Wanting To Dive Into Dog Hydrotherapy?

Discover all there is to know about how to start your hydrotherapy career

Q&A With Rachel from Doggy Paddle in Norwich

Pet hydrotherapy is a rewarding profession that combines rehabilitation, exercise, and care to help animals recover from injuries, manage pain, and improve mobility. But how do you break into the field? What qualifications do you need? What does a day in the life of a hydro-therapist look like? Whether you’re considering a career change, looking for training options, or simply curious about the field, this blog with a certified, experienced hydro-therapist can answer your questions.

Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to become a pet hydro-therapist and dog swimming coach?

• "My background is actually in human neuroscience and dementia, but when I got a water-mad Labrador 7 years ago, I wanted to make a change where I could spend more time with her doing the thing she loves most. I was lucky working at the university allowed me to make use of their Enterprise team and I was able to flush out a business plan and gain funding from banks to finance the hydrotherapy centre, and canine biology is not that different from human! My second therapist studied at the local animal college and joined us for weekends at 16, and fell in love with the dogs and the work and we completed her training from then."

What qualifications or certifications do you hold in animal hydrotherapy and dog swimming?

• "The main qualification is a certificate in Canine Hydrotherapy - this covers the canine's skeletal, muscular and soft tissue systems, and most common joint conditions and surgical procedures, it also covers all the practical training and practical hours on how to work with dogs in water to treat different injuries, and joint conditions, or to improve performance for sporting dogs. We then complete a further 25 hours per year minimum (we tend to do more) in CPD where we learn from other professionals, either case studies on unique injuries/surgeries, or new forms of treatment, or new techniques on handling or behavioural management - it's always really varied and interesting. In addition to this I have qualifications in canine body language, nutrition, first aid, and also in Pool Plant operating. I've recently decided to further my training with Animal physiotherapy and Canine massage, and we hope to add this to our services in the next couple of years."

  
  

How do you assess a dog's suitability for hydrotherapy?

• "Owners contact us if they feel their dog's may benefit from hydrotherapy, and we write to their registered vets on their behalf. Generally hydrotherapy can support muscle growth, and reduces stiffness in joints, so works brilliantly post-surgery/post-injury or for long-term conditions like elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia or arthritis. It isn't able to correct gait, or movements, so for these cases we tend to recommend a physiotherapist or a canine conditioning coach. Nonetheless, it is always the vets that decide if the dog is a suitable candidate for hydrotherapy, and we aren't able to take on any new dogs without the vets sign off."

Can you describe the specific techniques you use during a hydrotherapy session?

• "The majority of our dogs complete swims of some kind, we vary these according to what area of the body needs work - for example dog's requiring conditioning on their forelegs you want to include a lot of turns in the water to work extensions and rotations through the elbows and shoulders, whereas when working the hind legs you need straight periods of swimming or static swimming to keep the hips in line with the body and just focus on the extensions/kicks from the back legs. The therapist often completes manual manipulations to increase the dog's range of movement during swimming, or completes stretches and massage between swim sets."

What are some common misconceptions about hydrotherapy for dogs?

• "I think there are two big ones; often people dismiss hydrotherapy as their dog 'walks around puddles' but you'd be surprised how many owners have then been shocked when their dog is running into the centre and chasing a toy around the pool within a few weeks - often they just need to be introduced in a calm and safe environment. Then I think the second big misconception is it is just for poorly, old or injured dogs, when actually we run just as many fun & fitness or conditioning sessions - it really is suitable for any dog - any age, ability or condition."

  
  

What challenges do you face when working with dogs that are fearful of water or have had negative experiences in the past?

• "We always take things really slowly with dogs that are fearful or owners have disclosed a negative experience, however the majority of the time the pool environment is so different to anything they've experienced before that they don't associate the two. We have a gradual ramp into the pool so it is just encouraging the dog to put one foot in front of the other, and when they first take their feet off the floor to swim making sure there is plenty of encouragement and rewards. Most dog's complete a few swims and then really settle into it.