We offer massage and hydrotherapy service for horses and dogs to aid in healing of soft tissue injuries or post surgery. To aid in relief of muscle stiffness in athletic and older animals.
Contact us for more infomation
NEW...WE NOW OFFER PUPPY ORIENTATION TO SWIMMING SESSIONS
Shari's Quest Canine Well-Being at Sierra Springs
- The utmost care is taken of the animals undergoing any form of care and in the maintenance of the water & equipment here at Sierra. With that in mind, all animals receive care and swim entirely at their guardians risk.
- All forms of care, including those to be part of an insurance claim, must be paid for in advance. Individual sessions must be paid for on the day of treatment.
- We ask for your consideration and give us 24 hours notice of cancellation.
- We work with your veterinarian and keep them "in the loop" to ensure all care you animal receives is appropriate and beneficial for him/her.
- Animals with infectious or contagious conditions, such as ear, eye, skin or respiratory infections, gastric upset, kennel cough and so on will not be treated. Guardians are advised to cancel appointments until the infection is cleared up.
- Females in season will not be able to attend swimming sessions until their season has finished.
- Up to date vaccinations must be ensured prior to commencement of care.
- Single swim sessions will only be permitted after the initial orientation and 3 swim sessions (within 7 days).
- Animal guardians are required to notify us immediately if, during a course of care, the animals injury or condition worsens, or if the veterinarian advises that the care be stopped or suspended.
- Although the animal care specialists at Sierra Springs will do what they can to help an animal, we reserve the right to refuse to give care to any animal.
- Please do not feed your animal for at least 2 hours before swimming and up to one hour after swimming.
- Please ensure that your dog has emptied its bowels before arriving. A surcharge of $15.00 will be made for animals that defecate in the pool. (as we have to close the pool in order to disinfect it). We also advise not to feed for approx. 1 hour after swimming.
- When not undergoing care, and outside the building, all animals will be kept under control and must be on a lead at all times. Animals unable to walk without assistance are not required to be kept on a lead.
- It is the guardians responsibility to poop-a-scoop after their dogs, while on company premises and its surrounding land. There is a bucket outside, on the way into the building for your use. You are requested to only allow your dog to relieve itself in the area posted.
- Shari's Quest, Sierra Springs, the owners and staff will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to person, animal, vehicles or personal property, while on the premises.
- Shari's Quest and Sierra Springs reserves the right to use video footage and photographic stills taken during sessions for marketing, promotional material, literature, books, programs, seminars and any other business-related reasons.
- When visiting Sierra Springs you are advised to wear sensible shoes with non-slip soles. The floor in the pool room does become very wet during swimming session and it may become slippery.
- Dogs must be well-groomed and clean. A muddy, sandy or "dirty" dog will not be swimming in the pool. In the summer months, they may swim in the lake, with supervision.
- For swim sessions, please bring your own towel for your animal as well as a cover for you car seat.
Benefits of Massaging Animals
It's been proven that animals benefit greatly from massage techniques.
Massage will:
- Improve circulation of blood and lymph which as a result increases oxygenation and nutrient availability while removing toxic metabolic waste from the cells and tissues of the body.
- Release contracted muscles.
- Increases flexibility and elasticity of the muscles by loosening muscle fibres.
- Improves movement and range of motion thereby decreasing gait restrictions.
- Promotes relaxation of the nervous system and the musculo-skeletal system
- Improves the bond between animal and human.
- Releases stress and tension.
- Increase performance level at shows and events
- Reduce recovery time.
- Bring about an all-around improvement in mind, body and spirit.
Often overlooked and under appreciated, massage can effectively and naturally help alleviate many physiological and physiological problems.
As awareness grows and misconceptions fade regarding the value of massage, more and more people are discovering for themselves and for their animals, the amazing benefits of massage.
Canine athletes involved in physically challenging sports such as agility, fly ball, various levels of obedience, or dogs involved in mentally and physically demanding work such as search and rescue, police K-9 units and guide dogs benefit greatly from massage. Not to forget companion dogs, including older, injured and dogs recovering from surgery, as they also benefit and respond very positively in many ways to massage.
