Your dog deserves a long, healthy and happy life.

As a business that cares deeply about the health and wellbeing of your much-loved furry friend, we have a highly qualified team of hydrotherapists who are dedicated to improving your pet’s quality of life.

Since we started to offer it, we’ve championed hydrotherapy as one of THE most effective and powerful ways to rehabilitate any injuries your dog may have sustained, to relieve muscle or joint pain, or to help him or her manage a range of movement or health-related issues.

Good to Know

  • Crossways is accredited and registered with the Canine Hydrotherapy Association, the body that sets and maintains gold standard in benchmarks, requirements and ethics within this important area of animal welfare. We adhere fully to their Code of Conduct, and endorse their drive for the understanding and advancement of good practice among members.
  • Our professional hydrotherapists each hold recognised qualifications from the CHA, and undertake rigorous additional training and learning evert year. They are professionals working at the highest level, and we are extremely proud of what they can, and have achieved.
  • Not only does this offer you the peace of mind you deserve, but also the reassurance of knowing that through this authentic and fully legitimate accreditation, you will be able to claim for the costs of hydrotherapy treatment through any pet insurance you may have.

Did you know…

We’re delighted and proud to have been an extremely early adopter of hydrotherapy for dogs. Crossways was the very first animal kennels in the UK to install a Derwent pool – that is, the ORIGINAL hydrotherapy pool of its type in the entire country.

Not only do we have one of the largest pools in the area – if not the largest.

We ALSO have a treadmill.

What Is Hydrotherapy for Dogs?

Simply explained, hydrotherapy uses the natural elements of water to provide a safe, comfortable and impact-free programme of treatment for your dog. It’s an outstanding complementary therapy, and our team works closely with both vets and physiotherapists.

Water has highly beneficial properties.

The molecules in water are tightly packed together, making it harder for our bodies to move through it than air. In this way, hydrotherapy for your dog uses resistance, buoyancy, viscosity and something called hydrostatic pressure to help your dog rehabilitate.

Yet, water is non-weight-bearing.

As this type of physical therapy is weightless, with no gravity, the water’s buoyancy reduces the stress on their joints. Plus, as the limb breaks through the surface of the water, the cohesion of the water molecules requires extra effort than simply moving underwater. If we add turbulence, this also adds to the exertion required

And, it’s all extremely effective and in effect custom-designed. – for both the canine super-elite, as well as for those who aren’t quite as youthful and energetic as they used to be.

The Treadmill – How it Works

Crossways has a state-of-the-art treadmill, which gives our therapists control over the treatment plan for your dog. As mentioned, it’s totally bespoke. For example, they can change the water levels, include inclines and declines to suit the patients’ needs, and amend the speed.

What Can Hydrotherapy Do?

In short, it can do a great deal, offering you the peace of mind to know that you can show your dog the same kind of love that he or she feels for you.

It offers powerful, yet gentle methods of rehabilitation, and is a vital part of your pet’s journey towards full health after an operation.  Equally, hydrotherapy offers pre-surgery benefits, and can be a way to manage your pets conservatively.

Our fully qualified hydrotherapy team has the in-depth skills and experience that you as a pet owner need. Why? Because you can put your complete faith and trust in the fact that not only do they adore dogs, their extensive qualifications and experience enable them to know how best to treat your pet.

Conditions that benefit from hydrotherapy:

  • Water confidence
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Cruciate ligament injuries – partial or complete rupture
  • Luxating patella
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Spondylosis
  • Osteochondrossisdesicans (OCD)
  • Chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM/DM)
  • Spinal issues
  • Fibro-cartileginous Embolism – FCE
  • Weight loss and management
  • Strains and sprains
  • Tendonitis
  • Amputations

Benefits of hydrotherapy include:

  • Speed healing
  • Relief of pain, stiffness or swelling
  • Muscle strengthening, and improvement of muscle mass
  • Increased range of motion
  • Tissue healing
  • Improved cardiovascular fitness and blood circulation
  • Promotes relaxation, rest and mental stimulation
  • Gait modification
  • Lots of FUN!

The Crossways Pool…

…is BIG (measurement?)…in fact, one of the largest in the country. The water is heated to a maximum of 31 degree Celsius, and it’s run by a 24/7 pump filtration system. The pool has an integral ramp and resting platforms, along with two directional jets, offering three levels of intensity.

It’s air-conditioned, too.

At all times, your dog will be cared for one-to-one by a Crossways therapist, targeting specific areas, such as limbs, shoulders or chest muscles.

The Crossways Treadmill…

…is ideal for dogs with joint issues or arthritis. It’s a wonderful way to enable rehabilitation to take place in a safe and controlled environment, with high success rates.

As the treadmill starts to move slowly, so will your dog. The water provides enough resistance to strengthen their muscles without the stress of gravity.

Physiotherapy

We also host regular clinics, courtesy of our associate independent physiotherapist, Joanne Boddy. As you can imagine, working with Joanne means that we can extend our range of treatments even more, thus improving recovery rates and general fitness.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Whilst these treatments may appear clinical, and indeed they are, just one look at the goings-on in our hydrotherapy pool speaks volumes about the love and care between our specialists and the animals in their care.

Orthopaedic surgery for dogs never used to exist. Dogs’ lives were, sadly, cut short.

Now, with the amazing leaps and bounds in veterinary medicine, and the wonderful benefits of hydrotherapy for rehabilitation, Crossways is so pleased to be a part of the wellbeing revolution.

We have numerous skills and resources on-hand to focus on the needs of your dog.

Now, you and your beloved family member can look forward to many more years of happiness. Together, as you deserve to be.

Please contact us for more details.

Hydrotherapy prices

All prices include VAT

Hydrotherapy
  • Hydrotherapy Initial Assessment
    £65.00
    Appointment with 2 Hydrotherapists
    Hydrotherapy Course
    £517.00
    12 sessions, payable in advance
    Hydrotherapy session
    £47.00
    per session
    Water Treadmill
    £47.00
    per session
    Fitness Swim
    £37.00
    per session
    Fun Swim
    £33.00
    per session
    Puppy Taster Swim
    £30.00
    per session

What our customers say

Hydro

My elderly Cairn Terrier has now had 6 sessions of Hydrotherapy following a complex operation to repair a ruptured cruciate ligament in the left hind leg. The bone had to be severed and reset followed by cage rest and introducing exercise slowly. Hydrotherapy is now helping to build up his muscles for a stronger leg. He has had three therapists who have all been lovely and made a big fuss of him. The water and the treadmill were introduced slowly so that he could get used to them and not be scared. The length of time on the treadmill increases each week and he is now stepping out strongly. He enters the treatment room with enthusiasm and looks forward to a few treats along the way.

Hydrotherapy

I have been taking my dog for hydrotherapy at Crossways with both Gillian and Molly who are equally kind, caring, passionate and knowledgeable of what they do. Would highly recommend.

Hydro

I can not speak highly about not just the therapists , whom I have had the pleasure of meeting Gillian and Mollie, but all the hardworking ladies at Crossways. This has been a new experience for myself and my dog Bill who was referred from our vets for hydrotherapy and has just had his third session of which the difference from a dog with his eyes nearly out on stalks and shaking with fear to this week was phenomenal. This is down to the patience and expertise of the girls and all I can say is Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon.

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