by Paula Kully –
I have always loved dogs; as far back as I can remember, I’ve had a four-legged fur friend in my life. But a few years ago, we had to take our dear old friend to the Vet for her last visit. After that, we decided not to get another dog due to our busy lifestyle.
I miss having a dog, but living on the Saanich Peninsula suits me well as everyone here seems to be a dog lover and most people are happy to stop and let you visit with their dog. Every dog I meet has a glossy coat, a happy demeanor, flashy collar, and even specially-made coats or clothes to keep them warm and dry. It is obvious that people on the Peninsula take the care of their canine companions very seriously. They’ll do almost anything for their pets, including hydrotherapy. What, you may ask, is hydrotherapy for dogs?
Basically, it’s the same thing as hydrotherapy for humans: low-impact, water-based, strengthening exercise used to treat chronic conditions, recovery from injury or surgery, or as a preventative measure to keep your dog fit.
Melanie Mosher is a Certified Canine Hydrotherapist who runs Canine Hydrotherapy and Wellness Centre, one of only two such facilities on the Island. She works with everything from puppies to senior dogs, and every breed imaginable.
Melanie has a Masters in special education and is a certified dog trainer. Her love of dogs influenced her to make a career change three-and-a-half years ago to work in the field of canine hydrotherapy. She received her certification from Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Centre in England, the leading veterinary practice in the U.K. for rehabilitation and hydrotherapy.
The drive out to the Centre in North Saanich is really the first part of the therapy. Once you get off the busy Pat Bay Highway, you meander down blossom-lined country roads before arriving at the lovely, private property tucked off of Laurel Road. The facility is bright, clean and welcoming. It provides easy parking for clients and an outdoor activity area.
The day I arrived, Melanie’s Doberman cross Jerry greeted me the moment I walked through the door. Jerry is one of Melanie’s three dogs and obviously spends time in the therapy pool as his coat was still damp from an earlier swim.
Melanie has over 40 regular clients and works with approximately 14 dogs a day. She works with puppies to get them comfortable with the water and to teach them to swim, dogs recovering from injuries, rescue dogs to build confidence, older dogs to sustain mobility, and dogs with chronic conditions such as dysplasia.
The facility was started by Tor and Kathy Hansen after their dog broke a leg and their research identified aqua therapy as the best form of rehabilitation. They were so impressed by their dog’s quick and thorough recovery that they decided to build their own facility to share the benefits of hydrotherapy with other dog owners. When the Hansens retired, Melanie took over the business from them.
The therapy pool is 14 by 36 feet and four feet deep. It is heated to 28°C, the recommended temperature for dogs, and is controlled by a filtering system that cleans the water with salt and a small amount of chlorine to combat bacteria. The facility also has a shower area where every swim ends with a wash down.
Sessions are 30 minutes long and activities depend on the dog and their particular needs. Melanie uses toys and treats to motive the dogs and spends a great deal of her time in the pool with them to provide the necessary assistance. Older dogs dealing with chronic issues may spend the majority of their time near the the steps working with Melanie to strengthen certain joints, while dogs using the pool for fitness will do laps.
All in all, I’d have to say that Melanie has one of the best jobs ever! When asked what she likes the most about her work she will tell you without hesitation that: “I love working for myself, and I love working with the dogs.”
