We are sure that you have many questions. The below questions/answers will help you with the frequently asked questions. If you have a question about dog swimming pools, canine rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, physical therapy and more, we can answer it.
Please contact us if you don’t find the answer to your question. You can reach us at 303-762-7946 or contact us.
The first step is to schedule a rehabilitation evaluation with CRCG. This initial visit is not a medical diagnosis. Your primary veterinarian will continue to oversee your dog’s overall health and medical care. During the rehabilitation evaluation, a certified canine rehabilitation therapist focuses on how your dog moves, functions, and compensates for their condition. Even dogs with the same diagnosis can have very different mobility challenges, strength levels, or pain responses. This is why a personalized assessment is essential. The rehabilitation exam helps identify functional limitations and establishes measurable goals for therapy. Based on these findings, the therapist will create a customized treatment plan designed specifically for your dog’s needs. This rehabilitation plan may include a combination of hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercises, laser therapy, massage, and other hands-on manual techniques, along with an individualized home exercise program tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
Yes, we do ask that an appointment is made for the first recreational swim at our facility. If you want your dog to be alone in the pool, you will want to schedule reserved pool time. Those times are Sunday from 1-5, MWF from 9a – 11a, T/Th from 1p – 7p. Note that there are different fees for recreational vs reserved pool. Please be sure to allow at least an hour before closing time to ensure that your dog has enough time in the pool!
Due to health code regulations, we do not allow clients in the pool. Staff will accompany your dog in the pool if necessary, during the orientation. If assistance is needed for your dog after the orientation, additional charges apply to have staff assist your dog in the pool.
The orientation will start with a brief tour to acquaint you with the facility and where to take your dog for potty breaks. We will outfit your dog with a life jacket. ALL dogs are required to wear a life jacket during the orientation, which can be removed once the dog is using the ramp and getting in and out of the pool on his or her own. Then we will take your dog into the pool area and introduce him or her to the water. The ramp presents the biggest challenge for swimmers new to our facility, even those who are experienced swimmers. We will work with your dog to help them get the hang of using the ramp to get in and out of the pool. Once your dog is confidently using the ramp and is comfortably getting in and out of the pool, you are free to use the pool on your own. If your dog needs a bit more work to get comfortable, we have a few tricks to help things along! Some dogs need more than one visit to get the hang of swimming, and some dogs prefer other forms of exercise. The orientation will give you a good idea of your dog’s swimming aptitude but it is not the be-all, end-all. We do hear from clients that their dog will swim in lakes and rivers but not in our pool. If your dog won’t swim in our pool, it certainly does not mean that your dog will never swim!
All rehab clients start their rehabilitation program with an evaluation appointment.
In this appointment, you will meet with the practitioner to talk through the concerns and set goals for the session. After that, you’ll be given an at-home plan of stretches and exercises to support the rehabilitation work, followed by the hands-on treatment. Treatment can include hydrotherapy such as a variable-current pool or an underwater treadmill, along with laser therapy, tissue mobilization, pulsewave, PEMF, ultrasound, or a tailored mix of these options. Your practitioner will create a treatment plan, so you understand how often sessions are recommended and how long the overall program may last. Many clients begin with weekly visits, though the schedule can be adjusted based on availability, budget, and your dog’s specific needs.
Usually, we ask that you wait 2 weeks at least before swimming after a spay or neuter. In most cases, skin staples and stitches are removed around that time. Even when internal stitches are left in place and don’t need removal, the body still requires about two weeks to create a firm healing bond between the skin and the underlying tissues of the scrotum or abdomen. Swimming makes your body work hard, especially your core, so putting extra strain on those muscles can lead to soreness and inflammation, which may sometimes trigger other issues.
Rehabilitation focuses on evaluating, improving, and preserving a dog’s mobility and overall physical function. In partnership with you, your veterinarian, and sometimes other animal-health professionals, a rehabilitation practitioner creates a plan to support the pet’s best possible comfort, movement, and quality of life using therapies such as hydrotherapy, laser, pulsewave, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, acupuncture, and ultrasound. Treatment is designed to reduce pain, restore the normal range of motion, enhance function, help prevent future injuries, and build the patient’s physical capabilities. At CRCG, “recreation” broadly refers to the activities you and/or your dog choose to make your free time more fun, engaging, and rewarding. Open swim time in our indoor pool is classified as recreational and for healthy dogs (without orthopedic or neurological issues).
