Hydrotherapy uses techniques to facilitate the rehabilitation of dogs who have various conditions or injuries. Hydrotherapy uses the buoyancy of water and swimming techniques to improve your dog’s life. It can improve balance, build muscle, and increase blood circulation. Swimming is an ideal exercise because it helps to support a dog’s weight and delivers a safe and low-impact full-body workout.
Health professionals have found that canine hydrotherapy strengthens the muscle, ligaments, and tendons, and improves joint flexibility. The water resistance causes dogs to exert extra effort for motion activities related to muscular strengthening and conditioning. This makes swimming and the rehab process for the dog highly effective.
Swimming improves dogs’ mental well-being. Just like humans, dogs need mental stimulation through play, fun, and varied activities to be happy.
With swimming, dogs usually restricted to a leash can release all their pent-up energy. Consequently, they will be able to sleep well and benefit from various therapeutic properties.
The pressure and warmth of the water cause blood vessels to expand, which increases blood flow. According to a recent publication from the American Kennel Club, it helps increase heart and lung capacities and gets the heart pumping. It also helps speed up the healing process and is considered a natural anti-inflammatory, resulting in pain relief.
Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for your dog. It provides numerous health benefits, including strengthening the heart and lungs, decreasing inflammation, increasing metabolism, and improving circulation, which helps keep the skin and coat healthy. The resistance of the water uses every major muscle group, improving overall tone and strength. All this adds up to a happy dog who can run, play, and have fun for longer with less risk of injury.
At Rocky’s Retreat, we offer different aqua therapy options for dogs. The first are Assisted Hydrotherapy Sessions. In these sessions, dogs are accompanied by a trained and certified hydrotherapist who guides the entire session to ensure safe and sound methods. These sessions are often for recovery and therapeutic purposes and are customized to each canine’s unique health needs. The second option is Recreational Hydrotherapy Sessions. Exercises in this session help build stamina, endurance, and strengthen muscles while increasing energy. This can improve athletic performance and help protect against muscle strains or injuries.
We are specifically trained to work with dogs who have problems with water. We are very patient and will work slowly and gently to get your dog accustomed to the pool.
At Rocky’s Retreat, we are certified and caring professionals devoted to restoring and enhancing the health and happiness of your beloved pup. We even have developed our unique method of canine water therapy called Canautics, based on research from the leaders in the canine hydrotherapy industry. To learn more about swimming therapy for dogs in Orlando, reserve an appointment for a specialized session or schedule a free tour of our facility today!