We offer a friendly and relaxed
atmosphere. The hydrotherapy pool
can be of great benefit to a dog
recovering from a surgical procedure
i.e. cruciate ligament repair, broken
limbs or a spinal injury. It may also
assist in controlling obesity, by
allowing the dog to swim for fun,
playing with toys, while at the same
time providing exercise. For the
working dog it aids in building
muscle and keeping the dog fit.
Referrals from veterinary surgeons
are welcome and all insurance claims
are dealt with promptly.
About Us
When one of Roy and Mandy's drugs search dogs, Toby, broke his leg, they were told that he was likely to never put it to the floor again. However, they took him to a Hydrotherapy Pool in Brands Hatch and he was soon using the leg normally.
After seeing how good the hydrotherapy was, they decided to transform a derelict building on their land into a hydrotherapy pool for their search dogs, to maintain their fitness and muscle mass.
The Team
As there were no other pools in the area, Mandy opened ChiefGlen Hydrotherapy Pool in 2003, after she completed the Hawksmoor course in hydrotherapy and pool water management. It was the perfect job for Mandy as she had 10 years experience with working and breeding search dogs. She is also British Institute trained for working dogs and has 25 years experience in Falconry, where she offers day courses. Mandy also has 2 years experience in horse hydrotherapy, after swimming her horse at a pool after it broke a bone in its hock.
After being assessed by 6 vets and The Royal Veterinary College, Mandy was passed to swim Military Dogs. The pool took off from here and Vets started to realise the benefits that Hydrotherapy has.
Mandy had some help when she first started from Becks who assisted her in the poolroom, preparing dogs for their swims.
Although Mandy is away a lot with Explosive Search work, she is still very much involved with the day to day running of the pool, and is always available for questions and advice.
We have a brilliant team here at ChiefGlen and we all work together to provide the best possible service for our clients and their dogs.
Becks is a large part of our team here, she has her own dog Noah, with whom she is obedience and agility training, and is in the process of training for her British Institute. Becks is also looking to do an Animal Management Course once she finishes school. She has attended the Canine Hydrotherapy Workshop and it's use Rehabilitation.
In 2005, Laura began working here. She came here on a 2 week Work Experience placement and thoroughly enjoyed it. Mandy then offered her a job working on a Sunday until she finished school and was able to work full-time. Laura has attended the Canine Hydrotherapy Workshop and it's use Rehabilitation, completed her in-house training and Pool Water Management with Mandy and is now looking into becoming a hydrotherapist trainer.
In June 2007, Nicola began working here at ChiefGlen. She had peviously worked in an Exotic Pet store and is currently a member of the North Downs Young Farmers Club. Nicola completed her in-house training and Pool Water Management with Mandy. She has attended the Canine Hydrotherapy Workshop and it's use Rehabilitation. Soon after starting, Nicola read in a local newspaper about a dog owner who was asking for help to rehabilitate her paralyzed 5 month old Golden Retriever. Following this up, Sue began swimming Ellie here in October 2007 and within 3 weeks the difference was so amazing that Meridian News featured Ellie's story.
Andrea began swimming her dog, Harry, here in 2003 for unexplained lameness in his front left shoulder. she had always dreamt of becoming a hydrotherapist, but was unable to at the time due to having young children. However, she never gave up on her dream and in December 2007 Mandy offered Andrea the job she had always wanted. Andrea has now completed her in-house training and Pool Water Management and is currently learning to be a dog training instructor.
The Clientele
Ellie
Ellie the Golden Retriever was only six months old when tragedy struck.
She was out walking with her owner Sue, doing what puppies do best, running round at full speed playing with Gabbie (Sue's other dog) when she ran into a metal signpost and was left paralysed.
Ellie's plight made the local newspapers after Sue needed help to rehabilitate this young dog. Upon reading the article Nicola, one of our hydrotherapists contacted Sue and suggested hydrotherapy to her. Sue brought Ellie to us in October 2007, within three weeks she was walking again.
Her story was so remarkable that Meridian Television covered it in November 2007.
Ellie continues to swim with Chiefglen, and although herprogress has slowed she continues to amaze us all with her determination.
J.D
This Chocolate Labrador has been having hydrotherapy for severe hip dysplasia and weight loss since November 2007.
After initially swimming twice a week to build up the muscle around his hip joint, he has reduced to once a week and lives a normal life for a young active Labrador.
J.D also takes glucosamine and chrondroitine supplements.
Danny
As well as the benefits to his health
Danny enjoys swimming.
Mum and dad encourage him.
We actively encourage the dogs to
play during exercise
Danny
A Rough Collie suffering from
hip dysplasia.
Danny has been swimming here at
Chiefglen for two years.
He is making great progress and has
built a lot of muscle in his left hind leg.
Sam
A border collie who has been swimming here at Chiefglen since July 2006.
He started hydrotherapy as a method of weight
loss as he weighed 55kgs. Having discovered
that he suffered from an under active thyroid,
Sam's owners decided that he needed a secondary form of exercise and this is what hydrotherapy has given him.
Through a strict diet, the right medication and
twice weekly hydrotherapy sessions, Sam
has lost over 20 kilograms and is only 5 kilograms away from his set target weight.
This means that Sam's life expectancy has
increased, as his heart is more healthy and
there is less pressure on his body.
We are very confident that Sam will meet
his target weight of 30 kilograms without any difficulty.
Kahla
How Does HydroTherapy Work?
One of the most common conditions that we deal with here at ChiefGlen is Hip Dysplasia.
Canine hip Dysplasia is a common degenerative disease, found in many breeds of dogs at different ages. It occurs when the hip joint of a young dog develops abnormally. As the picture shows, the socket of the hip joint should closely surround the ball joint
(femoral head), allowing the ball to rotate freely, without pain.
However, with a hip Dysplasia joint, the fenur head (ball joint) may be deformed and the socket may be too shallow to hold it in place. When this occurs, friction between the ball and socket joint can cause pain for the dog. Hydrotherapy can help this
