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Do What is Best for the Dog
This is our motto and the foundation that we operate from. Your first visit to Heavenly Spa will include an overall assessment on your dog. Our initial goal is to ensure that your dog has a safe, happy and successful experience that will build confidence from the beginning. We take time to allow the dog to get used to the new environment: the scents, the sounds, and the sights. Your therapist will review your dog's history with you and will first observe how they are walking on land. The therapist will then get your dog into the water and will assess what is going on with their muscle structure. Finally the therapist will swim your dog to see how they conduct themselves in the water. This information combined with the history and other information provided by you will help to determine the program goals.
We will create an overall program goal for your particular dog that is determined through the initial assessment, and is based on several factors: your time, budget and level of involvement. We will work with you to balance all factors to ensure the best success for you and your dog. We have assessment checkpoints with you to ensure clarity of program goals. We also communicate regularly with your veterinarian and other wellness partners as appropriate. Examples of these partners would be your surgeon, chiropractor, accupuncturist, etc.
In a perfect world (given unlimited time and resources) for most of the programs, we would like to see your dog initially 2-3 times a week for 3-4 weeks and typically the sessions would be 1 hour in length. At the end of that time period, we will re-assess with you and determine how best to move forward. At a minimum, once a week will be required to build a solid foundation for most programs. For our programs, package pricing gives you the very best rates.
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Pre-Surgery
Warm water therapy is beneficial in preparing a dog for surgery. A pre-surgery program will enable the dog to develop good muscle strength to minimize effects of crate rest and atrophy after surgery. Swimming gets the immune system and cardiovascular system functioning at a high level to help the body heal faster from the effects of anesthesia and the surgery itself.
Post-Surgery
A post surgery program can typically reduce the recovery time by as much as half. While every dog is different, most dogs will see benefit from post-surgery swimming. Coordinate with your surgeon to verify when swimming can be started after surgery.
Strength Building
If your dog is showing signs of a weak hind end, this program will put them on the right track to restoring muscle mass, muscle tone and stamina. You will also see improvement in overall attitude, energy, appetite, and bowel movements.
Learn How to Swim
Whether your dog is 6 months old or 6 or 16 years old, not every dog "knows" how to swim. This includes traditional water dogs such as labs, newfoundlands, golden retrievers, etc. We will help your dog learn how to correctly swim so that they will have a life-long and life-saving skill.
Vestibular Episode Recovery
Dogs who have had one or more episodes of vestibular can obtain varying degrees of recovery through aquatic bodywork aimed at restoring coordination, minimizing head tilt, restoring confidence, and assisting the immune system to function at a higher level for episodic recovery.
Confidence Building for Rescue Pets
Has your home recently been blessed by a new rescue pet? Does your new pet need an injection of confidence? Bring them to our relaxing and healing environment to restore confidence, reduce anxiety and get in great shape for their new life with you!
Weight Loss
Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for any us, skinned or furry. Help your furry friend shed those extra pounds safely, by working in our warm water spa which reduces the strain on joints, allows full range of motion for all limbs, provides an excellent cardiovascular workout and will strengthen and tone muscles. Fat will be transformed into muscle and your dog will be on the right track for a healthy life.
Senior Dog Exercise
Land exercise can be difficult for older, arthritic joints. Give your furry pal a paw up by getting him in good shape in the water, which will support his activities on land. Swimming will build muscle mass and muscle tone which will help support arthritic joints. Aquatic bodywork through massage, reiki and shiatsu will help reduce inflammed and arthritic joints, relax stressed muscles, and help correct compensation habits. We will also increase endurance through cardiovascular exercise.
Parapalegic and Quadrapalegic Pets
Swimming your dog brings a whole new attitude to your pet if they are suffering from paralysis. We will customize a program for your pet depending on the degree and extent of the paralysis, whether it is temporary or permanent. We will employ all aspects of aquatic bodywork including massage, myofacial release, lypmhatic drainage, efflourrage, petrissage, reiki, accupressure, shiatsu etc. This will provide comfort, give them an upright perspective and give them new hope.
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| Claire with Cali and Echo |
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| Double Therapy! |
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