It’s no secret that dogs love the water, but in an urban environment, the two rarely meet. At Water4Dogs, a state-of-the-arts facility in Tribeca by Jodi Richard, dogs of all shapes, sizes, and stages of life can enjoy their natural swimming instincts, and their owners can realize the full scope of benefits from their pets’ aquatic stimulation: not only is water recreational for canines, but it’s also incredibly restorative for special needs dogs who may not be able to exercise a full range of motion otherwise.
Richard’s involvement with canine hydrotherapy began after Bonnie, her 10-year-old German Shepherd, suffered a ruptured disc that left her handicapped and in deep muscular pain. Before long, Richard earned certifications in Myofascial release, Reiki massage, and hydro-rehabilitation, methods she found to be helpful in assisting with her dog’s recovery and that led her to open her first animal rehab clinic, Bonnie’s K9 Corps. Since then, these treatments have come a long way, as has Richard’s work, and that is more evident than ever at Water4Dogs, the only center of its kind on the east coast. Here, the best specialists and technologies merge for a one-stop doggie complex that can tackle anything from therapy to spa services to recreation and beyond. 
The central feature of Water4Dogs’ facilities is their custom-designed swimming pool, outfitted with special ramps and a soon-to-come overhead lift system that can electronically support and carry any dog that has trouble getting out of the water. The pool can be used recreationally for dogs and their owners who’d like to swim together or with friends. Open swims are also available where up to six dogs can take to the water for a half or full hour of exercise and fun, making dog swims a bona fide spectator sport. And the cuteness doesn't end there: birthday parties are available in the pool, with party favors and birthday treats for the guest of honor all included in the package deal.
Though the recreational aspect is a major component of Water4Dogs, more important are the specialty services for post-surgical, senior, and otherwise disabled dogs who need extra care and attention. For these dogs, sessions are available with licensed veterinary techs, some who have been working in tandem with Richard since the late 90’s. First, the specialists evaluate the dog’s physical condition in conjunction with the attending veterinarian by analyzing their gait, limbs, range of motion, and so on, using that information to determine a hydro-therapy plan that will improve their overall health. The pool, for instance, offers weaker dogs lower-impact exercise and a platform for rehab exercises.
In addition, there are two Ferno underwater treadmills that can be used for muscle-building exercises on dogs that may not be able to bear their full weight. The treadmills draw from a large 700-gallon reservoir that keeps water lightly chlorinated and heated for sanitary concerns, and each dog has the treadmill’s water level and speed custom adjusted to their size and height for an ultra-tailored experience. After their swim, dogs are shampooed and rinsed before passing through the high-pressure dryer, ensuring that there’s no mess in the owner’s car or house. While Water4Dogs and their partners provide the attention to detail necessary for luxury clients, it’s important to distinguish that each service is intended to serve a greater purpose for pets and owners alike. Indeed, it’s the well-being of special needs dogs that takes precedence over all.
Despite the name, Water4Dogs offers services outside of the pool room that make it a true one-stop-shop for pet care, and like the pool services, indoor activities exist for both recreation and health. Electric neuromuscular stimulation, ultrasound, and a range of therapeutic exercises, for instance, help inactive dogs through the prevention of muscle atrophies and work to build back lost muscle while simultaneously decreasing pain, while reiki massage can be performed for medical value or sheer relaxation. If New York houses a handful of doggie spas, Water4Dogs is undoubtedly its premier doggie medi-spa. 
Between their affiliation with the Mayor’s Alliance for animal adoption (MAFA) and their own in-house fostering program, Water4Dogs also offers adoption opportunities for cat and dog lovers looking for a new companion, be it their first or one of many. It is one step further in which Richard and her team establish the undying passion they have for animals and their commitment to care for whatever pets need their attention most.
As icing on the cake, daycare, boarding and grooming services are available on site, either as a stand-alone service or in conjunction with swim sessions of any kind, and the cage-less facilities are spacious and well-kept. With a partnered veterinary hospital, agility center, obedience trainer and indoor dog run in the same building, Water4Dogs acts as a cornerstone for what is perhaps the closest thing to a doggie mall in the city—and possibly far beyond its limits.
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