Violet the Giant Rabbit

A couple of years ago I presented my lame dog Mavis, to Stacey at Aqua Dogs for some hydrotherapy.

She’d been through the mill a bit with no surgery/treatment/painkillers curing her limp. Just one session later (I kid you not) & after 18 months of limping, Mavis has never limped again & hasn’t been on any painkillers since.

Fast forward to last week. I have a beautiful Giant Rabbit called Violet who I’ve had since she was 6months old when I rescued her and I was so lucky to get the chance to love her. She is the most gentle giant you’ll meet. Calm & serene.

Sadly her back legs gave way to arthritis & she got flystrike due to her immobility. I was lucky as swift action & a fantastic vet meant no damage to her skin was done. I brought her home but her back legs would no longer support her & she couldn’t even stand to go to the toilet. The time had come to let my beautiful girl go. I rang my vet & left a message to call me. My children were utterly heartbroken as was I, and then came my lightbulb moment.

Maybe, just maybe my miracle worker (aka Stacey) could work her magic again? What did I have to lose? Within 24 hrs after permission from my vet Violet was gently lowered into the pool at Aqua Dogs. And then the miracle began again. Gently & slowly Violets back legs began to move. I stood & cried. Violet was very chilled throughout enjoying a treat in between swims. Back home, after just one session she stood on her own, supporting her body weight. The very next day the cheeky little (well, big) lady was found wandering around my newly decorated lounge that she’s not allowed in!!! She’d made it in there all on her own. More happy tears. Violet has since had another hydrotherapy session & is going from strength to strength.

Stacey, I know you tell me it’s the hydrotherapy that helps & not you but I have to disagree. I thank you from the bottom of my now mended heart for giving both my girls their quality of life back xx

Buzz the Dalmation

“Buzz was diagnosed with Myositis Disease which affects the jaw and head muscles he was unable to eat properly or pick up his toys, the treatment for this condition was a high steroid dose, over the weeks this resulted in muscle wastage all over his body he lost 6kgs in weight and no longer had an active lifestyle, not good news for this athletic breed. We asked our vet if Hydrotherapy would benefit him to support the muscle wastage which he agreed.

Aqua Dogs were recommend to us by a friend. On his first visit Buzz he was very unsure of the pool and his surroundings, Stacey spent time with Buzz showing him the pool was nothing to be afraid of helped him into the pool gave him support and confidence everything was focused on his needs. Without her care and patience don’t think Buzz would ever been relaxed and confident enough the time spent with him at each session was not an issue he was not rushed each one took as long as required.

After one of his sessions, think it was about the fourth I contacted Stacey the next day to say “I’ve got Buzz back” he was happy again running and playing just like he used too. It’s not just the swimming the stimulation of endorphins which also gave Buzz a new lease of life after each session.

We have used Hydrotherapy establishments before with our previous Dalmatians but the care, dedication and attention given by Stacey are second to none and have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone.

Buzz loves her and she treats him as her own he now gets into the pool and swims on his own something we never thought he would do amazed how he has progressed.

Stacey is a very special person who treats our very special pets.”

Kind Regards Julie & Mike Godley

Milo’s Story

“I first brought Milo to Aqua Dogs when he was about 10 months old to help him lose some of his puppy fat and build up some muscle. When he first started coming he was afraid to go into the water and had to be lifted in.

With Stacey’s natural supportive and understanding approach Milo soon developed more confidence in the water and now thoroughly enjoys his time in the water.

The activities that he does in the water with Stacey stimulate his mind and it is clear the time he spends at Aqua Dogs has helped him develop into a calm and responsive dog”.