Avonside Canine Hydrotherapy, Stratford-on-Avon

12/01/2025

We are fully NARCH (National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists) registered.

Unfortunately Hydrotherapy is an unregulated industry meaning anyone can open and run a pool.

It is REALY important when your looking for a hydrotherapy pool to swim your dog to make sure they are registered with one of the governing bodies NARCH, CHA or IVAMP.

This ensures:
Everyone treating your dog is qualified to a minimum standard.
*They are fully insured.
*Centres are designed and run in accordance with their regulations.
*All chemical and bacteria testing is regularly carried out and are within acceptable parameters.
*A minimum amount of CPD is completed
*Correct equipment is used at all times
*They have an up to date animal first aid qualification
*vet permission to swim forms are completed before dogs are swim
*And more…(see governing bodies websites for more details)

If you are unsure CAM (canine arthritis management)has utube videos and fact sheets giving details about what you should look for when taking your dog swimming.

🌟Being NARCH registered means you can claim back the cost of some of your sessions (depending on individual policy and condition)
Through your pet insurance🌟

While most dogs will swim some will find the experience scary or will initially not be strong enough to swim “properly” creating splashing and panic. A register and qualified hydrotherapist will have the knowledge to make your dogs experience safe and reassure them.

Swimming is great for all dogs, for fun, fitness and rehab but it is important that it is carried out in a safe manor as injurys can easily happen or be made worse or dogs can easily be overswum. It is important that for the safety and health of your dog to ensure they are taken to a hydro centre that has the knowledge and skills to get the best out of your dogs hydrotherapy experience.

For more info please get in touch
[email protected]
07974748961 🐾🐾

07/01/2025

Hi everyone,
Please check your routes today if you’re comming to us, at the moment (8.30) Welford bridge is closed, not sure about Bidford bridge, Barton Road closed and a46 off long bridge still not open, drive safe 🐾🐾

29/12/2024

❤️❤️❤️❤️

24/12/2024

🎄Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!🎄
Thank you to everyone for your continued support this year and kind Christmas presents 😀 I look forward to another successful year in 2025. Big hugs to all your fur baby’s ❤️❤️ Have a nice holiday everyone ###

17/12/2024

**AG physio are getting in the Christmas spirt, Arfs been helping 🐶🎅🎄**

Some conditions are not best suited for the swimming pool Avonside Hydrotherapy works closely with local animal therapists to make sure your pet is getting the best most suitable treatment.

Arf has been going to AG physio to use their treadmil for the last two years as he is a lazy toad and won’t use his back legs properly in the pool, the treadmil helps strengthen his hind legs. It’s also great to have physio advice on his condition and advice on excercises that can help him.

Thanks guys 💙🐾💙

16/12/2024

**New cancelation policy**

Please note due to limited availability, any no shows or cancellations I cannot fill will be charged £20 from Monday 23rd Dec - Sat 4th Jan

2025 Cancelation policy - there will be a 50% session charge for any sessions cancelled/ no shows or changed unless I can fill the slot REGARDLESS of notice period.

* I am a small business and I try and charge minimum amount so everyone can afford to treat their dogs I CANNOT afford empty sessions*
**please message me if your dog is not well and I may not charge**

Thank you all for your understanding,

Debbie 🐾🐾

27/11/2024

🌟 I know is a busy time of you but please CHECK YOUR APPOINTMENTS!!🌟

I’ve had 3 no shows already this week 😞
That’s really unusual but as a small business trying to keep costs and waiting times down I can’t afford this!

If there is a problem with your dog and you can’t make the appointment please just let me know 🐾🐾

25/11/2024

**Meeka**
Beautiful Meeka is comming swimming to help strengthen her back legs, as she’s got older she’s become unsteady and reduced muscle. A combination of possible neuro degeneration and arthritis, she is under specialist care to ensure she has correct pain relief as she is sensitive to certain drugs.
Swimming helps with pain relief as the warm water and water pressure help with reducing inflammation, swimming helps maintain and strengthen all her muscles partially her hind limbs and the excercise helps keep her fit and maintains cardio strength as she has slowed down and reduced her walks.
She also has red light laser therapy after her swim, this can help with neuro degeneration and pain management (she has a mat to lie on but chooses to only lie on half if it every time 🤣💙🤣) 🐾🐾

