Watch the video above: Hydrotherapy puts spring back in pups’ steps
SASKATOON – Walking a dog in the winter is less than desirable, but when a pet owners’ four-legged counterparts are injured, rehabilitation is often essential.
Saskatoon Waterpaws canine aquatic centre helps dogs gain strength and health via indoor swimming.
Nirumik, a 15-month-old Miniature American Eskimo, had been going to the pool for four months.
“A couple years ago he went down a set of stairs and tore his leg out of his hip joint, and they did surgery on him,” said Nirumik’s owner Linda Kotlar.
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“They just said that if they got the muscle strong enough, that would keep the leg going.”
Unfortunately the pup couldn’t keep up his strength and Kotlar was turned onto Waterpaws.
“When he first came, he wasn’t very stable on his feet and was falling over all the time, and now he can run and hop around and do his thing,” said canine hydrotherapist Danielle Lilwall.
More than 50 dogs come to the aquatic centre every week.
“We see lots of progress. All the dogs that come in here, they pretty much do a 180,” said canine hydrotherapist Steven Dent.
Dent said the sessions can result in lower veterinarian bills.
“There’s some dogs that come in and they have torn ligaments, and vets say they need surgery, but after a couple months of swimming, they don’t need surgery,” said Dent.
The centre is open seven days a week by appointment.
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