Since we put a year-round indoor pool at the center of Hobnob, one question comes up more than almost any other: “Is this hydrotherapy?” Sometimes the person asking has a dog recovering from knee surgery. Sometimes they have a seven-year-old Lab who is slowing down on walks. Sometimes they just read that swimming is good for dogs and want to know what to sign up for.
The short answer is that hydrotherapy and swimming use the same water but are different things, and knowing which one your dog needs saves you time, money and a lot of guessing.
What canine hydrotherapy actually is
Hydrotherapy is a treatment. It is usually prescribed or recommended by a veterinarian and delivered by a trained canine rehabilitation practitioner, often in a rehab clinic or a specialty practice. The tools vary: an underwater treadmill where the water level is set to take a precise share of the dog’s weight off the joints, a heated therapy pool, or one-on-one guided movement in the water.
What makes it therapy is the plan. A practitioner assesses the dog, sets goals such as rebuilding muscle after surgery or improving range of motion in a stiff hip, controls every variable, and adjusts session by session based on how the dog responds. It is common after orthopedic surgery like a cruciate ligament repair, for dogs with neurological conditions, and for some dogs with significant arthritis.
If your vet has used the words “rehab” or “post-op therapy” about your dog, that is the path you want, and your vet is the right person to refer you.
What a recreational swim is
A recreational swim is exercise. A healthy dog gets in the water and swims for the joy of it, and gets a lot of fitness along the way. Water carries most of a dog’s weight, so a swim works the legs, core, heart and lungs hard without the pounding of running on pavement or dried-out summer trails. We wrote about the benefits in more detail in our post on why an indoor pool beats the dog park.
That makes swimming one of the best all-around workouts for athletic dogs, for overweight dogs who need to move more without stressing their joints, and for many older dogs who have cleared it with their vet and simply need gentle, regular movement to stay strong. It is not a substitute for a rehab program, but for a lot of dogs it is the right thing to do between vet visits, or long after rehab has ended, to keep the gains.
Which one does your dog need?
A simple way to sort it out:
If your dog is recovering from surgery, has a new injury, has a neurological condition, or your vet is actively managing a mobility problem, start with your vet and a rehabilitation practitioner. Ask them when, or whether, recreational swimming can be added.
If your dog is healthy and full of energy, recreational swimming is a fantastic outlet, especially in a Denver winter when walks get short.
If your dog is a senior with stiff joints or mild arthritis that your vet is comfortable with exercise for, regular gentle swims can help keep them moving. Mention swimming to your vet at the next checkup; most are glad to hear it.
If you are not sure, ask your vet first. It is the honest answer, and it is the one we give at the front desk too.
How swimming works at Hobnob
To be clear about what we are: Hobnob is a daycare, hotel and pool, not a veterinary or rehabilitation clinic. Our pool is for recreational and assisted swims, and our staff are dog people, not therapists. What we offer is a great place for a healthy dog, or a vet-cleared senior, to swim.
The pool is indoors and open all year. It measures 13 by 19 feet and four feet deep, big enough for large dogs to really swim. We use a minimal amount of chlorine so the water is gentle on skin and coats, and there is a ramp so older dogs can walk in and out instead of being lifted or jumping.
There are two kinds of swims. Assisted swims are private swims, reserved throughout the day in twenty-minute sessions. Every first-time swimmer starts here, because we need to see how your dog handles the water before they join a group, and it is also the right choice for a cautious dog or a senior who does better without company in the pool.
Recreational swims are small group sessions of five to seven dogs, grouped by size and temperament, on weekdays from noon to 5:30pm by reservation. Each one is twenty minutes of splash time, with ten minutes to get in and out. Dogs in daycare or staying in the hotel can add a swim to their day, and drop-in swimmers are welcome with a reservation. Written proof of current vaccinations is required before the first swim.
You can see current swim prices, and request a reservation, on our swimming page. We offer discount packages for those with a real thirst for the water.
Making swims part of a routine
The dogs who get the most out of swimming are the ones who do it regularly. A swim once a week is a solid habit; more often is great for athletes or for dogs who need the extra movement in winter. Daycare dogs can book a full or half day with a swim included, which is an easy way to make it routine, and hotel guests can add a daily swim to any boarding stay.
If your dog is on a rehab plan, bring us what your practitioner recommends once they say recreational swimming is fine. We cannot run a therapy protocol, but we are happy to keep a cleared dog moving between appointments.
Come try the pool
Not sure your dog will even like the water? Most dogs learn to love it, and the first assisted swim is the place to find out. Request a swim on the swimming page, or call Lakewood at 303-233-8990 or the Denver Tech Center at 303-945-4449. We keep towels on hand for the humans, too. The post-swim shake does not discriminate.