Craigard Hydro © 2016 - 2020

Here to help your dog

Craigard facilities

Located adjacent to our own house, the hydrotherapy suite is a purpose built cabin with good access and all the essential items needed to give your dog an effective and enjoyable visit.

• Custom designed hydro suite, spacious and warm for both customers and their owners.
• Highest quality hydro treadmill, as used by leading hydrotherapy training centres.
• Easy onsite parking with level access to the hydro suite.
• Level approach with no steps into the cabin.

Why use a treadmill

Many dogs are already benefiting from hydrotherapy in a pool, which can be very successful and suits many dogs, but there are several key areas where a treadmill provides certain advantages:

• The amount of water (and therefore buoyancy) can be controlled and changed according to each dogs’ needs. This means that weight-bearing can be increased over a period of time to help with muscle function and tone. This eases the transition from water to dry land by gradually increasing the load on affected limbs.
• The treadmill can be used to re-educate gait patterns after weakness or paralysis. It can encourage limb usage at an earlier stage, in some conditions, allowing a return to activity.
• As the therapist is with the dog in the treadmill there is less opportunity for leg adductions/abductions which can exacerbate certain conditions.
• Specific muscles can be targeted to maximise joint mobilisation.
• It can be less stressful for dogs that are water-phobic.
• It is easier for larger breeds to enter/exit the treadmill than when using a pool.
• The treadmill is a useful advancement when the effects of a pool have been exhausted.

From smaller breeds such as dachshund up to German Shepherds and Mastiffs, the treadmill makes it easy for the dog to enter, gain the benefit from the therapy and leave again without the stress of steps.

Treadmill details

Our equipment is one of the latest designs and made in the UK from high quality materials, it has been developed in conjunction with the leading hydrotherapist in the UK who was the original creator of the official Canine Hydrotherapy qualifications.

• Large version with easy access ramps
• Doors are at both ends, no need for the dog to reverse or turn
• Computer controlled belt with electrically adjustable incline
• Fast filling and emptying of disinfected, PH balanced warm water (30oC)
• Targeted therapy
• Reduced stress when entering/leaving the treadmill
• Accurate measurement of effort during exercise
• Reduced risk of water entering the ear canal