19/11/2024

**Charlie**
Little Charlie is a super dooper agility dog. He regally comes swimming to help with his fitness and core strengthening.
Swimming is great even for fit dogs, it strengthens joints, increases muscles and works the whole body. It is especially good for core and back strengthening and the balance exercises we can do in the rest periods help increase body strength. It’s also a great cardio workout.
Give Debbie a text, WhatsApp or call (signal can be bad) for more info on 07974748961 🐾🐾

09/11/2024

Over 16 million animals served in the First World War.
They were used for transport, communication and companionship.
In 1914, both sides had large cavalry forces. Horse and camel-mounted troops were used in the desert campaigns throughout the war, but on the Western Front, new weapons like the machine gun made cavalry charges increasingly difficult.
However, animals remained a crucial part of the war effort.
Horses, donkeys, mules and camels carried food, water, ammunition and medical supplies to men at the front, and dogs and pigeons carried messages.
Canaries were used to detect poisonous gas, and cats and dogs were trained to hunt rats in the trenches.
Animals were not only used for work. Dogs, cats, and more unusual animals including monkeys, bears and lions, were kept as pets and mascots to raise morale and provide comfort amidst the hardships of war.🌟🌟

04/11/2024

WHY BRING YOUR DOG SWIMMING?
Hydrotherapy is a fantastic all round therapy for your dog.
Non weight bearing it is great for building up young or injured joints.
The heat of the pool and pressure of the water helps sooth painful joints and reduce inflammation.
Hydrotherapy not just splashing in water it’s about controlled swimming targeting specific areas but working the entire body.
At Avonside the resting period between sets of swims is as important as the swimming itself. We do aquatic massage which helps with blood flow around the body and reduces inflammation as well as balance work to engage core and epaxial muscles helping overall strength and posture.

But my dog doesn’t like water?....because all swimming is close contact with the hydrotherapist even dogs normally scared by water soon relax into the therapy.

Who have we had in today?....
Gypsy-German Shepard- hip dysplasia
Ozzie-mixed breed-joint issues associated with leishmaniasis
Snoop-Jack Russel- OAP general maintenance
Charlie- puppy confidence swimming and joint strengthening
Anouska-husky- Spinal issues, hind limb strengthening and OAP maintenance
Rosie-bichon poo- post Cruciate surgery
Lexi-spaniel- maintenance swims filling spinal issues
Ollie- Labrador- OAP and muscle building
Alfie- Stafford - OAP maintenance
Nelson-Jack Russel- arthritis and Cruciate maintenance
Rubble-Newfoundland- young dog muscle building and Cruciate strengthening.

Hydrotherapy is suitable for many conditions and for all types of breeds. Vet permission is required before any dog is swim.

If you would like any more info give Debbie a text or WhatsApp on 07974748961 (signal
Is bad at the centre so messaging is better:-) or [email protected]

15/10/2024

14/10/2024

Medications are not bad!

NSAIDs are frequently used to manage your dog's condition and can offer a dramatic improvement in mobility and quality of life.

There are many licensed drugs available that come in different formulations and are given in different ways. Generally they are very well tolerated.

07/10/2024

Hi everyone 😀😀
The mop is in Stratford this Friday and Saturday traffic around Stratford is going to be mad!! Please give pleanty of time to get to you appointments 😬 thank you 💙🐾💙

16/09/2024

Major road works down Birmingham Road in Stratford for next few months please check your route to the hydro centre Stratford will be busy 🐾🐾

12/09/2024

When Holly was first diagnosed with arthritis, Hannah was early on in her chronic pain passion journey (even as a Vet). She admits that she was floored by the huge array of interventions that were suggested and available - it was a minefield.

Every dog and every owner is different, so it's impossible for us to make suggestions on treatment plans.

"I really would like people to take inspiration from our journey and not attempt to copy our interventions but work with their vet team to provide a care plan tailored to them" - Hannah Capon

We can tell you that the multimodal approach is the best, and objective monitoring of any treatment is essential to assess its effectiveness.

02/09/2024

Focusing on pain management is essential. By treating pain itself, we can significantly improve a patient's quality of life, even when the root cause remains unresolved.

The goal is to reduce suffering and provide comfort, acknowledging that relief can be just as important as curing the underlying condition.