• Currently operating a canine hydrotherapy pool
• Formally accept the Aims and Code of Practise of the CHA
• Have/obtain a recognised canine first aid qualification.
• Liase with veterinary surgeons prior to commencing hydrotherapy treatment.
• Installation of electrical equipment certified by an appropriate body.
• Have third party insurance and plus insurance for dogs when being treated.
• Ensure water quality of the highest standard and keep detailed record.
• Maintain formal records of each individual dog, condition, treatment and progress.
• Allow audits of operations by the CHA.

For full details of benefits and membership fees please contact our
membership department on:

Tel: 07050 265972
Email: membership@k9hydrotherapy.co.uk

Membership Fees - DOWNLOAD INFO HERE

For Prospective Operators

Hydrotherapy as a Business

Installing or building a hydrotherapy pool represents a significant capital investment. In joining the CHA you can network with a large number of existing hydrotherapy pool operators and gain the benefit of their experiences and expertise.

The CHA will organise from time to time seminars including module/s on "Beginning in Canine Hydrotherapy".

It is important to recognise that besides the significant financial outlay you will have to make you need to be physically fit (to handle infirm dogs in larger breeds) and should have a wealth of experience in the canine world.

You will also need to carefully evaluate your business case and the anticipated number of referrals as your income will be dependant upon this. You will typically need to be able to operate your hydrotherapy pool weekdays, evenings and some time at weekends to offer a full service to your customers. Whilst interest and use of canine hydrotherapy is growing so too - at a rapid rate - is the number of new hydrotherapy pools.

You should aim to ensure that your business case is still robust in answering the following "what if" questions ?

What if a new pool starts up in close proximity to mine ?

What if I don't get the number of referrals I plan on ?

The number of sessions per week per pool can - dependant upon location, population density, opening hours, number of nearby veterinary practises, interest from orthopaedic specialists, local competition from other pools - and crucially the facility being offered - range from a handful of customers per week to (in some exceptional cases) - more than fourty. However, typically, the majority of hydrotherapy pools operating at present will have referrals somewhere mid way between these two figures.

Training

As at May 2001 there are no formally recognised qualifications in canine hydrotherapy. However, formal training programmes are now being offered by a number of CHA members.