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.
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;
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:
Upon submitting your appointment request, you will be required to sign our online Rehabilitation Therapy Authorization and Policies Agreement, within this agreement you are agreeing that you have consulted your veterinarian regarding rehabilitation therapies for your dog's diagnosed condition and/or injury or undiagnosed symptoms and have shared all relevant information regarding your dog's health to Maple Hill Canine Centre's Hydrotherapist.
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.
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 fee for the first and second dog, third dog is free, and any additional dogs will be given a discounted fee 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.
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.
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.
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.
We make every attempt available to eliminate possible irritants from the pool. Our pool water is balanced using the Clear Blue Mineral 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
962 Maple Hill Road
Oxford Station, ON K0G 1T0
613-258-1000
MapleHillCanineCentre@gmail.com
