Everything you might be wondering.
Answers to the questions owners ask us most — about sessions, treatments, costs, and what to expect. Can't find what you need? Get in touch and we'll help.
Getting started.
Yes — all dogs need a vet referral before we begin a session. This is standard procedure for any fully qualified, registered centre, which we are — but we’ll take care of the whole process for you.
The first session is mostly about getting to know your dog. We will go through their history, watch how they move and gently introduce them to the pool. There is no pressure. If your dog needs more time to settle, we take it.
Most sessions run for around 30 to 40 minutes, including time before and after the pool. Initial assessments can be a little longer so we can take a full history and walk you through everything.
Just your dog and a towel or two (we provide some but extras are welcome). We will already have your vet referral by then. Treats are fine — most dogs love a reward after a swim, just keep them small.
A light meal at least three hours before is best. A full belly plus exercise isn’t a great combination for any dog, so we recommend a small meal earlier in the day and a bigger meal once they are home and dried off (around 1.5 hours after hydrotherapy).
Nothing. We provide a fitted buoyancy aid or harness designed for hydrotherapy. They wear it for the whole session and we adjust it to suit their build.
Most dogs sleep well that evening — hydrotherapy is a proper workout in a low-impact form. A 10-minute swim can be the equivalent of a much longer walk. We always do a full health check before and after, and we’ll provide you with full aftercare so you know how they’re doing.
Yes, owners are welcome to stay and watch — many dogs are calmer when they can see you. We have a viewing area beside the pool.
We have a 24-hour notice cancellation policy. If a session is missed without contacting us, the full session amount will be charged. We ask for as much notice as possible if you need to rebook. Things happen, especially when dogs aren’t feeling themselves, and we’ll always work with you to find a new slot.
Absolutely. Many of the dogs we see have never been in water. We use a buoyancy aid and a gradual, supported introduction so your dog never feels out of their depth, literally or otherwise.
About the warm water and the pool.
Between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. Warm enough to ease joints and keep your dog comfortable throughout the session, without being so hot that it tires them out.
Hydrotherapy is one of the most recommended therapies for arthritic dogs. The warm water relaxes stiff joints, the buoyancy removes the weight load that causes pain on land, and gentle movement helps maintain muscle without putting the joint under stress.
Yes, with your vet’s approval. We work alongside vets to support post-operative rehabilitation, particularly after cruciate repair, hip or elbow surgery and other orthopaedic procedures. Sessions typically start a few weeks after surgery when the surgical site has healed.
Very. It’s often kinder than walking for senior dogs because there’s no impact on joints. Many of our regulars are in their teens and the warm water helps them move freely in a way they can’t on land.
Hydrotherapy is a great support for weight management when combined with a vet- or nutritionist-approved diet plan. It lets overweight dogs burn calories and build muscle without straining their joints.
Hydrotherapy is structured, supervised, in temperature-controlled water with a specific plan for your dog’s condition. Casual swimming in a lake or pool doesn’t have any of those controls and can risk injury, infection, or simply not target what your dog actually needs.
It varies by condition. Recovery cases often start weekly, then taper. Long-term mobility support might be every 1-2 weeks. Fitness or conditioning can be a steady weekly routine. We always tailor the plan after the assessment.
Hands-on rehabilitation.
Hydrotherapy is water-based, physiotherapy is hands-on (on land). Physiotherapy uses massage, stretches, mobilisations and specific exercises to treat pain and restore function. Many dogs benefit from both, used together.
Gentle, non-invasive recovery support.
Yes, it’s completely non-invasive and there’s no heat, noise or sensation that bothers most dogs. Many sleep through it. It uses specific wavelengths of red and infrared light to stimulate healing at a cellular level.
It accelerates the body’s natural healing process. Damaged cells repair faster, inflammation reduces, and chronic pain often eases. It’s particularly effective for joint pain, sore muscles, wounds and post-surgery recovery.
Usually 10-15 minutes per treatment area. We can target specific spots (a sore joint) or broader areas depending on what your dog needs.
We use protective measures during sessions and direct the light away from the eyes. The wavelengths we use are safe but we take sensible precautions.
Targeted muscle and trigger point work.
Myotherapy is hands-on soft-tissue therapy that treats chronic muscular pain through targeted massage, stretches and trigger point release. It’s similar to physiotherapy but with a particular focus on muscles and trigger points.
Myotherapy is clinical — we observe your dog’s gait, posture and muscle balance before each session and target specific areas based on what we find. It’s also evidence-based and uses techniques designed for canine anatomy.
Most do. The pressure is firm but not painful, and dogs that are sore often relax into it within a few minutes. Stacey is qualified in both myotherapy and trigger point release.
Sometimes. If a behaviour change is rooted in undiagnosed pain (lunging on lead, snapping when touched in certain spots, reluctance to do things they used to enjoy), addressing the muscular pain can resolve the behaviour. We always work alongside the vet.
Our team, our experience.
The centre has been established for over 15 years. Stacey has hands-on experience across the whole of that time.
Stacey is a Level 4 qualified canine hydrotherapist, qualified Canine Myotherapist, and Trigger Point Release Specialist. She is registered with IRVAP (Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists) and the ICH (Institute of Canine Hydrotherapy).
Yes. All treatments, staff and the facility are fully insured.
Costs, insurance and logistics.
Most pet insurance policies cover hydrotherapy when it is vet-referred. We provide everything you need to submit a claim — just check with your insurer first to confirm. Please note we charge a small administration fee for handling claims.
Most major UK pet insurers cover hydrotherapy when vet-referred. We provide letter-headed invoices and treatment notes for any insurer. Please note there is a £25 administration fee for processing insurance claims.
We work with one dog at a time so each gets full attention. If you have multiple dogs to bring, we can arrange consecutive sessions.
Specific conditions and where we are.
Yes. Warm-water exercise is one of the best supports for hip dysplasia — buoyancy takes the weight off the joint while still letting muscles develop. We work with many dysplasia cases alongside their vet.
Hydrotherapy is widely recommended for both pre- and post-cruciate surgery rehab. The non-weight-bearing environment lets dogs build strength around the joint without overloading the repair.
Hydrotherapy is often part of the rehab plan for dogs with intervertebral disc disease, when their vet gives the go-ahead. It supports gentle movement and helps rebuild strength without stressing the spine.
We are based at Unit 30 Wulfric Square, Bretton, Peterborough.
Yes — we see clients from across Cambridgeshire, south Lincolnshire and parts of Northamptonshire and beyond.
We’re at Unit 30 Wulfric Square in Bretton, Peterborough (PE3 8RF). There’s parking available outside our premises. If you have trouble finding us, just call and we’ll happily direct you.
We're happy to chat.
If your question isn't covered above, get in touch. We'd rather you ask than wonder.