Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre

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Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre Our Centre provides physical rehabilitation treatment programs for Canines following surgery or injury. Please check out our online store.

Veterinary Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, K9 Swimming Pool, Underwater Treadmill, Post-Surgical Boarding, Respite care for dogs with special needs, Dog wheelchairs and mobility aids Our facility includes Canine Hydrotherapy & Physiotherapy, a full Fitness / Show Conditioning program for show dogs, Soft Tissue / Bowen therapy, , a boarding in-patient facility for dogs and a 12 meter indoor heated dog pool. We also make a wide range of mobility aids for mobility impaired pets and Aussie Dog Wheelchairs (dog carts) for disabled pets. We are the proud manufacturers of the only Australian made Pet Wheelchair. Our products are shipped world wide. All pets that feature on our page are with permission from their owners.

22/10/2026

☀️🐾 SUNSHINE, WALKS & HOT PAWS! 🐾☀️

We love seeing dogs out enjoying a walk on a beautiful sunny day, but did you know that when the outside temperature is just 25°C, surfaces like concrete and asphalt can reach temperatures of around 50–52°C? 🔥

That’s hot enough to cause painful burns to your dog’s paw pads in as little as a minute! 😢

Our dogs can’t put on shoes to protect their feet, so it’s up to us to keep their paws safe.

🐾 Our golden rule: If you can't comfortably walk on the surface in bare feet, neither should your dog!

☀️ A few simple ways to protect those precious paws:
🐶 Walk early in the morning or later in the evening when surfaces are cooler.
🌿 Choose grassy, shaded routes wherever possible.
✋ Test the pavement with the back of your hand for 7 seconds. If it’s too hot to hold comfortably, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
❤️ Remember, even if the air feels comfortable, the ground can be dangerously hot!

Let's keep those tails wagging and those paws safe this summer! 🐕💙🧡

Please SHARE to help spread the word and protect our four-legged friends!

21/10/2026

💙🐾 Meet Gorgeous Clifford! His First Swim at Aquapaws! 🐾💙

Just look at this gorgeous boy! 🥰 Clifford had his very first swim with us today, and we’re so proud of how far he has come already!

Clifford has osteoarthritis in both hips and weakness in his back legs, making everyday activities a little more challenging. Getting up in the morning is harder, his walks are getting slower, and jumping into the car is no longer as easy as it once was. And, well… being a little on the cuddly side means those extra kilos aren't helping! ❤️🐶

When Clifford first started his rehabilitation journey at Aquapaws, we began with our underwater treadmill. This was a great way to gently build his strength and endurance while taking some of the weight off his sore joints. With his reduced stamina, we needed to start slowly and build him up at a pace that suited him.

Today, Clifford reached an exciting milestone — his very first swim! 🏊‍♂️💦

Swimming allows Clifford to exercise with minimal impact on his hips, helping him build muscle strength, improve fitness and burn energy to assist with weight management, all while being gentle on his arthritic joints.

💙 Why is this so important for dogs like Clifford?
🐾 Stronger muscles to support painful joints
🐾 Improved fitness and stamina
🐾 Low-impact exercise to help manage osteoarthritis
🐾 Support with healthy weight management
🐾 Helping maintain mobility and quality of life for longer

At Aquapaws, we believe rehabilitation is about more than just exercise. It’s about helping our dogs stay comfortable, mobile and able to enjoy all those little things that make life wonderful.

Well done, Clifford! We can’t wait to see you continue to grow stronger and more confident. ❤️

Adding years to their life and life to their years. 🐾💙🧡

🐾💙 WHY DOES YOUR DOG NEED A REMEDIAL MASSAGE? 💙🐾Did you know that dogs can benefit from remedial massage just as much as...
20/10/2026

🐾💙 WHY DOES YOUR DOG NEED A REMEDIAL MASSAGE? 💙🐾

Did you know that dogs can benefit from remedial massage just as much as we do? 🐶✨

Whether your dog is a sporting superstar, an active adventurer, a senior citizen or recovering from an injury, remedial massage can be a wonderful addition to their wellness and rehabilitation routine!

💆‍♀️ The benefits of remedial massage for dogs include:

🐾 Relieves Muscle Tension – Helps ease tight, overworked muscles and reduce muscular discomfort.

🐾 Improves Flexibility & Mobility – Supports comfortable movement and helps maintain a good range of motion.

🐾 Encourages Circulation – Massage can help promote local blood flow to the tissues being treated.

🐾 Supports Recovery – When appropriately incorporated into a rehabilitation program, massage can assist with managing muscle tension associated with injury and recovery.

🐾 Helps Sporting & Working Dogs – Great for active dogs involved in agility, flyball, dock diving, showing and other canine sports.

🐾 Supports Senior Dogs – Can help older dogs feel more comfortable by addressing muscular tension associated with age-related changes and altered movement patterns.