Equine Massage is being used around the world to enhance the performance of horses that participate in endurance, dressage, jumping, racing, cutting ,ranch, police work and many other disciplines. As with our dog friends, horses who have been injured, are recovering from surgery or have been abused in some way, are being transformed by people who care and are taking the time and energy to help them with massage.
Unlike human beings, animals are unable to say , "I'm sore, I don't want to do this today." Instead, our animals will communicate non-verbally. For example, if you see your animal is:
- tossing / shaking their head
- stumbling/ dragging a foot/ limping
- refusing or resisting leads (horses)
- has shortened strides
- seems to be unhappy or depressed
- appears unable to get comfortable…then he could be experiencing
- pain caused by stress-points, trigger points, muscle spasm/ tension which
- can be helped greatly by massage.
REMEMBER, massage is not a replacement for veterinary care. If your animal has any of the above mentioned problems or symptoms, it's a good idea to see a veterinarian first.
As with everything you do with animals, remember communication and respect is key.
We all have our "baggage" from life experiences and for our own health should learn to let go of these confines and open up to the possibilities that await.
Animals pick up on the way we are feeling and what we are thinking, so it's very important to be completely "there" with them.
When we set out to help an animal we must leave our responsibilities and worries behind. Get out of our "heads" and get into our hearts and watch the magic take place with our animals.
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Benefits of swimming for your dog
Swimming has the benefit of achieving improved muscular strength and tone, while working the cardio-vascular and respiratory systems, without the impact of concussive exercise and the associated damage that it may cause.
VIEW OUR VIDEO ON SWIM THERAPY
Because water resistance is greater than air resistance, muscles have to work harder for a similar movement on land. As well, the heart and lungs will have a good work-out as a result.
It may surprise you to know that for a dog, 1 minutes' swimming is equivalent to about 4 minutes of running, according to Dr Arleigh Reynolds, a Veterinary Surgeon and Canine Physiologist.
Swimming can be used as a supplementary form of exercise to improve strength and stamina.
Stronger, toned muscles help to protect dogs against injuries sustained during normal exercise, such as running or chasing a ball, or during more demanding exercise such as agility and flyball.
In healthy dogs, swimming should be used in conjunction with other exercise on land to ensure the dogs' bones are kept strong by sustaining good bone density.
For dogs with medical conditions that restrict or prohibit concussive exercise, swimming is very important to the dogs overall health and recovery.
For example, in the case of a any orthopedic surgery, it's important to build up the supporting muscle prior to the operation. However, walking and running are unsuitable forms of exercise, whereas swimming enables supported, non-concussive exercise to build the muscles.
After surgery, once the site has had an appropriate amount of time to mend (veterinary consultation is a must), swimming provides weightless exercise to improve joint movement, increase circulation and build supporting muscle, where concussive exercise such as walking can possibly cause damage to the newly reconstructed area.
In the case of an overweight dog, it can be difficult to give him/her sufficient exercise on land without over-stressing bones and joints. Swimming provides a form of supported exercise, which will burn calories and improve the metabolic rate.
As with any fitness program, you should expect to start gently and increase the exercise over time. Don't be surprised if your dog only swims for a few minutes or has a few short bursts to begin with. Gradually, as their fitness improves, they will be able to swim longer with fewer rests.
If the pool water is heated the dogs' muscles won't take as long to "warm up" which helps relaxation and assists blood flow. It also helps to reduce muscle spasm and improve the dogs' range of movement. Not to mention, if your dog is not that fond of swimming, the water temperature will make them more comfortable thereby making swimming much more enjoyable. The more they enjoy it, the harder they tend to work, and the more benefit they get from it.
As with everything you do with animals, remember communication and respect is key.
We all have our "baggage" from life experiences and for our own health should learn to let go of these confines and open up to the possibilities that await.
Animals pick up on the way we are feeling and what we are thinking, so it's very important to be completely "there" with them.
When we set out to help an animal we must leave our responsibilities and worries behind. Get out of our "heads" and get into our hearts and watch the magic unfold.
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