Helping Every Kind of Patient Thrive
Every day, Peak Paws treats an incredibly diverse patient population.
“We really see people of a rapidly growing variety. We see many pet owners seeking arthritis pain management for their pets, and many sporting dogs use our underwater treadmills to help them perform at their best, going on to compete in world competitions. We see patients from as far as four hours away.
From senior dogs struggling with arthritis to elite canine athletes preparing for agility, flyball, dock diving, and other competitive sports, every rehabilitation plan is customized around the individual patient.
That treatment extends well beyond walking on an underwater treadmill.
“We do a lot of lateral movements like side stepping, going in circles, working on unstable surfaces, and other exercises like that. The treadmill really helps improve stride length while allowing us to build strength safely.”
The clinic has also seen remarkable success helping orthopedic patients avoid more invasive treatment.
“We have been able to condition some dogs back from a mild Grade 1 medial patellar luxation. By getting them into the treadmill and building up their muscular strength, we’ve been able to help stabilize that condition. The key to managing arthritis is actually exercise.”
Why Peak Paws Chose HydroWorx
As demand for rehabilitation services continued to grow, Peak Paws realized they needed equipment that could keep pace.
“We started designing about five years ago, and we had an Oasis at the time. Now, not everything was working perfectly, and we used it 12 hours a day, five days a week. So, we started looking for another manufacturer, and that’s how we found HydroWorx.”
Today, HydroWorx K900 underwater treadmills have become the backbone of the clinic’s rehabilitation program.
“Something we really like about the HydroWorx K900 is the two-door entry so the dogs don’t have to turn around, and certainly the clear sides so we can see what the patient is doing. But what our operations manager was most impressed with was the maintenance, making sure they are running and that we can have someone from HydroWorx come onsite and service them whenever needed.”
The clinic also appreciated HydroWorx’s thoughtful design from both the patient’s and clinician’s perspective.
“I think the difference in using the HydroWorx machines compared to others is that the dogs liked the fact that they could see where they are going, so they can get in and out easier. The higher ramps also make it much easier on our staff because they aren’t bending over as far to monitor the dogs. It has really been a seamless transition for everyone. Having two treadmills has also been wonderful because we’re not limited in which dogs we can treat. And the 95-degree water helps tremendously.”
Planning for growth was another important factor.
“We continued to design more layout because at some point we wanted to grow and plan accordingly so we didn’t go down completely. Honestly, they are being used 12 hours a day, five days a week and we still had people on a waitlist for our underwater treadmill services.”
Aquatic Therapy Built Around Every Patient
Peak Paws maximizes every HydroWorx system throughout the day.
“For each HydroWorx unit we at least put 10 dogs in it every day. We have a staff of three full-time doctors and ten full-time staff, so they are utilized all day long. Our appointments begin around 8 a.m. and can continue until 8 p.m., so the treadmills stay busy.”
One of the greatest advantages of HydroWorx technology is the ability to customize each therapy session by adjusting the water level.
“So, in the treadmill we look at water height. There is good research showing what joints you are working on, range of motion, and what muscles are firing depending on the water level.”
For senior dogs with arthritis, the water is raised higher to provide buoyancy while still encouraging strength and range of motion.
“For our senior dogs where we are trying to build up their strength, the water is usually around their hip level so they get buoyancy from the water, but we are still working on range of motion, flexion and extension of their hips, and strengthening against the resistance of the water.”
Sporting dogs receive a completely different program.
“Our sporting dogs are using it primarily for conditioning. We lower the water to around their knees, so they have to work much harder, often trotting on an incline. They’re pushing against the resistance to build strength and endurance before returning to flyball, dock diving, agility, or whatever sport they compete in.”
By tailoring water depth, treadmill speed, incline, and exercise selection, Peak Paws creates individualized rehabilitation programs that help every dog reach its own goals.
Rehabilitation Centered Around Trust
At Peak Paws, rehabilitation is about much more than recovering from an injury.
It’s about empowering owners through education, creating individualized treatment plans, building lasting relationships, and giving every patient the opportunity to move comfortably and confidently throughout every stage of life.
Whether it’s an aging Labrador rediscovering daily walks, a dog recovering from orthopedic challenges, or a world-class agility competitor preparing for its next event, every patient receives the same compassionate care.
By combining expert rehabilitation, HydroWorx technology, and an unwavering commitment to partnership with pet owners, Peak Paws has created far more than a rehabilitation center.
They’ve built a place where pets heal, owners become part of the journey, and every success is celebrated together.