A rehabilitation centre for dogs is opening a second location in Norfolk amid the “alarming” rise in pooches being diagnosed with serious conditions.
Fourpaws Canine Hydrotherapy and Rehabilitation is expanding to a new base at Poppyfields Garden Centre in Snettisham following the success of its original location in Holt.
Antony Flint started the business in 2015 after his dog was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at seven months old and was advised to start hydrotherapy treatment.
"I couldn’t quite believe it,” he said. “The results spoke for themselves and after seeing him so much more comfortable, the increased muscle mass and the ability to weight bear on his hind legs again, I needed to find out more."
Mr Flint decided to start to train in canine hydrotherapy and six months after qualifying he launched Fourpaws, working with vets and other rehab therapists to assist dogs with their mobility.
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The new rehab centre is set to open at the end of April and has been installed with a brand-new state-of-the-art underwater treadmill.
"The severity and frequency of dogs getting serious conditions such as spinal disc herniations or cruciate ligament rupture has become a little alarming,” Mr Flint said. “Whether it is from bad breeding or more accurate scanning, it is at a real high.
"All the dogs I help are special but I do have a soft spot for the spinal dogs that arrive in a sling unable to walk, completely reliant on their owner's dedication, the weekly progress you see, and being able to sign them off as a walking dog again is amazing."
Working in this industry has also helped Mr Flint with his health after he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
He added: "Helping ease their pain is amazing and very rewarding, I know how much it has helped me with my condition and I want to pass that knowledge on to others."
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