Aqua Dog Hydrotherapy Rehabilitation Centre is a family run business based in Northern Ireland. The primary focus is on small animal rehabilitation with the primary service being canine hydrotherapy. 

This form of Hydrotherapy utilises the properties of water to facilitate improved rehabilitation following surgery or injury and can also be used for general conditioning and fitness.

First established in 2016, Aqua Dog Hydrotherapy has grown to be the largest centre in Ireland with the largest collection of qualified hydrotherapists. Alongside this team of hydrotherapists is also a small team of veterinary physiotherapists.

With our expertise, specialist equipment and innovative techniques, we are committed to providing the best, up-to-date care for our clients. Find out what’s been happening with us at Aqua Dog Hydrotherapy. 

Dogs are loving the hydrotherapy pool 

Aqua Dog Hydrotherapy has built an indoor pool just for dogs. It is filled with warm water that encourages blood flow and eases muscular pain. Dogs may also be fitted with float coats to improve their movement in the water and support their weight within the pool. 

Our team of hydrotherapists are in the water with your dog, ensuring that they are supported and working on their individual goals. From injury repair to maintaining good health, the hydrotherapy pool is suitable for dogs with a range of conditions.

As Northern Ireland’s largest hydrotherapy centre, our large team can ensure that every dog, regardless of breed, age or size can access our facilities and benefit from the services provided. We provide your dog with a space for safe leisure and enjoyable physical therapy. 

Recently Daisy, a dog with a lot of complex spinal issues, benefited greatly from treatment in the hydrotherapy pool. 

What is hydrotherapy? 

Hydrotherapy is a form of physical therapy carried out in heated water. It utilises the properties of water for the benefit of the patient. It can greatly reduce any inflammation within the body and allows for more comfortable movement of joints to aid in rehabilitation goals.

Hydrotherapy is primarily used for injury recovery and speeding up the healing process but it can also be used for assisting weight loss, reducing swelling and improving mental wellbeing. 

What is dog hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy was adapted for the use of race dogs and racehorses in the mid 1990’s. It is now considered a standard practice for helping dogs recover from an injury or manage their physical health issues in a safe and responsible way. 

Dog hydrotherapy can help manage the following conditions: 

• Hip and Elbow dysplasia
• Spinal injuries and paralysis/neurological
• Cruciate ligament problems and surgery
• Obesity and weight management
• Patella luxation
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
• Osteoarthritis
• Soft tissue injuries
• Pre-operative fitness program
• Post-Operative muscle regeneration and maintenance
• Spondylosis
• Femoral head and neck excision
• Joint replacement surgery
• Arthritis 
• Muscle atrophy (wastage)
• Mental health

At Aqua Dog Hydrotherapy, we know how to best support your dog within the pool, focusing on their individual needs, range of movement and physical capability. We take pride in our gentle approach and positive reinforcement techniques that help ease your pet into the water.

As the largest dog hydrotherapy centre in Northern Ireland, we have helped spread the benefits of hydrotherapy to all of our canine friends. We support a wide range of health conditions and tailor hydrotherapy services to suit dogs of all sizes and abilities. 

Is my dog suitable for hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is adaptable for a wide range of health issues in dogs, there aren’t many health conditions that would prevent us from providing hydrotherapy treatment to your dog. We also tailor each session to suit your pet’s level of fitness and ability, we encourage recovery and avoid causing any further damage.

However, your dog may feel hesitant entering water, they may be scared to try new things and need some encouragement. At Aqua Dogs Hydrotherapy, we can help your dog overcome their fear or hesitance of entering the water. We guide them through the hydrotherapy process, let them explore their surroundings and take the sessions at their pace. 

We use a range of tactics to help ease your dog’s cautiousness of water, including bribes of tasty treats! Whatever method we can use, so that they can benefit from hydrotherapy treatment.  

