Canine Hydrotherapy in Newbury

Welcome to Aquatic Canine Therapy - Expert Hydrotherapy in Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire & Oxfordshire

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Aquatic Canine Therapy (ACT Now) is your trusted canine hydrotherapy centre based on the A339 in Kingsclere, near Greenham Common. We proudly serve dog owners across Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire, including villages and towns such as Newbury, Basingstoke, Andover, Marlborough, Swindon, Oxford, Reading, Hungerford, Thatcham, and Winchester.

Why Choose ACT Now?

We are full members of the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA) and the Chartered Society of

• Our entire centre has been independently inspected and approved.
• We meet strict standards for treatment, training, supervision, first aid, record keeping, and water quality.
• Veterinary surgeons, pet insurance companies, and—most importantly—dog owners can trust us as a safe, professional, and approved hydrotherapy centre.

Our Team

• The Therapists at ACT Now are highly trained and fully qualified (see our Team page for details). With many years of experience, we ensure your dog receives the very best care.
• With over 15 years of hands-on experience in small animal hydrotherapy, we set the benchmark for safe, effective rehabilitation.
• Currently, students can qualify with just 20 hours of practical work—a threshold we believe is insufficient to guarantee safe, effective care.
• We actively support practitioners with less than five years’ experience, ensuring they gain the practical confidence needed to deliver exceptional outcomes before thinking of running their own centre
• Every patient is unique, and our extensive practical expertise ensures tailored treatment plans that prioritise safety, comfort, and recovery.

What to Look for in a Canine Hydrotherapy Centre

When choosing a hydrotherapy provider, consider:

Experience: At least one team member with 5+ years post-qualification experience.

Team strength: A full team ensures no break in essential treatment during sickness or holidays and group discussions about complex cases.

Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA) membership: Confirms the centre has been checked and approved to meet national standards and continues to be monitored.

Specialist focus: Hydrotherapy is treatment in water (not out or on water). Only physiotherapists are qualified to provide exercises outside of water, so check the therapists’ qualifications to ensure they only work within their skill group.

ACT Now meets—and exceeds—all of these standards.

Why Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is more than swimming — it is structured treatment in water designed to aid recovery, improve mobility, and support rehabilitation. It is especially effective for:

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

Our Commitment to Evidence Based Care

• We only use treatments proven in peer-reviewed studies.
• We avoid protocols (such as incline treadmill or swimming IVDD cases) where evidence shows potential harm.
• We continually review the latest research to refine our practice.
• Our goal is always to provide safe, effective, and compassionate rehabilitation trusted by vets, insurers, and owners.

Why ACT Now is #1

• Decades of combined expertise in rehabilitation and hydrotherapy.
• A centre trusted by vets, insurers, and owners across Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire.
• A proven track record of safe, effective, and compassionate care.
• Conveniently located on the A339 in Kingsclere near Greenham Common, easily accessible from Newbury, Basingstoke, Reading, Oxford, Swindon, Marlborough, Hungerford, and Winchester.
• At ACT Now, we don’t just provide hydrotherapy—we deliver gold-standard rehabilitation in water, backed by experience, CHA approval, and a commitment to your dog’s safety and recovery.

Evidence Based Treatments

At Aquatic Canine Therapy (ACT Now), we are committed to delivering safe, effective, and evidence-based rehabilitation. Every treatment protocol we use is backed by clinical research and designed to minimise risk while maximising recovery outcomes.

🚫 Why We Do Not Use Incline on Our Underwater Treadmill

Recent studies have shown that using an incline in an underwater treadmill can significantly increase spinal motion. While this may sound beneficial, in reality, it can place excessive strain on the spine, making incline work unsuitable for many rehabilitation cases—especially dogs recovering from spinal surgery or with spinal instability.

• A study at Hartpury University found that incline underwater treadmill exercise led to increased dorsoventral spinal range of motion at T1, L3, and L7, raising concerns about safety in post surgical patients (Hartpury University Study).
• Reviews of canine hydrotherapy research highlight that incline use can alter biomechanics unpredictably, with limited evidence of therapeutic benefit (OnlinePetHealth Review).

For this reason, ACT does not use incline settings on our treadmill. We focus instead on flat underwater treadmill protocols, which are proven to deliver safe, controlled rehabilitation, using the known benefits from the properties of water.

🚫 Why We Do Not Swim IVDD Cases in the Pool

Dogs with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) require careful spinal support during rehabilitation. Swimming in a pool removes the stabilising effect of the treadmill surface, potentially increasing the risk of further spinal damage.

Evidence shows that the underwater treadmill supports the spine, allowing controlled limb movement while reducing ground reaction forces and protecting vulnerable areas:

• 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).

At ACT, we therefore never swim IVDD cases in the pool. Instead, we use the underwater treadmill exclusively, ensuring the spine is supported and rehabilitation is delivered safely.

At ACT Now, every decision we make is guided by clinical evidence. By avoiding unproven or potentially harmful practices, we protect your dog’s health and ensure the best possible recovery outcomes.

If you believe your dog is in need of therapy, 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