Warm Water Therapy... What Is It?

What we do...

Do you sell pools? My dog doesn’t like water! Why would I swim my dog in a pool? hese are the kinds of questions and comments that our business, SwimSpaw, generate!  Well, what do we do? We bring dogs into our pool, perform massage in the water on them, and guide them in gentle swimming. Water exercise allows the muscles to work and the joints to move without the stress of pounding on the ground.  The temperature of the water softens the muscles, increases circulation to the muscles, and allows the joints to move more easily. The water also allows the assistant to massage the dog’s muscles more effectively since the water itself acts as a natural lubricant and the muscles are more pliable.  

While swimming, the water provides more resistance to movement than air.  This means that the body works a bit harder to perform the same motion in water than in air.  Swimming can increase muscle mass and strength more rapidly than exercising the dog on the ground.
In addition, massage and moving in the warm water shorten the amount of time for recovery for the dog after orthopedic surgery.  Circulation is increased to the area impacted by the surgery and muscle mass around the area can be improved providing needed muscle support to the affected joints.

Of course, swimming can be used as a cross training activity for athletic dogs, just as it is for human athletes.  For dogs that participate in agility, fly ball, disc, or working dogs, swimming can increase their cardio/respiratory fitness, improve their muscle length, and allow for very safe stretching.  Since it improves their fitness level, it can help them avoid injury and improve their performance.

Each swim session is customized for the individual dog.  Each dog’s needs and condition are different.  In general, we begin the session with calming massage, palpation of the dog’s body, and often range of motion exercises in the water.   If the dog relaxes, we will start an “in-place” swim, supporting the dog under her body and on top of her body.    We hold the dog throughout the whole first session --  our goals are to build trust in us with the dog and we do not want the dog to be afraid or to worry that we might just let her swim for survival.   We alternate these in-place swims with periods of rest and massage. 

Eventually, with most dogs, our goal is to allow them to “free swim” around the pool, often inspired by one of the several floating toys that we have available. 

We work closely with the owner’s veterinarian and coordinate with the specialists who perform the surgeries.  Reports are provided to both the owner and the veterinarians, keeping all appraised of our plan and the progress of the animal in the pool.

Conditions that benefit … 

Dogs with arthritis: especially dogs that have enjoyed cold water swimming in their younger lives, but cannot deal with the temperature in our lakes or in the sound.  This therapy is especially beneficial for our geriatric canine friends.

Dogs before and after orthopedic surgery:  we swim dogs after knee, hip, and elbow surgeries.  Swimming the dog before the surgery, where possible, allows the dog to avoid the initial stress of pool introduction after surgery and helps to condition the muscles before surgery.

Dogs after spinal surgery:  dogs that have experienced disk issues and have undergone surgery often have difficulty with limb activity and coordination.  These dogs do very well in a swim program.

Dogs with muscles or tendon injuries:  with massage and the stretching facilitated in the warm water, muscles can heal more quickly.

Dogs with muscle atrophy:  the increased load placed on the muscles in the water allow for building the mass and strength back into the muscles.

Dogs with neurological conditions:  we can stimulate the nervous system during massage and swim and help that system return to normal functioning.  We have platforms in the pool that the dog can walk on to provide additional neurological stimulation.

About the pool…

Our pool is a human fitness pool.  It is 17 feet long and 7 feet wide with a depth of 4 feet.  We keep it heated to about 91 degrees.  Sanitation is provided by a chlorine generator:  table salt is placed in the pool and the generator basically breaks apart the sodium and chlorine to sanitize the water. We have two pumps that provide dual current streams to increase resistance if needed. Hair in the pool? Yes!!! We have a great filter and some tricks of the trade to control the hair. Our pool is above ground and surrounded by a deck.  The pool is enclosed in a building; in fact, within two horse stalls in a barn that was insulated and modified for the pool.  Windows bring in a breeze during the summer and the area is heated in the winter.  We are in a lovely pastoral location that helps the dog and the owner to relax.

If you are interested in a tour or simply visiting our facility, please feel free to call us and set up an appointment.  We are open seven days per week for appointments, but are at the pool only during appointments.  Please call if you have any questions or visit our web site at www.swimspaw.com.   

SwimSpaw
1991 Sawdust Hill Road, Poulsbo, WA  98370
(306) 536-2514
Janice@swimspaw.com