Dogs have always been considered our best friends. In today’s world, dogs are much more than our companions, protectors and comforters—many people call them “their children”, “their kids” or “their soul mates”. They give unconditional love and they trust us. Dogs teach us to enjoy life and how to be better people; they want and need to be loved, to be part of the family.
Our beloved companions also depend on us to care for them and provide ongoing health care so that they can live a quality life for the short time they are here by our sides. Dogs have one goal in mind and that is to dedicate themselves to pleasing their owners in all aspects. Their single focus is to be that loyal companion for walking, running, playing, working, protection or traveling—whether they are healthy or in pain. They can’t verbally tell us about their pain, where it’s located or how much pain they are in. Rather than disappoint us or become a weak member of the pack, they suffer silently until a large health issue surfaces. Dogs are masters of hiding pain and discomfort. Most of the time, in silence, dogs willingly adapt and/or compromise themselves to deal with their issues while ignoring their own pain to accomplish a task to please us.
There are approximately 700 muscles in the body of a dog which accounts for 45% of its entire weight. These muscles give a dog’s body the strength and ability to move. They are what allow them to move, to play, to run or swim. If you have ever had a neck or back related injury, pulled a muscle, strained or torn a muscle, you know yourself how debilitating such an injury can be. You may notice as you get older parts of your body seem to ache more, you get joint stiffness/pain, you have stiffness in your muscles and you generally don’t feel as agile. Dogs are no different!
Through canine swimming hydrotherapy and massage your dog can benefit from this 100% natural method of managing pain, stimulating tissue repair, support of irreversible issues and in aiding the healing process of certain conditions. Of course, healthy active dogs reap the benefits of these modalities as part of their fitness regimen.
If you are giving your dog potent medication to manage their pain to help them cope, you would give your beloved pet a wonderful gift of love by enhancing their quality of life through swimming hydrotherapy and/or massage. You may be able to reduce their dependence on pain medication which may have serious side effects on their organs.
*Hydrotherapy and massage are not, nor are they intended, to be a substitute for veterinary care. It is a complementary form of health care intended to enhance the dog’s healing process. Canine hydrotherapy and massage bridges holistic /alternative healthcare with traditional veterinary medicine. Information in this website is provided for the purpose of education. The reader should consult with a veterinarian in matters relating to his or her dog’s health and in regard to symptoms, which may require medical attention. Lori Jobak is not a licensed veterinarian and therefore does not diagnose or prescribe medications.
