01483 223312 | Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LE | bookings@oakridefarm.co.uk
Hydrotherapy
What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is much more than simply washing dogs — it’s a powerful therapeutic treatment designed to promote healing, improve mobility, and enhance overall wellbeing.
The term hydrotherapy originates from the Greek words meaning “water healing.” This practice dates back to 2400 BC, when it was first recognised that water could aid human recovery. In canine rehabilitation, hydrotherapy harnesses the unique properties of water to provide low-impact, non-weight-bearing exercise — either in a specially designed swimming pool or an underwater treadmill. These controlled aquatic environments help reduce joint stress, improve range of motion, and support safe, effective rehabilitation.
The Benefits of Water Therapy
Water has many remarkable properties that can work wonders on stiff joints, sore muscles, and general mobility — not to mention the wonderful feel-good factor dogs experience after each session.
Key therapeutic benefits include:
Buoyancy: Reduces weight and pressure on the joints, allowing for improved mobility and a greater range of motion.
Hydrostatic Pressure: Helps reduce inflammation and ease discomfort.
Thermal Temperature: The warm water (approximately 34°C) increases circulation, helping to flush out toxins and deliver oxygen to tired muscles.
Resistance, Viscosity, and Turbulence: Together, these elements enhance muscle strength, endurance, and overall conditioning.
When combined with the underwater treadmill, these properties allow dogs to achieve significant improvements in a safe, controlled environment.
Who Can Benefit?
Hydrotherapy is suitable for almost any dog — large or small, young or old — as long as your vet provides approval. Since Oak Ride Farm is registered with the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA), we require veterinary consent and a medical history before beginning treatment. This ensures we can tailor each session appropriately and safely to your dog’s individual needs.
Our Hydrotherapy Team
Our dedicated hydrotherapy team consists of Paula and Briony.
Paula brings over 25 years of experience to the role. She began her career at one of the UK’s earliest canine hydrotherapy pools and has developed extensive expertise in the field. After joining Oak Ride Farm in the kennels and cattery, her interest in the newly installed hydro treadmill reignited her passion for water-based therapy. She qualified as a hydrotherapist in October 2018 and has since continued her professional development, studying areas such as Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), Myofascial Release, and Canine Therapeutic Handling Techniques.
Briony is the newest member of the hydrotherapy team after joining us in April 2024.
She has always had a love for dogs having grown up around German Shephards, Jack Russels and Labradors.
On days when she is not in hydro you will find her either helping out in the kennels & cattery or at the local Celia Cross Greyhound Rescue where she has been a volunteer for 10 years encountering a number of ex racing, nervous and stray dogs.
For more information or to book a session, please contact us at hydro@oakridefarm.co.uk
Hydrotherapy Reviews
Kate Hunt
Teddy our Wire Haired Vizsla had a TPLO operation in December 2017 and unfortunately has been on a hard and long road to recovery complicated by infection and further surgery. Teddy and I arrived a year ago at Oak Ride Farm Hydro after he was referred for hydro by his physiotherapist. He was weak and still limping and was stuck in a cycle of weakness and inflammation unable to build muscle for fear of irritating the knee joint. I couldn't really see how short sessions of hydrotherapy could make much difference and was anxious as to how my sensitive Vizsla who had been through so much would tolerate the treatment. It was amazing even after the one trial session he gained confidence and attempted to weight bear more fully on dry land! I was so impressed with the way that Mandy and Carolyn gently won Teddy over getting him to happily climb into the treadmill without any fear because he felt their calmness and support. With their work and support he has improved steadily month on month and now I joy everyday at the recovered dog who trots ahead of me on walks everyday, weight bearing on all four limbs without a limp! A year on we keep going to hydro monthly to maintain the progress he has made and also because Teddy loves to go!
Mike Oborne
My thanks to Mandy, Carolyn and Paula at Oak Ride Farm Hydro for helping rehabilitate my dog Alfie following leg surgery, enabling him to walk well and confidently, and strengthening him to support his joints as he gets older.
The team have been professional from the start, discussing with me and progressively evolving Alfie's therapy over four months according to his needs and progress. They have always been kind and careful to put Alfie at ease and ensure he is safe; Alfie enjoys the sessions followed by a sleep in the car on the way home.
The facilities, time and teamwork put into the sessions is much appreciated, as are the results. If you are a potential customer I highly recommend that you have a free taster session to see how the team can help your pet too.
Sam Hatcher
I have been recommending Oak Ride Farm Hydrotherapy to anybody and everybody who owns a dog, whether it is for rehab or general fitness. My dogs absolutely love Mandy, Carolyn and Paula, who are always so good with them and always take the time to ensure that the dogs are moving at a pace that is suitable for them as individuals. They take lots of time getting to know the dogs and continue to assess them throughout the process. The facilities are fantastic and the service always brilliant, I wouldn't go anywhere else!
Lee Brook
The ladies who run the hydrotherapy at Oak Ride Farm are amazing with my dog, Murphy. Hydrotherapy was recommended to us to help with my dogs recently diagnosed hip dysplasia and it's doing wonders for him! We are hopeful that we can now avoid surgery and continue hydrotherapy long term instead. I was worried how Murphy would take to the water as he is not a big fan but he cries with excitement when we pull into the driveway and he is always so happy to see Carolyn and Mandy - they are lovely with him. High recommend.
