Our Centre provides physical rehabilitation treatment programs for Canines following surgery or injury. Please check out our online store.
Veterinary Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, K9 Swimming Pool, Underwater Treadmill, Post-Surgical Boarding, Respite care for dogs with special needs, Dog wheelchairs and mobility aids Our facility includes Canine Hydrotherapy & Physiotherapy, a full Fitness / Show Conditioning program for show dogs, Soft Tissue / Bowen therapy, , a boarding in-patient facility for dogs and a 12 meter indoor heated d
og pool. We also make a wide range of mobility aids for mobility impaired pets and Aussie Dog Wheelchairs (dog carts) for disabled pets. We are the proud manufacturers of the only Australian made Pet Wheelchair. Our products are shipped world wide. All pets that feature on our page are with permission from their owners.
20/12/2024
Dogs Victoria advises that if anyone needs to take refuge due to the ‘leave immediately bushfire evacuation warning’ that has been issued to Bullengarook, Gisbourne, Lerderderg & Macedon areas and the ‘take shelter now warning’ issued to St Helier, The Gurdies, Loch & Woodleigh areas - they can do so at either Bulla Exhibition Centre (5 Uniting Lane Bulla) or KCC Park (655 Westernport Hwy Skye) which will be open & available during this time. (Please contact 0428 998 715 to obtain access to Bulla venue)
19/12/2024
As 2024 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to personally thank you for your ongoing support and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.
We have seen a couple team changes this year with the addition of our amazing new Veterinary Physiotherpist Heather, and new to our hydrotherapy team is Angela.
We are also very excited to welcome Equine physiotherapy clients in 2025, which can now be treated from our property in Somerville. This includes Integrated Horse and Rider Biomechanical Assessments which is very exciting! More information can be found on our website coming shortly.
Finally, as the year wraps up, we know some of you are experiencing your “firsts” without your beloved K9’s. Please know, that we are thinking of you this Christmas. Its never easy, and grief I’ve learned, is really just love with no place to go.
We hope you all find time to unwind, recharge, and enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends.
See you all in 2025.
The Team @ Aquapaws
(Photo of my dog Lani for tax)
19/12/2024
16/12/2024
Dog really are incredible. Their nose is so powerful! Did you know that dogs have a larger part of their brain dedicated to odors, with 33% compared to 5% in human.
15/12/2024
With temperatures around Melbourne tomorrow expected in the 40's, here is a timely reminder.
HEAT STROKE IN DOGS - Dead in Minutes
Even very fit, athletic dogs can suffer heat-related illnesses during the sizzling days of summer, and with the temperature topping 38c today, this is a timely reminder for you.
Dogs have a higher body temperature than people and they don't cool down as efficiently as we do. Your canine buddy is designed more for insulation from the cold than for cooling down.
You have sweat glands all over your body, but your dog's sweat glands are confined to his nose and the pads of his feet. A dog that is heating up can only normalize his body temperature through panting, which just doesn't get the job done under extreme conditions.
In a very short period of time, an overheated dog can suffer critical damage to their brain, heart, liver and nervous system.
Dogs at Higher Risk
If your dog is one of the following, you'll need to be extra vigilant about keeping him or her safe from heat-related illness:
Dogs with flat faces and short noses, also known as brachycephalic, like Pugs, Boston Terriers, Pekinese, Boxers, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus – these breeds don't pant as efficiently as breeds with longer noses
Older dogs
Puppies
Sick dogs and those with chronic health conditions like heart disease
Any healthy dog left outside in hot weather
Dogs that are over-exercised or are allowed to overexert themselves in the heat.
Overweight dogs
Here are some common sense strategies to protect your dog during a heat wave:
Keep him inside during the hottest part of the day if possible
Scale back vigorous outdoor exercise and remember the temperature on concrete foot paths and roads. Only a 25 degree day can make path and road surface temperatures 52 degrees. It will burn your dogs feet! My own rule is - if I can't walk barefoot on it, neither can my dog.
Never leave your dog in a parked car on a hot day, not even for a minute
Always provide clean water and shade for your dog
Shell pools in the shade are good if your dog likes water and they have to be left outside
The following poster is a quick reference for Heat Stroke in dogs. Please feel free to share.
And don't forget if your dog has had recent surgery and is shaved, they are very susceptible to sun burn!
Take care everyone!
13/12/2024
Sweet angel faced Bailey is here having physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to rebuild her muscle to help keep her mobile as she ages. The decline of skeletal muscle tissue with age, is one of the most important causes of functional decline and loss of independence in older dogs.
Bailey is an assistance dog. She was a school story dog and helped challenging children focus on their reading. She then found cancer in her human, and then had cancer herself. Both are now well once again. Bailey now works in aged care facilities bringing joy to everyone she meets. Every dog has their own special story. This is Baileys...
11/12/2024
09/12/2024
Beautiful Tilly unfortunately has ruptured both her cruciate ligaments. She had surgery 8 weeks ago for her left leg and has just had surgery to her right. She is such a trouper. See you soon Tilly!
28/11/2024
The moment when one of your spinal patients walks on their own! Its not often we have the privilege to witness their first steps but Luka saved the excitement for us all and did it here at Aquapaws. Luka had surgery to his spine in April this year and his owner makes a 3 hour round trip to Aquapaws twice a week. His progress has been slow as he is a 40kg+ dog. He has a tailored physio exercise plan that his owner can do by herself as she is on her own, regular physio reviews with Vet Physio Heather and lots and lots of hydrotherapy with Jo which includes the underwater treadmill and swimming in our pool. Come on Luka, you’ve got this!! You are nearly there buddy...
