Recovery & Fitness SErvices

Q1:  Is the underwater treadmill available after hours or weekends?

Yes to both!   We are the only underwater treadmill available after hours in Tampa Bay.  Due to the tedious cleaning requirements, it is only in use for set blocks of time.  Any recovery or fitness plan sessions that include the underwater treadmill, must be during the hours below:

Mon & Wed      10am - 1pm

Tues & Thurs   3 - 9pm

Saturday          9am - 12:30pm

Q2: Can I stay and watch my pet's session?  

Yes, we require that at least one of the  primary pet parents be there the entire time.  

Q3:  My pet cannot swim, is that ok?  What precautions do you take?

In most cases they won't be swimming, just walking with the water level at knee or hip height.  We have various sizes of pet floatation vests on-site, and we prefer that they are worn even for animals that swim well.  Our vests have a chin float to help keep their heads from dropping into the water and we have float noodles too.  You may bring your own flotation vest or any lift harnesses.

Additionally, your certified veterinary professional on-site is trained in emergency first aid. (RECOVER Certified for veterinary professionals and Pro Pet Hero instructor) 

Q4:  I want to take photos and video, is that ok?

Absolutely!  I encourage you take video of any homework exercises, or audio of any special home instructions, or information that I want you to share with your veterinarian. Even better, if you want to use your photos or short video for social media shout outs. Just don't post the videos as "how to demos" for other pet parents, as each pet is different.  

Q5:  Will my great dane fit in the underwater treadmill?  

No, our underwater treadmill is for up to med/large-size dogs only. A great dane and a larger wt class greyhound would be too tall.  Their standing knee height should not be more than 12 inches from the ground, and their standing hip height should not be more than 15 inches from the ground. Their weight should not exceed 140 lbs.  An average-size Labrador or German Shepard will fit.  The good news it that  the special land treadmill that we use fits all-size dogs (and cats) and sometimes the land treadmill is just as good.  

Q6:  My child or grandchild is with me that day, can I bring them?

It depends. Any person helping with the treadmill portion or physical exercises (even if just giving treats or head pats) must be an adult due to insurance rules.  If they are an older teen, they are welcome to sit in a chair during that portion of the session.  Younger children, including any child that would require close adult supervision should not be at the session.  

In the case of  sessions that are only Reiki or massage,  a child that can remain still and quiet is welcome to meditate with us and watch.  Not to be mean here (I raised 5 kids and was a teacher), but the studio is not a play place for the bored.  The studio is small and artfully decorated more like a Zen massage room.  It is pet-proofed, but not kid-proofed. 

Q7:  My pet is paralyzed, can you work with them?

It will depend on many factors.  If it is a new injury and the care suggested by your veterinarian would require more than two people to logistically support your pet during exercises, then you would be referred to a rehab specialty clinic with a larger staff.  

If the pet is incontinent, the underwater treadmill is not an option for sanitary reasons.  Instead, your pet will wear a diaper and we will use the land treadmill along with other modalities. 

For paralysis due to muscle atrophy, or in cases of nerve entrapment, we will try massage, acupressure, and other manual techniques to help to improve mobility and tissue circulation. I've taken special training for nerve entrapment release and have seen these alternative techniques work in the past.  We literally had a paresis dog that was getting a last comfort massage/Reiki session before euthanasia, get up and start walking perfectly after a nerve entrapment release.  That dog lived another year to almost 18 yrs old.  

Benefits of underwater treadmills.

Signing up for a series of 8 or more treatments will save you money.  Since most injuries and conditions require more than one treatment, this is the most economical value.  You can exchange any unused sessions for gift certificates.