🐾 Promotes Relaxation – A gentle, hands-on treatment can help your dog relax and enjoy some well-deserved TLC. ❤️

🐕 Is remedial massage right for your dog?

From the weekend warrior to the couch-loving senior, every dog deserves to feel comfortable in their body!

At Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation & Fitness Centre, remedial massage can be incorporated into an individualised care plan to complement physiotherapy and hydrotherapy where appropriate.

Our goal is simple: helping your dog move more comfortably, stay active and enjoy life to the fullest! 💙🧡

📍 Contact Aquapaws to find out how remedial massage could benefit your four-legged friend.
☎️03 59 77 88 41

Aquapaws – adding years to their life and life to their years. 🐾

19/10/2026

🎉 DISCHARGE DAY FOR MILLER! 🎉🐾

Today is a very special day at Aquapaws as we celebrate Miller completing her rehabilitation following a gracilis muscle tear! 💙🧡

So, what exactly is a gracilis tear, and why is rehabilitation so important?

🐕 What is a gracilis muscle tear?

The gracilis is a long, thin muscle located on the inside of the hind leg. It helps control movement of the thigh and contributes to normal hindlimb function.

When this muscle is torn, it can cause pain, lameness, reduced strength and changes in the way a dog moves. Healing can take time, and scar tissue may develop within the injured muscle, potentially affecting flexibility and normal function.

💧 How did rehabilitation help Miller?

Rehabilitation is about much more than simply waiting for an injury to heal. It helps dogs progressively regain strength, mobility and confidence as they return to their normal activities.

Miller's rehabilitation program incorporated several important elements:

💦 Hydrotherapy – Controlled exercise in water can help improve mobility, maintain muscle conditioning and encourage movement while reducing some of the weight-bearing demands placed on the limbs.

💪 Progressive strengthening – Carefully planned exercise helps rebuild strength, improve coordination and support a more normal movement pattern as healing progresses.

🔴 Cold laser therapy (photobiomodulation) – Cold laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissues. It may help support the body's healing processes and assist with managing pain and inflammation, making it a useful adjunct to a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

🎯 Individualised rehabilitation – Miller's exercises and treatments were tailored to her needs, with activity progressed appropriately to help restore function without placing excessive strain on the healing muscle.

❤️ Preparing for life beyond rehab – The goal is to help Miller return to her everyday activities with improved strength, mobility and confidence, while ensuring exercise continues to progress safely.

🎉 Today, Miller graduates from rehabilitation!

We are so pleased to celebrate this milestone with Miller and her family. Recovering from a muscle injury takes patience, consistency and teamwork, and rehabilitation plays an important role in helping dogs get back on their paws.

From all of us at Aquapaws, we wish Miller many more happy, comfortable and active adventures ahead! 🐾💙🧡

Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation & Fitness Centre

Adding years to their life and life to their years. 💙🧡

14/10/2026

Hi, my name is Bensen. I learnt to swim all by myself!

12/10/2026

🐾 MARLOW’S IVDD REHABILITATION JOURNEY – 13 WEEKS OF PROGRESS! 🐾

When Marlow came to Aquapaws, he was recovering from surgery for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and was classified as Stage 4. He had a long road ahead of him, but with a tailored rehabilitation plan, patience and plenty of dedication, Marlow has made fantastic progress!

✨ 13 weeks later, Marlow has been discharged and is doing super well! ✨

So, what happens in a tailored rehabilitation plan?

Every dog is different, and rehabilitation is never a one-size-fits-all approach. At Aquapaws, we assess each dog individually and adapt their programme as they progress.

💙 1. Individual assessment
We assess mobility, muscle strength, limb movement, coordination and the ability to stand and walk. We also consider the surgery performed, neurological function and the advice of the treating veterinary team.

🧡 2. Rebuilding strength and movement
Carefully selected physiotherapy exercises help maintain joint mobility, activate muscles, improve body awareness and gradually rebuild strength.

💙 3. Hydrotherapy provides a controlled environment for movement and strengthening. The underwater treadmill allows us to adjust the water depth and exercise intensity to suit the dog’s abilities.

🧡 4. Balance, coordination and walking
As your dog improves, we progressively introduce exercises to encourage better paw placement, balance, weight-bearing and more coordinated movement.

💙 5. A home exercise programme
Rehabilitation doesn't stop when a dog leaves our centre. Owners play an important role in continuing prescribed exercises, following activity restrictions and monitoring progress at home.

🧡 6. Ongoing assessment and adjustments
We continually review how each dog responds to treatment. Exercises and treatment intensity are adjusted as strength, mobility and neurological function change.

🐶 Marlow’s story is a wonderful reminder that recovery is a journey, not a race.

There is no single programme that suits every dog recovering from IVDD. A carefully tailored approach, guided by qualified rehabilitation professionals and the veterinary team, helps ensure that each dog receives support appropriate to their individual needs.

At Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation & Fitness Centre, we are passionate about helping dogs regain mobility, confidence and quality of life.

Because every step forward matters. 💙🧡

🐾💙 HAPPY VET NURSE DAY! 💙🐾Today we celebrate the incredible veterinary nurses who give so much of themselves to caring f...
08/10/2026

🐾💙 HAPPY VET NURSE DAY! 💙🐾

Today we celebrate the incredible veterinary nurses who give so much of themselves to caring for our four-legged family members. 🐶🐱

Vet nurses are truly amazing! You are the caring hands, the comforting voices, the extra cuddles and the reassuring presence that makes such a difference when our pets need it most. From assisting with procedures and nursing patients back to health, to comforting worried owners and going above and beyond every single day, the work you do is invaluable. ❤️

Your compassion, dedication, patience and love for animals do not go unnoticed. The veterinary world simply wouldn't be the same without you!

🧡 A LITTLE THANK YOU FROM AQUAPAWS! 💙

To all the amazing vet nurses out there, we want to give a little something back!

🐾 TODAY THE SWIMS ARE ON US! 🐾

Because you spend so much of your time caring for everyone else's pets, we think it's time you let your own four-legged best friend enjoy a little extra fun!

From all of us at Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation & Fitness Centre, thank you for everything you do. We appreciate you more than words can say!

Today is your day, and you deserve to be celebrated. 💙🧡

Tag a wonderful vet nurse who deserves a big THANK YOU! 🐾

Call us on 59 77 88 41 to let us know you are coming :)

08/10/2026

🐾 Meet Elvis, an expert at hiding pain.

Elvis is currently 4 weeks post-op from his second TPLO surgery. That's right — he has had both cruciate ligaments repaired within just 10 weeks.

Like many dogs, Elvis was a master at masking discomfort. He still ran around, loved going for walks, and did everything you would expect a happy, active dog to do. To most people, he looked completely normal.

The subtle signs were easy to miss. He stopped jumping into the car and would spend much of the day sleeping after his park adventures. This was unusual for Elvis, as he is not an old dog and had always been full of energy.

Dogs are incredibly good at hiding pain. Many continue to run, play and enjoy life despite significant discomfort, making it easy to assume everything is fine. Often, the signs are subtle changes in behaviour, activity levels, recovery after exercise, or a reluctance to do things they once enjoyed. Research and veterinary professionals consistently recognise that dogs instinctively mask pain and that behavioural changes are often the earliest warning signs.

Elvis is a great reminder that pain isn't always obvious. By the time a dog starts limping or refusing walks, they may have been compensating for pain for quite some time.

Today, Elvis is progressing well through his rehabilitation journey and rebuilding strength following surgery. We can't wait to watch him continue to improve. ❤️

📖 Want to learn more about the subtle signs of pain in dogs?

Check out our latest blog:
Why Dogs Hide Their Pain: Understanding the Silent Signs of Discomfort

"If Elvis could talk, he would have told us his knees hurt long before he started showing us."

https://www.aquapaws.com.au/Why-Dogs-Hide-Their-Pain-Understanding-the-Silent-Signs-of-Discomfort/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

02/10/2026

Meet Ari 💙

Ari has Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy (GOLPP), a condition that affects the nerves throughout the body. While many people recognise the breathing changes associated with laryngeal paralysis, the condition can also lead to weakness in the hind limbs, reduced coordination, muscle loss and difficulty with mobility.

For Ari, the underwater treadmill is a better choice than swimming. While swimming is excellent exercise for many dogs, it requires significant effort from the respiratory system. Dogs with GOLPP can already have compromised airway function, making swimming more physically demanding.

The underwater treadmill allows Ari to exercise in a controlled, supported environment where the water provides buoyancy to reduce the load on his joints and muscles, while still encouraging him to use his legs and build strength. The water level, speed and duration can all be carefully adjusted to suit his individual needs, helping him exercise safely without overtaxing his breathing.

Ari is doing a fantastic job in his rehabilitation sessions, and every step he takes helps maintain his strength, mobility and quality of life. 🐾

29/09/2026

🐾 Not every dog loves the underwater treadmill! 💦

Meet Pano! ❤️

Pano is recovering from spinal surgery and, like some dogs, he finds the underwater treadmill quite stressful and simply doesn’t want to walk in it.

But swimming? He LOVES it! 🏊‍♂️🐾

Swimming gives Pano the opportunity to move his legs in a low-impact environment while keeping him happy and relaxed. With his human helping to gently stabilise his spine, Pano is feeling confident enough to start using those legs again. 💪

Every dog is different, and rehabilitation isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Sometimes we need to find the activity that makes a dog feel comfortable, confident and willing to move.

For Pano, that activity is definitely swimming! ❤️💦

Address

32 Lower Somerville Road
Somerville, VIC
3912

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm
Thursday 9:30am - 1pm
Friday 9:30am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 1pm

Telephone

+61359778841

Website

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