Canine Hydrotherapy as a Preventive Health Measure

Puppy, Brennan, enjoying his very first aqua therapy session with Beach Dog Aqua Therapy. © 2018-21. All Rights Reserved.

A dog of any age, weight and size can benefit from warm water hydrotherapy. Water-based aerobic exercise provides mental and physical health benefits for your dog. These benefits can be both preventive (fitness and pre-operative) or reparative (chronic conditions and post-operative).

Preventive: 
Beach Dog Aqua Therapy recommends hydrotherapy as a preventive treatment for:

• Puppies to give them a healthy start in life;
• Adult dogs prone to developing hip dysplasia or arthritis; and
• General muscle strengthening, increased fitness and improved flexibility.

 
Introducing your puppy to swimming at an early age provides multiple benefits. The aqua therapy provides a great, low-impact exercise that will leave your pup happy, well-rested and less prone to becoming destructive due to boredom. The water-based exercise reduces the chance of your puppy injuring developing muscles and joints, as well as increases circulation. The mental benefits for your puppy include increased confidence and comfort in the water. Hydrotherapy also provides your puppy with human socialization in a positive context.
 
Adult dogs also benefit from reduced stress and increased confidence when swimming with a certified hydrotherapist. Even if your dog does not show signs of an ailment or injury, aqua therapy provides a great form of exercise to keep your dog in prime fitness and health. Beach Dog Aqua Therapy utilizes a positive approach to help dogs overcome any fears of the water and boost their confidence as a swimmer. Exercise in a positive environment may also help address behavioral issues by relieving stress and anxiety. We find that our canine clients are always excited to come back for a swim session!
 
Reparative:
Warm water aqua therapy is also ideal for dogs of any age that are recovering from an injury or surgery and need a low-impact form of exercise to help them recover more quickly. Hydrotherapy helps them get back into shape more easily – and painlessly – by working muscles that may have atrophied before and/or after surgery. Providing pre-operative swim therapy can also reduce muscle atrophy and weight gain for the period of limited mobility following surgery.
 
If your adult dog is struggling with obesity, hydrotherapy is a great way to provide aerobic exercise to help your pooch lose excess weight. An overweight dog may have a shorter life span. The added weight adds stress on the joints and reduces the dog’s motivation and endurance levels. Beach Dog Aqua Therapy ensures that the weightless experience in the water is enjoyable, so that every dog is motivated for the next swim session.

Red Light Therapy & Essential Oils: 
Beach Dog Aqua Therapy uniquely combines swim sessions with red light therapy and applications of customized blends of Young Living® essential oils and CBD oil based upon each dog’s individual needs. To learn more about the synergistic benefits of red light therapy and essential oils, contact Certified Canine Hydrotherapist Diane Kenney today for a complimentary consultation to discuss the health goals unique to your dog.

---