improve circulation, enhance healing, reduce stress, and just like a human massage, it just feels good.  Massage benefits all dogs, not just those with aches and pains or injuries. 

Land treadmills, physio balls, balance boards and therabands are just a few items in our  exercise cache to increase muscle strength and joint mobility and improve cardiovascular health in a controlled environment.  Since each case is unique and every animal is unique, we work one on one with each pet to facilitate physical exercise progress.

Free swimming and using the underwater treadmill are excellent forms of exercise for weight loss.  All of the muscles normally used in movement are involved - without the weight bearing stresses on muscle, joint, tendon and ligament.  On land, each footfall creates a shock wave which travels up the limb and is absorbed by bones, tendons and joints. While these stresses are necessary to maintain healthy, strong bones, if severe or repetitive, these shock waves can actually damage or weaken the limb, particularly an arthritic joint or one recovering from an injury.  Swimming allows the "working out" and strengthening of the muscles while avoiding this potentially damaging concussion.  Also, because of the increased resistance to movement, (resistance is SEVEN times greater in water) the muscles have to work harder than they would on land.

If all this sounds like hard work - it is - that's the idea!  For a dog, a 5 minute swim is equivalent to about a 5 mile run!  But the natural buoyancy of the water and the fact that sudden twists, stops and falls are impossible, makes aquatic exercise  safe and effective for your dog.