September 23, 2008

Aching pooches are finding relief in the healing waters of Hip Dog, a hydrotherapy center in Florida. (Pet Pulse Photo by Kris O'Donnell, Design by Mike Lloyd)

ORLANDO, Fla. -– Surgery, arthritis and age can all take a toll on a dog's physical and mental well-being.

But a Florida organization is helping dogs swim their way back to good health, and onto their own paws.

Eight-year-old Otis can glide through the water with ease while under the care of his therapist, Cheryl Ann Blay-Marquez, and his mom, Linda.

But once on land, things get a little tougher.

Otis has only three legs.

So sessions at the Hip Dog Canine Aquatic Rehabilitation and Fitness Center in Orlando are critical, Otis' owner, Linda Brant, says.

"It allows him to stretch his legs and get exercise without bearing weight on all three," Brant said. "It’s hard on the joints when you have only three legs."

Otis lost his leg nearly two years ago after a battle with bone cancer. Now disease free, Otis visits Hip Dog once a week for therapy sessions, which are capped off with a massage.

The water in the swimming tank creates resistance but also buoyancy, easing pressure on dogs' joints and muscles.

"It’s a wonderful outing," Brant said. "When he gets home he’s sleepy, restful. The next day he always has more energy, so it’s helped him in a million different ways."

Otis is one of more than 50 dogs who make regular visits to the center. A visit lasts a half-hour and costs about $30.

The non-profit organization has been up and swimming for seven years and was the first of its kind, Blay-Marquez says.

"Hip dog is on the forefront of what’s coming," she said. "There are three or four different facilities in Florida becoming established so it was ahead of its time."

The head of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association says hydrotherapy appears to be an effective method and is being used increasingly across the country.

The Association of Canine Water Therapy has more than 30 member pools in 12 states across the nation. The state of Washington leads the way with nearly 20 hydrotherapy centers registered with ACWT.

Practitioners say the benefits are numerous and that the warm waters can help alleviate a host of conditions.

"We treat anything from osteoporosis, any kind of bone, joint, post surgical and pre-surgical, whatever that may be, to losing weight to getting their heart stronger," Blay-Marquez said.

Senior dogs can also benefit from regular doggy-paddling sessions.

"We have clients who are 15, 16-years-old that are carried in here," Blay-Marquez said. "Once their jacket [life preserver] is on, they’re independent to swim around the pool. You can’t buy that level of freedom."

The dogs also get much more out of their therapy sessions when their "parents" actually get in the water with them.

"When the parent is in the pool relaxed and I’m talking to the parents and they’re calming down, the dog is feeding off that energy and saying this is a time to relax, this is a positive thing," Blay-Marquez said.

Hip Dog has transformed Otis' life, Brant says.

"I think it’s something he likes to do, that relaxes him and it’s good for his mind and his body," Brant said.

Dogs aren't the only animals that can benefit from hydrotherapy.

Hip Dog accepts other pets and has even had a few rabbits don life jackets and go for a swim. As far as cats go, however, Hip Dog says it's still waiting for its first feline client.

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