Micky has consistently been going to hydro therapy here at our Fitness Center in Dogtown Heights for over a month. Micky attends hydro on Mondays and Thursdays and spends about 20 minutes in the tank. Micky is not using the treadmill at this time, but walks around the tank accepting treats readily and improving day by day. We attempted to try him with the treadmill a couple weeks ago, but unfortunately it moves just a little too fast for him. It is something we may try again in the future but for right now he is still getting the therapy he needs without the fear of the moving treadmill.
He appears to really enjoy going to hydro. When we pull up to the building he can’t get out of my car, or golf cart fast enough, ready to start his exercise. Once in the building he either immediately runs to the tank or on the bed next to the tank, staring up at us with those big eyes, asking “are we gonna start or what?” Once in the tank Micky walks back and forth, back and forth receiving a treat every time he makes it to one end then the other. It’s a good thing he is pretty food motivated, and I guess it helps that he only gets half of his morning meal on the days he goes to hydro. The only hurtle we have come across is his obsession to drink the water. It is weird, because he doesn’t always want to drink the water, but there are some days were he just can’t get enough. We have offered him water before getting in the tank and even offered him a bowl of water in the tank, but he would rather have the tank water instead. Of course we discourage it the best we can, and is usually not that difficult since we always have a bunch of treats available.
After Micky’s 20 minutes of walking around the tank, he gets a quick rinse in the groom tub and then his favorite part of being dried off. When Micky is being dried with a towel he does the cute flea biting on the towel or your sleeve and often will start play bowing. Once his collar is back on he knows it’s time to go and runs to the door. It’s amazing to see how fast Micky has learned this routine. He pretty much does the same thing arriving, during and leaving hydro.
Everything is going fabulously and I notice a difference after every visit. Not only has hydro helped his physical being, but it has also helped with his confidence as well.
Micky you are one brave boy! Keep up the good work handsome!