Treadmill Therapy continues to work wonders 

Our state of the art treadmill and physio suite has been very impactful for dogs recovery. By using the specialised water treadmill we can make specific adjustments to water height, speed and time of active work so that our patients can have highly targeted sessions to reach their goals.

Treadmill therapy in particular is very useful to target specific muscle groups to improve mass and tone.

Treadmill Therapy can be used for rehabilitation following:

• cruciate ligament surgeries
• Spinal surgeries or paralysis
• Patella luxation cases
• Hip dysplasia and osteoarthritic patients
• General fitness and cardiovascular endurance
• Conditioning of the canine athlete

 Treadmill therapy is also a great way to introduce your dog to being in the water. It is a supervised exercise, tailored to their individual capability. One of our specialists will also be in the tank with your dog, ensuring that specific techniques are used for addressing their individual health concerns. 

At Aqua Dogs Hydrotherapy, we ensure that dogs feel comfortable, safe and supported in the water. We use lots of positive reinforcement and treats if required! 

Not your ordinary walk in the dog park 

We are not just rehabilitation therapists for your dog, we are also a place for your dogs to have some fun and recreation. Skip the usual dog walk in the park and treat them to having a fun splash in the water.

At Aqua Dogs Hydrotherapy, you can help keep your dog healthy by bringing them along for water play and exercise. Swimming helps dogs relieve stress, it stimulates their minds, increases muscle strength, improves their respiratory system and increases their overall level of fitness.

Elderly or injured dogs may particularly enjoy this form of exercise and it relieves pressure on their joints whilst still allowing them to be active. Although we’ve seen dogs of all ages and abilities enjoy a splash and swim in our pool. 

Aqua Dog Hydrotherapy teaches dogs the doggy paddle 

Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are born able to swim. Just like some humans, some dogs have had to learn this skill later on in life. At Aqua Dogs Hydrotherapy, we take pride in offering dogs guided swimming lessons in a safe and supervised environment. 

Our fitted life jackets help dogs nail the method of swimming before they have to support their own weight. We help dogs get more confident each week in their swimming ability, providing you with peace of mind that they are able to swim should they even be in water. 

Bring your dog along to learn the doggy paddle!

Feel good story – Simba gets his wheels

At Aqua Dogs Hydrotherapy, we love to celebrate the milestones of the dogs who pass through our clinic. This month we are incredibly proud of Simba who got his new wheels fitted, he took to them so well that it was like second nature to him! 

When Simba first came to the centre, he was very cautious and uninterested in our help. Although with patience (and cheesy treats) he let us conduct hydrotherapy treatment, it’s been great to build a trusting relationship with Simba and see him come so far in his journey. 

We also helped Simba get measured-up for his wheels, as it can be a challenging process for some dogs, but Simba was a champ all the way through! This new set of wheels will massively improve his quality of life and level of mobility.  

We are just so proud to be a part of Simba’s hydrotherapy and mobility journey. 

Why do dog owners choose us? 

At Aqua Dogs Hydrotherapy, we are known for our personal investment in the wellbeing and health of dogs. Our journey in hydrotherapy began with our own experiences in the treatment for our personal dogs. After seeing its effects, it inspired a passion in us to share the benefits of hydrotherapy for dogs across all of Northern Ireland. 

Our team of specialists can help manage your dog’s injury, achieve better health status and improve their overall wellbeing. We work closely with you, local vets and other dog therapists to create a plan that’s suitable for your dog’s individual treatment and progress. 

Aqua Dogs Hydrotherapy has the largest team of fully-qualified hydrotherapists within Ireland. We can help support a wide range of conditions and offer treatment to a wide range of breeds in all shapes and sizes. 

Choose us for expert opinion and valuable support when it comes to managing the health and wellbeing of your dog. 

Check out some of our fun activities and training with dogs:

http://www.aquadogni.co.uk/swimming/

http://www.aquadogni.co.uk/rehab-2/

http://www.aquadogni.co.uk/fun-and-leisure/