Today I just want to share this message I received last week!
Little 12 year old Gracie, living her best life running around with her family!
“From not wanting to walking at all, to now running/walking for around 40 minutes!! We are so pleased with how well she has come on from swimming the past few months. Thank you xx”
I ADORE this little lady, her visits on sausage Sunday, and then throughout the months are always an absolute pleasure to do! I’m so glad everyone is seeing the benefits of swimming for her!!
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Gorgeous Grace initially became a Puddleduck through the Sausage Sunday events - her mum and dad just wanted to see if she could swim at first, but soon saw the benefits of this little lady being in the warm pool!
Gracie is almost 13 years young, and seemed to be slowing down a bit, and stiffening up - following her 15 minute dip in November, her mum decided that she would try Gracie with a longer swim, to see if any changes in her general health and wellbeing could be made from spending more time in the warmth, stretching those little legs.
I’m delighted to say that everyone has seen a difference - Gracie isn’t as reluctant to walk further than a few steps (although we’re not sure if this is age related, or stubbornness related!), and, according to mum and dad, she’s trotting to the front door at times these days!
Gracie’s sessions are for fitness purposes, and we use treats and cuddles as her primary motivators - they’re always an absolute pleasure to do, both when she’s with me for the long session, and when she comes to Sausage Sunday!
Here’s hoping we keep her strong and supple for as long as possible!
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Meet the gorgeous Rolo!
Rolo became a member of our Puddleducks family in January, following a diagnosis of elbow arthritis!
As people are aware, arthritis is a nasty little condition that affects the mobility through joints - it’s usually found in older boys and girls, but can affect younger ones too.
When he first came to visit me, Rolo had a very noticeable limp on his front legs- and he wasn’t at all sure about this whole swimming lark (at least not in a nice warm swimming pool anyway!). We worked quietly together for a couple of weeks before he realised that if he has an emotional support toy to swim with, he’s much happier and we can help those legs to feel a bit of relief!
Rolo is now 4 weeks into his first 6 week block of hydrotherapy swims, and is moving a little better on those legs - his owners say they notice an improvement in the way he walks, and are happy with the results - so much so there is talk of him continuing with his sessions after this block (I’m not sure if Rolo knows that yet!!)
Hydrotherapy is amazingly beneficial for dogs with arthritis - delivering pain relief, anti-inflammation, and a good, non-weight bearing workout to each dog that comes in! Added to that, we work to build the muscle mass and strength around the joint to keep our furry friends going for as long as possible!
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Paws up if you recognise the gorgeous Hugo??
Hugo was the first exempted boy brought to me following surgery. Hugo needed hydrotherapy right at the time that the (ridiculous) ban was enforced - for various reasons, his mum and dad were struggling to find someone brave enough to take this man eating beast on, and Puddleducks became the first place to welcome them with open arms!
A year ago we started working together to get his legs sorted out, strengthen those muscles, and get him back to full strength! He’s worked so hard over the last 12 months, and regained everything he lost during his post-operative rest period!
In fact, he’s done so well, we’ve recently discharged him from his hydrotherapy swims, and he’s now visiting me for fitness and fun sessions instead!
All in all, a happy therapist, happy owner, and happy doggy!!
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Happy November everyone!
Three things to say about this month!
First, it’s Senior Dog Month, and everyone knows how much I love my senior dogs! For this month, any dog over the age of 8 is welcomed for two swims at the price of £20 per swim!
Swimming can be so good for our oldies, especially when the weather starts getting cold - a nice swim in a warm pool? Just what the doctor ordered to keep those muscles moving and the joints in check!
Next, having had the pleasure of meeting a whole army of sausage dogs last month, I’m super excited to launch “Sausage Sunday”! On the third Sunday of each month, I’m opening the door to dachshunds to come and have a quick dip in the pool! The swim is only 15 minutes long, and costs £5 per dog.
As always, only one dog at a time can be in the water, and these sessions are only for fun purposes! If your sausage needs fitness swims for weight loss, or hydrotherapy for anything mobility related, please get in touch and we can arrange a longer session!
Finally, keep an eye out for information relating to Christmas!
Have a great month everyone! See you all soon!
Gorgeous Goose began his swimming journey with me three weeks ago!
We fitted him with a life jacket for the initial part of the session, and even then, Goose was not a happy boy!
The first 15 minutes or so, Goose panicked, and thrashed around, soaking everything he could reach!