Anita Morley
Our labrador Charlie has been going to Oak Ride Farm Hydro for regular rehab sessions following an arthroscopy procedure. Both Carolyn and Mandy are excellent with him and achieved great results with his legs. Our vet is impressed with the muscle tone and movement, which it is unlikely he would have achieved without hydro. Charlie loves going there (he gets sausage and cheese treats - what dog wouldn't?) and its all down to the nature of Mandy and Carolyn and how well they connect with the dog. I love how they offer a free trial session so you and your dog and try it out. I cannot recommend them enough.
Lucy White
I would like to say a huge thank you to Mandy, Carolyn and Paula, who are all part of the Oak Ride Farm Hydro Team and have been helping my collie x with her arthritis through hydrotherapy. They are all lovely and highly experienced and made a significant difference to her. I can't recommend their service enough.
Debbie Lammin
I chose Oak Ride Farm Hydro for my dog Ruby based on the qualifications of the staff and the sensible pricing; I was also impressed by the care and professionalism shown at our introductory session. Ruby works competition obedience, which is a bit like dressage for dogs and requires a high level of fitness and core strength. We have been using the water treadmill for about a year now and over that time I have seen real benefits in both these areas - plus of course it is a great way to keep up exercise for anyone in those horrible winter months, as you stay dry and only the dog gets wet! Ruby loves it too! I really cannot fault the service we have received in any way and thoroughly recommend Cal and her team.
Tricia and the Goldens
I have been using the hydro treadmill for over two years for a dog with severe spondylitis. We visit every three weeks now to maintain her muscle tone. She has benefited so much and is now able to do most of the things she did before being diagnosed. They are very professional and caring.
Beryl Frid
I would strongly recommend Oak Ride Farm Hydrotherapy to anyone who has an interest in aiding their dogs recover from injury or surgery, enabling them to be more comfortable in their later years, or just wanting fit dogs who are able to enjoy themselves.
The hydrotherapists are very knowledgable and caring towards the dogs and the owners. As importantly is the fact that my dogs just love being there, and their prices are very reasonable.
Jo and O
I would highly recommend the hydrotherapy at Oak Ride Farm to anyone, and indeed already have done so. You are a fantastic team and I know that my dog has benefited enormously from having his hydro sessions with you and he really enjoys it. Many thanks.
Jackie Holliman
Following surgery on both knees for torn cruciate ligaments, I have been bringing, Lucy, my Golden Retriever to Oak Ride Farm Hydrotherapy for over a year now to have rehabilitative hydro treatments. Her motivation is the the bribe of minuscule amounts of cream cheese which keeps her walking in the water treadmill. My aim is to keep her as fit and healthy for as long as possible. It has been transformational for her. She also has osteoarthritis and the resulting strength and flexibility has given her a new lease of life, and given me the pleasure of seeing my dog happy again. The staff are knowledgeable and caring and I can thoroughly recommend Oak Ride Farm Hydrotherapy.
Richard and Pat Mason
Our Airedale Terrier, Hetty (now 2 years old), was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 8 months old & potentially facing major surgery.
It was recommended that she had hydrotherapy and it has been the best decision we could have made.
Mandy, Carolyn and Paula have been simply brilliant and Hetty has improved so much.
From the very first session both we and Hetty were completely at ease. The care and professionalism shown by everyone is a tribute to them.
We cannot recommend Oak Ride Farm Hydro highly enough and Hetty is especially grateful.
Thank you to you all.
Theresa Mannion
Brilliant under water treadmill. Very professional ladies and patient with my noisy Max. My two dogs are certainly benefiting from their treadmill sessions. They love going there, they pull me right up to the door. Great set up easy to park and an area to walk your dog before and after their visit. I started the treadmill from my vets recommendation, one dog with a cruciate tear and the other with a luxating patella. This has enabled both my dogs to get rehabilitated without surgery and now they continue to go to keep them in tip top condition and fitness. I certainly recommend Oak Ride Farm Kennels and my dogs agree!
Harvery, Batman and Cogan
We love our hydrotherapy sessions. THANK YOU.
Sally Grove
Friendly, helpful and professional. Take it at the dogs own pace, resulting in very happy dogs. The welfare of the dogs is paramount, and it shows in how they progress in the hydrotherapy sessions. Thank you.
Gaynor Evans
I took Bobby - my over thinking, adorable & gentle hound to Oak Ride Farm Kennels to see if Hydrotherapy could help him. He suffers from lumbar sacral disease, and as a result had very weak hind legs. He didn't run, rarely trotted & found difficulty with anything where he couldn't use his "front end" strength. Two months on & he is a changed dog. He is able to trot & run, is in less pain & he loves his underwater treadmill sessions.
Lesley Beeton
Our Zozi Boxer dog is recovering post TPLO surgery and we highly recommend Oak Ride hydrotherapy treadmill. A calm, focussed session does wonders for dog and owner. Thank you for your kindness to me and your commitment to Zozi's rehab. Wonderful service.
Nicola Ayres
I take Ralph to hydro as often as I can. Cal and Mandy are awesome and amazingly accommodating, we use Oak Ride Hydro as part of our winter training programme and would highly recommend to anyone.