Training FAQs Archives - Warm Water Therapy & Training for Dogs

After Level 1 will I be legal to practice?

Question: After your Level 1 course and your certification, will I be legal to start my practice? Answer: The laws involving this work are not defined and are currently up in the air. Each State seems to have a different requirement for who can ‘practice’ this work. From what I understand however – everyone on the planet can help swim other people’s dogs… the dilemma is when that person wants to call their work “Therapy” or call themselves a “Therapist”. …

What will I learn in Level 1?

Question: What will I learn how to do in your Level 1 class? Answer: After taking my class – you will be able to go home and swim dogs… you will understand the benefits and dangers of water therapy. You will know how to nurture and carefully get a dog in and out of water. You will understand more of the bigger picture and will have been exposed to many dimensions of the work. You will grasp the depth of …

Will you teach more people or more often?

Question: I notice you only teach 3-4 times a year and sell out quickly – will you ever take more than 6 students or teach more often? Answer: One of the big things I teach in all of my classes is to always be the best you can be, to take care of yourself and to be fully present when you are with a client. I practice what I preach here with my teaching schedule. I want to be present …

Should I consider training even if I have no pool?

QUESTION: We have very limited resources here right now, so I am not sure how to apply my passion or if taking your level one class is what I should do? I know that this kind of service is greatly needed but I don’t know if I can afford a pool at this time? ANSWER: I completely understand your concern. In The Level One Class, what you learn is so much more than Canine Water Therapy. Many students have gone on, after …

Sequim: How To Get Here

Sequim: How To Get Here(See maps below.) Rent a car and drive from SeaTac airport It’s about a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Sequim. Depending on which route you take, part of that drive is a 35-minute ferry ride. The charge to ride the ferry is approx $11.55 for the vehicle and driver. There are several routes from SeaTac airport to Sequim which include driving south and around and avoiding all ferries. Driving north and taking a ferry out of Seattle to …

What people are saying about La Paw Spa in Sequim!

Completely eco-friendly construction, all natural products, plus free wi-fi and complimentary organic drinks and snacks while you wait in Cindy’s beautiful lobby… enjoy state-of-the-art, pristine and completely non-toxic pool water. Cindy’s reputation is impeccable. Just ask anyone about how she developed her skills as a dog therapy specialist by helping her own dog restore mobility using warm water treatments and a special wheeled apparatus for paralyzed dogs. One moment with her will cause any even the most discerning pet owner to offer full …

How do I get started in opening my own business?

Question: I am from the state of Missouri and was recently watching the early morning show and saw a piece on ACWT and was very interested in this. I began looking on the web and have not had any luck finding any in our area. Is this one person that has been opening these around the U.S. or is this something one buys into to open. This would be a very good thing for people in our area. I now do petsitting for …

What type of Pool or Spa should I get?

Question: Hi, I am in the process of building a boarding and training kennel, and water therapy facility. We are starting with a covered outdoor pool and a pond. Because we’re located in the southeast the pond will be used primarily for sports and conditioning 3/4 of the year because of moderate weather. The pool though, there are so many choices it’s mind-boggling. Cost-wise, we are shooting for a rectangular 12′ to 16′ by 20′ to 32′ pool. Warm enough …

What does Canine Warm Water Therapy Look Like? Graduates in the News!

Joyce Biethan, the owner of Unsinkable Dogs has created a wonderful K9 Warm Water Swim Center in the greater Portland and Vancouver area. Working at her pool is Mindy Mulligan, a level two graduate of La Paw Spa’s Aquatic Training Program and Judi Truskey, a level one graduate. These girls are offering wonderful service and this is a great video of some of the work that they do. Yeah Joyce, Mindy and Judi!!!

Can Water Therapy Compliment Land Therapies like Massage?

Question: I just opened a pool and also offer massage and energy work. I’m feeling like my business is very compartmentalized. I offer massage & energy therapy on land. Then the swim therapy I feel doesn’t incorporate enough of the massage & energy-based work. What are your thoughts? Looking forward to hearing from you. Answer (by Cindy Horsfall): The reputation for waterwork is usually all about swimming. when vets prescribe water therapy, they are usually thinking it’s all about swimming. And when …