We worked with him, using our signature patient and gentle methods, and towards the end, Goose found his confidence, calmed down, and took off - like a Goose on the pond!!! (😬😬😬)
He’s been back since, and is swimming more than one length at a time - calmly and with minimal splashing! (CHEESE IS LIFE!!)
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Some people might remember the gorgeous Nova, one of my gorgeous XL friends.
Nova began coming to Puddleducks after the ban kicked in, and after a few not so successful attempts to swim in other places!
Within her first session, we had her in the water and swimming - not very delicately, but swimming nonetheless! Her owner was delighted with that, and decided to keep visiting to build her confidence up!
After a few months of not coming (Nova and her mum live quite a distance away, so have to travel by train to reach me), here is Nova’s latest session - out of her life jacket, and chasing her ball as though she’s been doing this all her life!
I’m so proud of this gorgeous girl - she uses public transport to get to and from the pool, and overcomes a different fear each time!
I love seeing my XL friends, and this girl is no exception!
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I’m going to start a sausage dog club I think!!
The latest member of the Puddleducks family, Wilfy, started with me last week for swimming lessons!
Wilfy’s mum decided to see how he got on with swimming, to help him with anxiety both around water, and in general.
Being a nervous boy, both mum and grandma came along to cheer him on, however, chose to leave and get a coffee while enjoyed a nice swim in our warm pool!
Within 20 minutes, we’d calmed down, and Wilfy swam along like a duck from Stanley Park! He was even giving kisses during our rest breaks!
Since we now know that he doesn’t panic in water, or when he’s left with me, is going to come back fairly regularly, to fit in with his mum’s shift pattern - and they enjoy our NHS discount to make things even better!!
I’m sure he’ll be out of his life jacket and swimming in a harness in no time!!
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If ever I needed concrete proof that our swimming lessons can help even the most frightened dogs - this is it!!
Gorgeous Dorrie is a rescue girl, who came to me completely terrified of even getting her toes wet! Dorrie had been working with my friends at KRRs Training - part of KRRs Canines to overcome other fears and traumas, but it was over to me for the wet stuff!
We worked incredibly hard with Dorrie, letting her take her own time to get used to things, and gradually, she became comfortable swimming in her harness instead of a life jacket.
On Sunday, her amazing owner sent me this video! From severe hydrophobia, to this!! I’m so proud of this little girl!!
I have to say thank you to her owner for trusting me, the process and not giving up on her! I think this might just be our biggest ever swimming lesson success story!!
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Everyone meet Finn!
Finn and his brother, Lionel, enjoy racing in their spare time, so are already very active boys in their day to day lives.
Since earlier this year, however, the boys had a few months off, and their owners decided that they might benefit from some fitness swimming to help them get back into peek racing condition before the season started!
Both boys have been regular visitors to Puddleducks, and m, I think I’m safe to say, the swimming has definitely helped with their other activities - as the season has been starting, they have been getting better and better during their races, and I hope I hear of them both winning within the next few weeks!
Another beautiful spaniel girlie today (I think I should start a spaniels club!!)
Gorgeous Poppy came to Puddleducks initially for a hydrotherapy swim to see if we could help with a slight limp on one of her front legs - it’s not a regular thing, but every so often, poor Poppy gets a bit stiff when she’s been sleeping after a good old run!
As there is nothing diagnosed as being joint related, and its not a constant issue for her, we decided that Poppy would benefit from fitness swims - all the perks of being in the water and swimming, but no need for someone to be encouraging her legs to move normally, or helping to stretch out her leg to full capacity!
Poppy came for her first fitness session last week - and I THINK she even enjoyed it towards the end! We’re currently working on a monthly swim, just to keep her in check, but we evaluate this all the time, and she can always increase her visits if needs be!
This is the most beautiful Sprollie I have ever met - Suki!!
Suki is a gorgeous older lady (from Canada no less!!) who has started to struggle with arthritis in her twilight years! Her owners noticed her stiffening up, and decided that hydrotherapy would be worth a try!
Suki’s condition affects one of her front legs, and the opposite hind leg - which is quite common to see!
Since her treatment started, Suki has also started to have Librela injections; which are also helping her to feel more comfortable - her owners have noticed a big improvement in her overall mobility, and she’s also losing some weight!
Happy Days all round!!!
Canine Hydrotherapy, fun and fitness, swimming lessons for the nervous dog, all provided by Beth, qualified small animal hydrotherapist, level 3 diploma.
