We ask all our clients to complete a form and have it stamped by their vet so that we are sure that hydrotherapy is suitable for your dog. This is particularly important with regard to injuries.
Blue is a large, stocky, 5 year old Weimaraner who we rehomed from rescue in 2009. We had no idea as to whether he had EVER swum, but I knew that swimming would be great exercise for him, as well as his regular twice daily walks. I found 4 Paws and was really pleased to see that Blue could go along and just have a fun swim, so I booked him in, and off we went.
Blues' first swim was pretty good, he wasn't sure, and was floundering around a fair bit. It took him a while to realise that he needed to use his BACK legs as well as the front ones, but he soon did, and was almost swimming alone by the end of his introductory session! I was very encouraged by his reactions, and so booked him the package of 5 swims.
His second session saw Blue a little more relaxed, and he started swimming around straight away, using all 4 legs and chasing and retrieving his toys. Karen was in the pool with him this time, and was impressed at how well he was doing too. Blue enjoyed this session a lot more, and was far more relaxed about everything.
Today I took Blue for session number three, and I THINK I may have a different dog! He marched in all waggy tails, gave everyone loads of fuss and licks, jumped in the tub for his shower and to have his jacket put on. Then he was off! He ran down the ramp, went straight to the front of the pool and promptly tried his hardest to scale the side of the pool and leap in to Karen! Never mind walking up the ramp and entering the water the normal way, he wanted IN and he wanted it NOW! The girls managed to convince him to enter the pool in a more sedate manner, and off he went like a torpedo, swimming away happy to leave Karen's side and chase his toys. I couldn't have wished for him to take to it all so well.
Blue is undoubtedly gaining a great deal from his swimming, he loves it, it is fabulous exercise for him, as he IS a larger sized Weimaraner, not overweight, just LARGE, I know he is getting a good workout without putting too much strain on his joints. I can't see us EVER leaving, I would feel I was depriving Blue if he did not manage to swim at least once a week with Karen.
Thank you SO much.
Karen Dobbin and Licks and Leans from Blue. XX
Lauren Weeks, Portsmouth
Saturday, 22 May 2010 03:28
I heard from a friend about four paws aqua and liked the sound of it so i decided to give them a ring and find out more. My 5 year old shih tzu x lhasa apso billy went for his first swim with no health problems just to have a fun splash and not knowing if he had any previous swimming experience as he was a rescue. You couldn't expect more from the staff as they were very helpful and friendly. Billy continues swimming on a regular basis and now i have the pleasure of being part of the four paws aqua team. Me and Billy would never dream of leaving them.
Mrs Munns, ownere of Oscar, Portsmouth
Saturday, 10 April 2010 03:27
Mrs Munns Reviewed on 9th April, 2010
I'm touching wood when I say that at the moment Oscar has few health problems. He is just a crazy 5yr old boxer who thinks he is still a puppy, but he does spend quite a lot of time on his own at home when we are out at work so when I found out I could leave him with Karen and her team for the day to be walked, fussed and played with it seemed ideal. On top of that he gets a swim; he normally only likes to paddle but hopefully this will make him more confident. He loves it and goes home to sleep peacefully and dream about more walks and play time. thank you Karen for providing such a useful service. Oscar really appreciates it.
Loraine Chadwick, Portchester
Friday, 02 April 2010 03:26
I intially went to 4 Paws Aqua to help keep my 5 year old terrier fit, strong and supple, and compliment all the other activities he does. Although Barney loves to run in the sea and will put his head under to retrieve balls and stones, jump the waves and swim, when it came to the pool he sadly turned into a jibbering wimp.
Over a period of eight months, with fortnightly/ monthly visits, and a lot of patience we left there on our last visit with a very smug terrier who had had his confidence built up so that he was able to engage with a ball and launch himself into the water from the ramp to retrieve it. He did it with such gusto and enjoyment too!
Barney sends thanks to Ali ( he says those little massages on the ramp were lovely and really helped him!) Hopefully we can now build on this breakthrough. So thanks 4 Paws Aqua, that was a very special day for me.
Ellen Molloy, Southsea
Friday, 02 April 2010 03:26
Hi I would just like to tell you about my dog Millie, she is a black lab, who is 8 years old.
I started to take her to fourpaws aqua to give her a bit more excersise. she took one look at the pool and tried to leave. If the pool was dirty, cold and smelly, she would love it, but, because it is warm and clean, she hated it, also she has to work, which is another reason to hate it.
We perserviered and 5 weeks later, she is making her own way into the pool, no pulling and coaxing from Karen or Allie, what a break through, but the next week was even better, she not only got into the pool herself, she swam by herself, maybe she is starting to enjoy it after all, she is loosing weight, and has more energy, so it is doing her some good (maybe i should join her, It may do me some good aswell). well today week, she decided to have a poo in the middle of Lucknow road, I took her to the path and told her to wait,while I cleaned it up, the spot, where she realeved herself was by a busy bend, so it was easier and safer to take her to the path and leave her there, than keep hold of her, when I went back to the path she had started to walk of, towards fourpawsaqua, so i just followed her, she walked up to the door, sat down and waited. I told her to tell them she was there, so she jumped up at the door, which was then opened for her, she walkded in and went to the shower area all by herself.
I think we may have cracked it, until the wether warms up and she goes bak to the cold, smelly. dirty ponds of Havant thicket.
love to you all
Ellen and Millie xx
Jan Dewdney, Portsmouth
Sunday, 28 March 2010 03:25
Honey has had both her hips replaced. After her second operation in January, we were advised that hydrotherapy would help with her walking and muscle mass. She had a course of hyrdotherapy at 4paws and it has really made a huge difference. Ali was brillian with Honey allowing her to build up her confidence and level of exercise, which was right for her. She now goes each week for a fun swim and really loves it.
Thank you Karen and Ali
Sally Penfold, Portsmouth
Friday, 26 March 2010 03:24
I have a yorkshire terrier called Stanley. The vet said that he has put a bit of weight on,and as we all know it's not good on their hearts. I cant take him out for long walks,as i have just had a disc operation on my back.I do feel so guilty not giveing stan the long works i use too.I was looking on the internet and came across Fourpaws aqua. I laughed at first A DOG going for swimming classes,but as i read more about it on the sight,i could see that this was no joke,but a great form of execise for your dog. I took stan along to have a swim, i was a little worried untill i meet,karen and her staff, as soon as we turned up they were all smiling and so friendly.Stan was taken to get ready for his swim,he came back and karen helped him in the water. It was so nice that i could watch my baby having his first swim, little love he had so much fun.Thank you karen and all the staff.
See you next week.
Stan is not just a DOG but my BEST friend. He looks after me,and i wont too look after him with the help from Four paw aqua.
Miss Morris, owner of Willow, Gosport
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 03:23
I have been taking my greyhound Willow to 4paws Aqua for almost two years. Initially this was for a shoulder injury, but once healed I continued once every fortnight becuase the results on Willow have continued to dramatically improve her fitness. Karen and her team are professional, knowledgeable, and amenable to appointments outside of conventional working hours. The service has been extremely good value for money, and a quality of customer care is delivered that is often sadly lacking in this day and age. They do also have a wonderful empathy with their four legged customers. This is not the nearest hydrotherapy pool to me, but I continue to travel the extra distance because Karen goes out her way to look after her customers
