Contact Us / Frequently Asked Questions

We will collect some information from you and send for a referral form to be completed by your Vet. This hassle free service makes it quick and easy to book your dog in for treatment. Once your Vet has returned a completed form, we will contact you and book you in for your initial assessment.

If you believe your dog is in need of Hydrotherapy, or your vet has recommended treatment, first thing you need to do is contact us.

You can contact us in the following ways:

Call: 01635 521915
Email: info@ActNow-Newbury.co.uk

Or you can arrange for the appropriate referral form to be completed and returned to us.

Veterinary Referral Form - Hydrotherapy, Physiotherapy

Click to download

Appointments

Opening Hours:

Frequently Asked Questions about Canine Hydrotherapy

Is canine hydrotherapy covered by pet insurance?

Yes. Most pet insurance companies recognise CHA approved hydrotherapy centres like ours. Because we meet strict standards for treatment, safety, and record keeping, your dog’s sessions are usually eligible for cover. Always check with your insurer for specific policy details.

How is hydrotherapy different from swimming?

Hydrotherapy is structured treatment in water, designed to aid recovery, improve mobility, and support rehabilitation. It is not just free swimming—sessions are tailored to each dog’s condition and supervised by qualified Hydrotherapists. Only physiotherapists can provide exercise outside the pool.

What conditions can hydrotherapy help with?

Hydrotherapy is effective for:

• Post surgery recovery
• Arthritis and joint conditions
• Neurological
• Tendon and Muscle strains
• Weight management
• Senior dog mobility
• Fitness for working and sporting dogs
• General Well-being

Why don’t you use the incline on your underwater treadmill?

Clinical studies show that using an incline can cause eexcessive spinal motion, which may be unsafe for dogs recovering from spinal surgery or with spinal instability.

• Research at Hartpury University found incline treadmill use significantly increased spinal range of motion at T1, L3, and L7 (Hartpury University Study).
• Reviews highlight that incline use can alter biomechanics unpredictably, with limited evidence of therapeutic benefit (OnlinePetHealth Review).

At ACT, we only use flat underwater treadmill protocols, proven to deliver safe, controlled rehabilitation.

Why don’t you swim IVDD cases in the pool?

Dogs with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) need careful spinal support. Swimming removes the stabilising effect of the treadmill surface, increasing the risk of further spinal damage.

Evidence shows the underwater treadmill supports the spine, allowing controlled limb movement while reducing ground reaction forces:

• Clinical studies demonstrate that underwater treadmill therapy provides buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and controlled resistance, which together reduce spinal stress and promote safe recovery (MDPI Animals – UWTM Pilot Study).

That’s why ACT never swims IVDD cases in the pool—we use the underwater treadmill exclusively for safe spinal rehabilitation.

Why is evidence so important in hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is a powerful tool, but only when used correctly. At ACT:

• We follow peer reviewed research to guide every treatment.
• We avoid protocols where evidence shows potential harm.
• We continually review the latest studies to refine our practice.
• We never “trial” unproven methods or do things just for social media content. Every treatment we deliver is evidence based and designed to protect your dog’s health—never to chase trends or create a “fun” social media post that puts patients at risk.

This ensures your dog receives safe, effective, and compassionate rehabilitation trusted by vets, insurers, and owners.

How do I choose the right hydrotherapy centre?

Look for:

• CHA membership (proves the centre has been inspected, approved and continues to be monitored).
• At least one practitioner with 5+ years post qualification experience.
• A full team to ensure continuity of care during holidays or sickness.
• Clear communication with your vet and insurance provider.

Where are you located?

We are based on the A339 in Kingsclere near Greenham Common, serving dog owners across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire. We are easily accessible from towns such as Newbury, Basingstoke, Reading, Oxford, Swindon, Marlborough, Hungerford, and Winchester.

How do I book a session?

Simply contact us via email on info@actow-newbury.co.uk or phone to arrange an initial consultation. We’ll discuss your dog’s needs, liaise with your vet, and create a tailored hydrotherapy treatment plan.

"How can I book a session?"

Call us on 01635 521915 to book during opening hours, or if an existing customer book via our Book tab.

"What do I need to bring?"

Just bring yourself and your dog! Here at ACT Now we have a shower to wash your dog, shampoo if required, and a blaster to dry your dog after the session. We even have tennis balls and treats if we need to make their time with us more enjoyable.

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"Where do I park?"

Please park in any available space within the carpark. If it is easier for yourself or your dog, you are welcome to park alongside our shop front. Make sure your dog is securely on its lead and enter our building. If no one is at reception, please just take a seat and we will be with you shortly. Where your dog is not good with other dogs, please wait outside and we will invite you in once it is safe to do so. Please ensure your pet has had time to toilet prior to entry to avoid a fine. There is a grassy verge at the entrance of the business park, please ensure you pick up after your dog and use our dedicated dog waste bin situated at the front of our shop.

"How soon before my dog is back to their old self?"

Recovery time can alter depending on each individual dog. A younger dog is more likely to recover quicker than an elderly dog. However, certain conditions can cause a longer recovery time than others. i.e. a major operation such as Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) can take several months longer to recover than Soft Tissue Injury. Usually, you'll notice a difference in your dog after several sessions, be it an improvement in their gait, or feeling happier in themselves.

"What will happen if I'm running late or miss my apointment?"

Up to 15 minutes late - We can still go ahead with the planned session, however it will be cut short if necessary to prevent running late with client's afterwards.

Over 15 minutes late - Depending on the diary we have that day, we may be able to go ahead with the session, however if there are more dogs booked in, unfortunately we will not be able to carry out the session and you will be charged for the missed appointment.

Missed Appointments - If you fail to inform us that you cannot make the session, full session charges will be made, or a session taken off your block booking.

Cancellations - No charges will be made for legitimate cancellations, so long as we are informed with a minimum of 24 hours notice.

"My dog is very heavy and can't walk on it's own, can anyone help me?"

When we've spoken over the phone, let us know that you will need help getting your dog in and out of the car. When you park at Orchard Business Park, if you make your way to reception leaving your dog in the car briefly and let us know you have arrived. As soon as we are available, we will come and help.

"How come you charge more than other places I've seen?"

There are a lot of Hydrotherapy places around the country, however not all of these places are signed up to the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA). This was set up to help try and regulate the businesses, by setting industry standards. For example, Hydrotherapist are to be qualified to a high standard, be first aid trained and have studied water management to ensure there are no risks to your animal. Insurers will only pay out to practices that are CHA registered, or operating within a Vets. These places may charge less, however the people in charge may not necessarily know entirely what they're doing and could cause more harm to your dog.

"The Vets say I cannot walk my dog for more than 10 minutes, will your sessions affect my dog in any way?"

On the day of your dog's hydrotherapy sessions, we advise that you treat their time in the treadmill as replacement for their walk that day. If your dog walks more than 10 minutes on the treadmill don't worry! Walking on land is completely different to walking in our aquatic treadmill. This is due to the buoyancy of the water supporting them throughout their session, the warmth and hydrostatic pressure of the water reduces any inflammation and causes decrease in pain. On land they don't get the benefits of the water, therefore more pressure is forced onto the joints and more damage can be caused.

Physiotherapy -

In Centre - Friday 3:00 to 18:00

Home visits arranged through the week

Find us:

Aquatic Canine Therapy
Unit 18 Orchard Business Park
Newbury Road
Kingsclere
RG20 4SY

If you believe your dog is in need of Hydrotherapy, or your Vet has recommended treatment, first thing you need to do is call us on 01635 521915 or send us an email at info@ActNow-Newbury.co.uk