Before beginning treatment, a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist/Practitioner (CCRT/CCRP) will first review your dog’s medical history, then conduct a full evaluation—including general, neurological, and chiropractic assessments—while also examining all muscles and joints. In addition, the practitioner assesses range of motion, gait, weight-bearing ability, and muscle girth.
After the initial evaluation is complete, your CRCG therapist will partner with you to develop a personalized, thorough treatment plan. This plan is guided by the therapies we recommend, your rehabilitation goals, your feedback, and any other relevant factors.
Note: Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapists/Practitioners (CCRTs/CCRPs) are veterinarians or physical therapists who evaluate and treat dogs with health problems resulting from injury, disease, aging, or obesity. Rehabilitation therapists/practitioners also provide support in conditioning for sport and show dogs. Canine rehabilitation is an adjunct to veterinary medicine.
We will contact your veterinarian to get all the information needed for your first appointment.
To provide comprehensive rehabilitation therapy for dogs, CRCG’s Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapists/Practitioners (CCRT/CCRP) use tools and modalities such as a variable current pool, an underwater treadmill, ultrasound, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, hands-on massage, therapy/fitbone, and other specialized equipment.
Our therapy options range from hydrotherapy and hands-on tissue mobilization to advanced modalities such as cold laser, pulsewave, therapeutic ultrasound, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, PEMF, Vetkin taping, along with guided exercise programs.
You’re welcome to stay with your dog at all times; CRCG actually encourages owners to be present. Your support and attention can play a vital role in your dog’s rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation practitioner will cover the policies and procedures for observing and/or participating in a treatment session. As part of CRCG’s treatment philosophy, we place strong emphasis on educating owners. This guidance is tailored to your dog’s specific needs, your comfort level and abilities, and other factors in the care plan. We’ll show you suitable at-home activities such as strengthening exercises, massage techniques, and stretching routines so you can confidently support your dog’s progress.
A key element of CRCG’s treatment approach is educating and guiding owners. This instruction is tailored to your dog’s specific needs, your ability to perform the tasks, and any other factors included in the care plan. You’ll be shown suitable at-home activities such as strengthening exercises, massage techniques, and stretching routines. Rehabilitation relies on consistent follow-through outside of appointments, so home participation is essential. When appropriate, CRCG may also supply handouts, forms, or other written resources to support the information shared verbally.
CRCG will reach out to your family veterinarian to obtain the referral details and relevant medical history before your pet’s first evaluation. If you prefer to bring the referral form to your vet at an upcoming visit, you can request one by calling CRCG, downloading it from our website, or asking your veterinarian to submit the information through our online form. (refer to our forms page for details).
The rehabilitation practitioners of CRCG strive to provide an environment that is fun and safe for your dog and to help your dog feel safe and comfortable. There are many times when a dog is fearful when it first is introduced to water and then learns to love to swim and play in the water. Most dogs who do not know how to swim can also be taught to swim in the variable current pool or underwater treadmill. With the underwater treadmill, the water flow and level may be controlled so as to avoid any “panic.” Some dogs wear a life jacket and all dogs are supervised and assisted.
On the recreational side, we will work with you and your dog to learn how to use the ramp into and out of the pool and help get him or her comfortable with swimming in a pool. There are some cases, however, of dogs that cannot be taught to swim.
For dogs who do not react adversely to submersion, the pool water is safe. To ensure high standards of hygiene, CRCG’s water management system filters, heats, and sanitizes the water through a circulation pump, a specially designed in-line electric heater, and a high-rate sand filter system. The recreational pools are fresh-water (chemical-free). To ensure high standards of hygiene, CRCG’s water management system filters, heats and sanitizes the water through a copper ionization system.
Some of our clients have found the variable current pool or treadmill to be better than the recreation pool for dedicated, supervised, and independent exercise. Owners who want to condition their dog for specific shows or sporting events also find these options beneficial. Regarding treatment for older dogs or dogs recovering from an injury or surgery, our therapists will define a plan that may or may not include hydrotherapy. Please contact us and discuss your dog’s situation and condition so that we can best help you.
Please arrive for your first appointment and every visit after with your dog freshly brushed and clean. This helps protect our pools, which can be affected by excess dirt and loose hair. For safety, all dogs must remain on a leash while inside the clinic, so be sure to bring your dog’s collar and a leash.
While CRCG supplies plenty of balls and other toys, you’re welcome to bring along your dog’s favorite toy to provide a little extra motivation. Please note that dog treats are not permitted in the pool area.