Hydrotherapy is a Greek word which means water healing, it has been known for a very long time that swimming is one of the best forms of exercise using every muscle in the anatomy.

As a weightless bearing exercise it encourages full extension of the limbs and the heated water helps to reduces pressure on painful joints and aching muscles. Depending on the condition of the dog they may damage them self more by exercising on hard surfaces, for instance when they run the concussion of the hard surface vibrates up the leg where joints may be swollen and sore.

It is also an excellent way for general fitness and weight loss. The cardiovascular system, specifically the lungs and the heart, are exercised more when in the water, the weight of the water exerts pressure and squeezes inwards making breathing in more difficult (making the lungs work doubly hard). Due to more movements done by the body, the heart then also pumps faster because it has to meet the nutrient demands of all the muscles that are being worked. A five minute swim for a dog is roughly equivalent to a five mile run (without the dangers of sudden stops and falls).

Some people say ‘why not take them to your nearest lake to save money?’ but this may end up causing more discomfort, due to the many hazards such as poisonous algae, injury from slipping down muddy banks or the danger of them getting out of there depth. Also the cold water can reduce blood circulation, where as in a controlled environment the warm water of the heated pool combined with the jets has a massaging effect which promotes circulation and helps to reduce swelling.