Water therapy, for dogs

Aquapaws is Cyprus’ very first Canine Hydrotherapy centre. ALIX NORMAN finds out why dogs actually love this treatment

“We swam a Labrador,” Gaynor recalls. “He would only get in the water if he had three tennis balls in his mouth. I don’t know how he got them in there, but he did! And when he was all better, his owner continued to bring him every week, because he loved the whole experience so much!”

Gaynor is talking about hydrotherapy – but for dogs! Water therapy has been around for thousands of years: Hippocrates prescribed bathing in spring water for sickness; the ancient Chinese recommended hot springs for a host of maladies; and the Romans were hugely into their thermae (think the baths of Bath) as a health-giving treatment. Today, the practice has been revived, and hydrotherapy is seen as a popular post-op recovery practice around the world. But hydrotherapy for dogs is a little newer…

Similar to human hydrotherapy, the canine version relies on non-weight bearing treatments to support the body, allow the cardiovascular system to properly aid circulation, and energise the whole system. Used to treat a host of canine conditions, it’s becoming ever more popular worldwide. And Gaynor and Chris Warriner were not only pioneers of canine hydrotherapy in Britain, they’ve now launched Cyprus’ very first canine hydrotherapy centre: Aquapaws!

“Aquapaws is Cyprus’ first and only Canine Hydrotherapy Pool,” Gaynor explains. “It’s a service that’s long overdue on the island. Globally, veterinarians have been recommending this type of treatment for years for so many canine ailments: arthritis, pain relief, post-operative recovery, and general doggy fitness amongst others. And the results are astounding! When you see dogs who aren’t able to use their hind legs at all, who come in for their first session with their tail tucked under in pain and back legs dangling, and then – after a few treatments – they’re walking again, they’re happy and playful, it’s truly amazing! Such a reward!”

Gaynor and Chris, who are life-long dog lovers and bred Boxers in the UK, launched their canine hydrotherapy service in the Hampshire town of Barton-on-Sea in 2001. “Back then, it was a really pioneering concept,” she explains. “We were one of only a handful of centres in the country, and vets from the entire region would recommend our services. But we sold up and left all that behind when we moved to Cyprus in 2007, and instead launched something completely different: a parking service at Paphos airport! We just figured that with the weather here, and so many people having pools, canine hydrotherapy wouldn’t work on the island…”

A decade on, the couple realised they might be wrong. “Many local beaches won’t allow dogs, and people seem generally loath to have their dogs in their own pools for hygiene reasons,” she reveals. “So we thought perhaps we’d give canine hydrotherapy a try in Cyprus: we installed a professional indoor pool in the office compound of the parking area and imported all the specialised equipment we would need…”

The pool itself is roughly 8 by 4 feet, and dogs swim in place, attached to a safety harness and usually wearing a floatation device to ensure buoyancy. “The beauty of hydrotherapy,” she explains, “is that the dog is weightless. When they’re on the ground, their own weight pushes them down and that can be painful for a dog that’s hurt or disabled. But when they’re in the water, there’s no pressure on the joints, and they can experience the pain-free movement that allows them to heal.”

At Aquapaws, Gaynor and Chris treat roughly 10 privately-owned dogs a week, and offer deeply discounted sessions to various local charities such as PAWS. The first session is a free trial, and each subsequent session is charged at €15 or less, if owners block-book.

“Each session lasts between three and 15 minutes, depending on the ability and progress of the dog,” explains Gaynor. “And Chris goes in the pool with every dog to encourage them to move their legs – though most will instinctively swim once they’re in the water. But not all!” she laughs. “We had one lovely dog, a cross-breed, who was so lazy and laid back she’d just hang there in the water, doing nothing! It would make us giggle – she was clearly enjoying it, but we’d have to help her use her legs every time she came for a session!”

Working with dogs of all ages, sizes and pedigrees, the couple are dedicated to canine comfort, and will do whatever it takes to help their furry friends on the road to recovery. “We had a Pomeranian who was so tiny, says Gaynor, “that none of our flotation devices would fit. And so we thought long and hard, and rigged up a child’s armband to keep her buoyant throughout her sessions!

“On the other end of the spectrum,” she continues, “we’ve worked with great Great Danes, various German Shepherds – who often suffer from arthritis of the back legs or hip dysplasia, and can benefit hugely from hydrotherapy – and one huge Bernese Mountain Dog. Generally, Bernese are great in the water: they have a thick coat that repels water, and are good swimmers. But this one hated getting wet; he had a very literal hangdog expression on his face each time he came for a session. You could almost see him thinking ‘Oh no. Not this again!’ I think he was quite thankful when he got better and didn’t have to come anymore!”

Most dogs, however, love hydrotherapy, Gaynor reveals. “And not just because they can feel it’s helping them. Labradors in particular tend to be deliriously happy in the water, even when they have three tennis balls stuck in their mouth! But all dogs, whatever their age or breed, are meant to run and play and bound. When they’re in pain, they can’t do what they love the most. With hydrotherapy, we’re not just healing dogs,” she concludes. “We’re giving them back their happiness!”

For more information, visit https://aquapawscyprus.com/