What is an underwater treadmill & how does it work?
An underwater treadmill is a self contained unit allowing for buoyancy and resistance training while walking on a treadmill submerged in warm water. The unit itself is comprised of a treadmill section, water storage tank and a filtration unit. The underwater treadmill at WAG has variable control over speed, resistance, and depth, which allows for a tailored and progressive therapy plan for patients of all sizes. The tank has jets which can be turned on or off, depending on the amount of resistance desired. Also, the tank converts to a countercurrent swim tank so patients can benefit from both treadmill and swim therapy. The dog (or cat, if they are comfortable in water) walks into the dry treadmill unit with the therapist, the door is closed behind them and water enters the chamber to the desired depth and buoyancy. Depending on the size of the patient this can take from thirty seconds to two minutes. The treadmill is then turned on and your dog or permissive cat walks for a prescribed