21/11/2024
Sweet Ocea will be 17 this coming January! She is a member of our Active Aging Fitness for Senior K9s. She sees Heather our Veterinary Physiotherapist for regular physio, dry needling and cold laser therapy to keep her supple and to help minimize pain from her arthritis, and goes swimming with her dedicated human to help keep her strong. She is just amazing and I think the oldest doggo we have here at Aquapaws! Keep up the great work Ocea
18/11/2024
Crackers is our teeniest patient at the moment. Weight in at 2.2kgs. He is having physiotherapy and hydrotherapy post femoral head ostectomy which restores mobility to the hip by removing the head of the femur. He is a little camp and doing super well.
15/11/2024
Lasering all my sore parts yesterday at
Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre. It makes such a big difference! I’ve been keeping everyone in line at home this morning because I am feeling gooooood!
11/11/2024
Happy 15th birthday LokLok! He is a cancer survivor and still very mobile. He has swum once a week for his whole life. I might add he swims for an hour!!! You are amazing! ❤
31/10/2024
We have no power today sadly, so cannot take your calls. Please press 1 on the answering service to leave a message and we will call you when the power is back on. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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Videos
The moment when one of your spinal patients walks on their own! Its not often we have the privilege to witness their first steps but Luka saved the excitement for us all and did it here at Aquapaws. Luka had surgery to his spine in April this year and his owner makes a 3 hour round trip to Aquapaws twice a week. His progress has been slow as he is a 40kg+ dog. He has a tailored physio exercise plan that his owner can do by herself as she is on her own, regular physio reviews with Vet Physio Heather and lots and lots of hydrotherapy with Jo which includes the underwater treadmill and swimming in our pool. Come on Luka, you’ve got this!! You are nearly there buddy...
As some of you know, Aquapaws is now part of the @rspca_vic enrichment program for shelter dogs. We are super proud of that! Prince came in today to learn how to swim and boy did he love it! What a superstar!
He has been in care for 125 days and is available for adoption. Lets find him a beach loving home for Christmas!! Please follow the link in the comments to find out more about Prince! #adoptadog #staffylove #dogswimming
All the way from Adelaide is the gorgeous Dish. Dish is competing in the Dock Diving competition this weekend at the Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival. Wishing everyone who is attending a great time!
Wally and Pickle are regulars here at Aquapaws. They have so much fun, when Pickle gets tired, he just helps Wally taking the toy out of the pool 😄#dogswimming #dachshund #caninerehab
16 year old Fifi is one of our more senior clients. She is a member of our Active Aging Fitness programs for senior K9's. She has regular hydrotherapy, massage and physio check ups to maintain her mobility and keep her strong. She is still incredibly active for her age. #caninehydrotherapy #caninephysiotherapy #labradoodle #caninerehab #caninemassage
Homework is a big part of a rehab program. What a great set up Sophie has! We love seeing home videos...
Gorgeous Tidda was sent here from one of our local vet teams from Westernport Veterinary Clinics for the treatment of Patella Tendonitis.
The patellar tendon is the tissue that holds the patella, or kneecap, in place, and it attaches to the tibia. When this tendon becomes inflamed, the condition is referred to as patellar tendonitis.
This can be a result of trauma but is often caused by overuse of the knee. Repetitive, high-impact activities such as jumping can irritate and cause inflammation of the tendon.
It can be managed medically with rest and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories prescribed by your vet. Physiotherapy can also be helpful. The use of cold laser can help reduce inflammation and promote healing, while exercises such as walking in an underwater treadmill can help strengthen the surrounding muscles.
Tidda is expected to make a full recovery and is doing super well!
Lupe is a 9 year old Rottweiler who has osteo arthritis in both hips and elbows. In the past he has had severe lameness even after a 5 minute walk. Life for Lupe wasn't that good. Lupe has received Shock Wave therapy to help with his pain and now is having hydrotherapy to rebuild his muscle. #rottweiler #caninehydrotherapy
We love testimonials! Beautiful Sakima living his best life. Happy trails Sakima ❤
"Hi Jo, this is Sakima loving his wheels and saying a big thank you. Out of his wheels he has no back end function at all, but in his chair he still uses his legs. So awesome for him and big gratitude to you. Love from us all Kiki, Sakima and Miakoda." #dogwheelchair #degenerativemyelopathy #germanshepherd
Aquapaws Canine Rebabilitation & Fitness Centre is dedicated to the conditioning and rehabilitation of our canine companions. From humble beginnings in 2004, Aquapaws has grown to include a variety of alternative therapies for animals, including physiotherapy, Bowen and soft tissue therapy, veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic services. Alongside Jo, who is internationally qualified in canine rehabilitation and hydrotherapy, are physiotherapists Michelle Monk and Sarah Sojak, Massage and soft tissue / Bowen therapist Christian Langeder and Veterinary Acupuncturist Dr Katrina Gregory.
The extensive range of services includes a 12m heated indoor canine swimming pool, an underwater treadmill, show dog conditioning programs, Active Aging fitness programs for our senior pooches, boarding for dogs with special needs - even a Fido Fitness Club, where pudgy pooches can rediscover their waistlines.
All dogs are welcome to use the pool just for fun and fitness as well.
Aquapaws also manufactures dog wheelchairs and mobility aids such as lifting harnesses, leg braces and boots. Aquapaws is the only Australian manufacturer of pet wheelchairs and has been since 2008. Our products are shipped all over the world. Please check out our online store for some great all Australian made products. www.aquapaws.com.au
