Canis Aquatic

25/08/2026

A little round up of the last week 😄

Lots of fears overcome, first time swims, some fantastic rehab progress and lots of laughs!

23/08/2026

21/08/2026

It takes a team!

Skye and Astin might both be sporting dogs, but a multimodal approach to health and wellbeing can benefit our everyday dogs too.

Alongside their veterinary care, Skye and Astin regularly see me at Canis Aquatic for hydrotherapy, Ali - Wessex Clinical Canine Massage for massage and Back2It Chiropractic for chiropractic check-ins.

Different therapies can support the body in different ways, whether that’s helping with strength and mobility, supporting recovery, managing the everyday aches and changes that come with ageing, or simply helping our dogs stay comfortable and feeling their best.

This approach isn’t just for canine athletes. Our pet dogs can benefit from having a team around them too with veterinary care at the centre, with complementary therapies working alongside it.

Sometimes the best approach isn’t just one treatment, it’s finding the right combination the individual dog. ☺️

06/08/2026

Skye and Astin came for their last swim before heading off to the flyball champs this week.
Astin recently gained his 1000 points too!

Wishing Avril, Skye, Astin and all the best for champs!

22/07/2026

Definitely worth a read!

The length of a dog’s nails can really affect gait and posture.

This post from Canine Massage Therapy Centre has an excellent diagram of the stresses that long nails put on the rest of body.

28/06/2026

New service coming soon!

Some of you may know I’m a bit “woo-woo”, and over the last 6 months I’ve been really leaning into my spiritual side and working with energy.

In November I gained my 1st Degree Usui Reiki certificate, and this weekend I’ve now completed my Usui Reiki 2nd Degree training.

I am now fully qualified and insured to work professionally as a Reiki practitioner. I’ll primarily be working with our four-legged friends, but I’m also available for humans too.

Before I begin offering this as a regular service, I have 4 spaces available for case study sessions. I’m particularly looking to work with dogs who may be experiencing pain-related issues such as osteoarthritis, or who have behavioural challenges or anxiety.

These will be mobile sessions, so I will come to you and work with your dog in the environment where they feel most comfortable.

These case study sessions will be completely free of charge.

If you feel your dog (or you) might benefit from this, please feel free to message me for more details or to chat about whether it could be a good fit.

26/06/2026

** NEW Frozen raw natural treats in stock!**
(Chief product tester Olly approves)

Treat your dogs to something natural and nutritious with our range of frozen raw treats, available fresh or frozen, ready to feed!

🦴 Beef ribs– perfect for chewing, enrichment, and supporting dental health
🦴 Beef trachea– a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, helping to support healthy joints and mobility
🦴 Marrow bones– packed with flavour and great for satisfying natural chewing instincts
🐟Sprats– rich in omega-3, supporting healthy joints, skin, and a shiny coat
🦆 Duck necks– packed with soft bone, cartilage, and connective tissue, making a delicious crunchy treat. Naturally rich in omega-3, selenium, and vitamin B3

These raw treats are a fantastic way to keep your dog occupied, provide mental stimulation, and support their health, all with no artificial colours, preservatives, additives, cereals, or fillers.

22/06/2026

A personal note..
I don't usually bring my personal life into my work, but I think it’s important that I should give you the heads up as the warm weather is making things a bit interesting 🙃.

I have Type 1 diabetes and the hot weather has a significant impact on my blood glucose levels.

During warmer temperatures, I can be more prone to experiencing hypos (low blood sugar).
The good news is that I am very aware of the signs when my blood sugar is dropping, my CGM will alarm and I always keep glucose shots on the edge of the pool so I can treat it quickly and safely.

Some common symptoms of a hypo can include:
Feeling shaky or weak
Dizziness or light-headedness
Sweating more than usual
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling suddenly tired
Slurred speech

If I do have a hypo at work - once treated, I may need a little time to recover before continuing as normal - usually about 15mins before most symptoms subside.

The safety and wellbeing of your dogs is always my top priority, and I would never carry out hydrotherapy if I didn't feel safe and able to give them my full attention.

Just throwing it out there, incase I go a bit wonky!

19/06/2026

☀️⚠️With the weather looking to be SCORCHIO again, please don’t be shy if you want to reschedule your appointment. Welfare is the priority!⚠️☀️

18/06/2026

Willow

Willow is an agility dog, who was referred to me from . She had a carpal (hyperextension) injury to her left forelimb.

Julian suggested ultrasound, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy.

Willow, is quite unsure of other people, wasn’t keen on having her paws touched and hadn’t swam before, and I couldn’t wait to meet her!

We hit it off from the start, and it has been very much a trust the process moment. We worked on her confidence, but just because we weren’t swimming straight away didn’t mean it was a waste of time.

Willow was submerging her forelimbs in the warm water and accepting massage. The hydrostatic pressure and warm water greatly benefit the soft tissues and help reduce swelling and inflammation. We were also carrying out loading exercises and weight shifting all while building confidence in and around the water.

Willow had her 6 week imaging at Hercules, who had seen amazing improvement and she has now also finished a course of Cartrophen and is back to full exercise at home and still keeping up with her physio exercises.

I’m so proud of this little lady, who has such dedicated owners, and it’s a true display of how multidisciplinary teams can work together to create a better outcome following injury.