Front Matter

Chapter 9 Aquatic Therapy 211

disadvantageous for patients that are anxious,
thrashing, or deconditioned. Swimming or
UWTM sessions will vary based on patient
aptitude, comfort level, condition, fitness, and
even coat length as longer hair increases
resistance and drag.
When applying these fluid dynamic princi-
ples to dogs as they swim, the hydrodynamic
forces create a pressure differential between the
thoracic (high pressure) and pelvic (low pres-
sure) limbs. Resulting eddies create tail suction,
skin friction, and drag on the pelvic limbs. The
pelvic limbs should respond with powerful
kicking or they will sink. When a dog uses
the  pelvic limbs correctly the topline is at the
water’s surface. When the thoracic limbs, back,
and tail are all fully under water, it is an
indication that the pelvic limbs might be being
used, but not fully. When the pelvic limbs are
not used, the back is fully submerged and
the  thoracic limbs break the surface causing
splashing (Catavitello et al., 2015).
Pressure differentials and turbulence
challenge the postural muscles and balance

mechanisms. This is advantageous for patients

with balance and coordination impairments

or those needing paraspinal and abdominal

muscle strengthening.

Resistance

Resistance is controlled by speed, but surface

area and equipment can also contribute (Abidin

et  al., 1988; Bates & Hanson, 1992; Ruoti et  al.,

1997). The speed of water flow is controlled

with resistance jets (pool) or tread speed

(UWTM). Surface area is controlled by water

depth and equipment such as life vests, resist-

ance mitts, balloons, and leg weights. Increased

speed maximizes the plane effect when swim-

ming, decreasing surface area in the water, and

therefore decreasing resistance.

Therapeutic swimming

Muscles are used differently when swimming

than when weight bearing on land (Bates &

Hanson, 1992). The authors have observed

greater active range of motion of canine shoul-

ders and elbows in swimming when compared

to land walking. Aquatic therapy increases the

comprehensive challenge to coordination, bal-

ance, and kinesthetic movement mechanisms

(Bates & Hanson, 1992). Stimulating neurore-

ceptors with swimming enhances early land

walking in human patients (Bates & Hanson,

1992; Grosee, 2009). The authors believe that

these kinesthetic movement mechanisms also

apply to dogs. Tetraparetic dogs can stand in

water with minimal assistance or can swim

using multiple limbs before they are able to

stand or walk on land.

Designing an aquatic conditioning

program for the canine athlete

Canine athletes use swimming for effective

rehabilitation treatment after injury or sur-

gery and for cross training (Zink, 1997;

Millis  & Levine, 2013). Service dogs, search

and rescue dogs, and K‐9 corps members

benefit from the physical and psychological

advantages of swimming, and conformation

Figure 9.1 Turbulence using resistance jets increases
strength training and cardiopulmonary fitness.