OUR
SERVICES
HYDROTHERAPY
Hydrotherapy is a form of physiotherapy carried out in water.
The properties of water offer an environment in which your dog can exercise muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons without feeling the shocks they would when walking on land.
The resistance created by moving through water works muscles much harder, whilst the buoyancy creates a greater range of movement in the limb.
Both help to increase lost muscle tone, which will help to support the affected joint(s) and make your dog much stronger and happier.
Hydrotherapy can be carried out through free swimming or controlled walking in an underwater treadmill. The way the muscles work whilst swimming and walking are very different. The under water treadmill is excellent for re-educating gait patterns and building muscles in a functional way, ensuring your dog is building the strength required to carry out it's day to day tasks. All treatment carried out here at Aqua Dogs is in the treadmill.
Hydrotherapy treatment is an extremely beneficial exercise to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of many conditions, such as:
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osteoarthritis
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hip dysplasia
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elbow dysplasia
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cruciate disease and rupture (pre and post surgery and in some cases with small dogs can even prevent the need for surgery)
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post spinal surgery
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any form of musculoskeletal tightness/abnormality
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rebuilding muscle post fracture repair
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gait re-education
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Hydrotherapy treatment is very strongly complimented by land based physiotherapy techniques.
During your dogs hydrotherapy assessment we may feel they would benefit from land based work alongside their hydrotherapy treatment and will discuss this with you.
Physiotherapists work to relieve the muscular soreness created by compensatory movement, which will enable your dog to move much more freely and gain extra benefit from their hydrotherapy treatment.
Methods of treatment include soft tissue work and any appropriate electrotherapies. They will also prescribe you with a tailored home exercise programme to enhance recovery.
Stand a lone LASER (most commonly used electrotherapy) sessions are available once a full assessment has taken place.
Rhiannon Burton- Dadd and Ellen Goldsmith of Sarah Price Canine Physiotherapy Ltd hold physiotherapy clinics from our centre. Please contact Rhiannon on 07557640400 or Ellen on 07494795921 for more information. They will require a separate referral from your vet which they will be happy to arrange for you.
You can also find more details at www.sarahpricephysio.com or email Rhiannon on R.BurtondaddVPT@protonmail.com
or Ellen on ellenphysio@icloud.com
ABOUT OUR CLINIC
Aqua Dogs have been working with your vets, providing Hydrotherapy treatment to dogs in Cardiff and the surrounding area since 2008. We liase with your vets to gain consent and history before treatment commences and keep them updated throughout their rehabilitation journey.
All therapists at Aqua Dogs are members of IRVAP (ICH) - Institute of Registered Veterinary Animal Physiotherapists (Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists). This means you know your dog is in safe hands when you bring them to us and is always being treated by a qualified small animal hydrotherapist.
Founded by Angela Halls, one of a handful of students to complete the first regulated OFQUAL approved diploma in hydrotherapy, Aqua Dogs has a first class reputation, with an undeniable wealth of knowledge and experience.
The welfare of your dog is paramount to us. We will never rush your dog. We will spend as long as it takes to make them feel comfortable and treat them as if they were our own.
When your dog comes to Aqua Dogs you can be safe in the knowledge that they are being treated by the best and we will ensure every measure is taken to aid recovery, improve fitness and that they love coming for their hydrotherapy!
Aqua Dogs is located in the beautiful countryside of Caerphilly, just on the outskirts of Cardiff. There is plenty of space to arrive early for your appointment and take your dog for a toilet walk. No busy roads or car parks to negotiate.
OUR TEAM
ANGELA HALLS
Partner and Senior Hydrotherapist
Angela founded Aqua Dogs in January 2008 as a family business with her Mum.
Born in Plymouth, Angela moved to Cardiff in 1998 to complete a Chemistry Degree at Cardiff University and has been here ever since.
Dogs have always been a huge part of Angela's life so when the opportunity came about to start her own business working with dogs she grabbed it with both hands and has never looked back. She started training to be a Canine Hydrotherapist in 2006, before there were any formal qualifications available, and has kept up with any training that becomes available since. She has recently completed the Level 1 Advocate scheme with Canine Arthritis Management.
Her first canine partner came in to her life in September 2008 as a rescue from Cardiff Dogs Home. Charlie was an integral part of the Aqua Dogs team! In 2010 along came Meg, and then in 2017 Pippa joined the gang. (all pictured below, left to right, Pippa, Charlie, Meg)
CERI DAVIES
Hydrotherapist
Deciding on a change of career Ceri’s journey to work with dogs began with several week-long courses in Tellington TTouch (Therapeutic handling for dogs and small animals) at Tilley Farm in Bath. It was on a TTouch workshop with Sarah Fisher hosted by Dogs Trust in Bridgend where she met Angela and Charlie.
After qualifying with her Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy, Ceri started working at Aqua Dogs in 2017, when the centre moved to Cwm Farm in Caerphilly. She trained under Angela’s wing and soon became an integral part of the Aqua Dogs Team. So much so that Angela left Aqua Dogs in her good hands to go on maternity leave in November 2019.
Ceri grew up with dogs of all different breeds and personalities. Also rabbits, guinea pigs, goldfish and a cat. She also spent time in Costa Rica on Turtle protection, and a couple of weeks volunteering at a zoo.
Continuing with the theme of different breeds, Ceri had her own special boy, Errol Brown, a Chocolate Labrador. Errol Brown had his fair share of mobility issues which made Ceri more aware of the multi modal approach available for canine rehabilitation. She gave him his best life until the end and is now enjoying being kept on her toes by her new special boy, and first rescue dog, Zorro - a Pointer x Beagle.
GET
IN TOUCH
OUR ADDRESS
Cwm Farm, Blackbrook Road
Caerphilly
CF83 1NF
Email: aquadogsk9hydro@gmail.com
Tel: 02921 320602
Angela: 07971 099171
Ceri: 07309 728671
We are unable to answer the phone whilst treating so if you can't get through please send us an email and we will reply as soon as we can.
Email should include name, breed and DOB of your dog, your name, address and telephone number and the name of your veterinary practice, along with a summary of your dogs issue(s).
OPENING HOURS
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday - Friday
