All dogs must show proof of vaccination for parvo, adenovirus and distemper (DAP type vaccine) 48 hours prior to their first session.  Dogs over six months of age must show proof of rabies vaccination.  Vaccine records can be uploaded to your Pawsh Gingr profile directly, emailed, texted, or shown to an associate in store.  We charge a $25.00 fee for white glove service to have one of our associates phone your vet clinic to arrange transfer of vaccine records directly.  Any dog who is notable to produce proof of vaccine at or before their initial consultation will have their session cancelled and lose their deposit.

Pet parents are required to read and sign our General Agreement, Kennel Cough Agreement, Hydrotherapy Agreement, and Self Wash Agreement prior to their initial consultation.  Any client who arrives without signed agreements will be asked to read and sign the agreements at the beginning of their initial consultation session.  This reduces our pool time with your dog so we encourage you to have these done prior to arrival.  The agreements can be signed by logging into your Pawsh Gingr Profile or one of our associates can forward them to you electronically. 

Every new dog to our facility must participate in an initial consultation session prior to being allowed to book other hydrotherapy services.  This session allows us to learn about you and your dog and ensure that you are prepared to engage in hydrotherapy safely for you and your pooch.  For owners with multiple dogs, and initial consultation must be completed with each dog separately and individually.  We require the full time allotted to complete our assessment and introduce your dog to our hydrotherapy equipment safely. 

We highly recommend that you plan to arrive on site 15 minutes prior to your scheduled session.  Your pool time will start promptly at your scheduled time, and if you are not prepared to enter the pool you will forfeit precious pool time.  The pool is under high demand and we schedule appointments in sequence so we may not be able to extend your time if you are late.  

Please give yourself time to arrive and unload your dog, take your dog for a pre-swim relief walk, give your dog a drink, and a chance to settle down prior to their swim time.  Please change your dog into their swim collar and float devices or swim harness.  Be ready to enter the pool or UWT at your appointment time. 

All new dogs to our facility will be fitted with a lifejacket during their initial assessment regardless of prior swimming history.  The hydrotherapist may request more float aids, or reduce or eliminate float aids at their sole discretion.  A pet parent who demands a reduction in float aids against the hydrotherapists judgement will not be permitted to continue to use the facility.

All dogs must be changed out of their street equipment and be fitted with a swim collar and lifejacket or harness prior to entering the pool.  We have a wide range of swim collars, lifejackets, and swim harnesses on site for use, or you may choose to purchase your own.   Dogs may not wear street equipment in the pool as it could introduce dyes, chemicals, oils, and dirt into the water.  Dogs are not permitted to swim naked.  Our hydrotherapist needs to be able to safely gain physical control of your dog as necessary.  Any dog discovered in the pool without a proper swim collar and either lifejacket or swim harness will be disallowed from using the hydrotherapy facilities. 

All dogs must enter the water via the submersed ramps, or designated diving dock.  Dogs may not enter the pool from the pool deck at any time.  The digging of their toenails into the tile grout around the pool edge causes considerable damage to the facility that is difficult and expensive to repair, damages the water seal, and causes pool downtime.  Pet parents discovered to be allowing their dog to launch into the pool from the pool deck will be disallowed from using the hydro facility and may be held financially responsible for any damage caused. 

Once a dog has entered the pool or underwater treadmill it must stay in the pool or underwater treadmill until it is finished the session.  Dogs are not permitted to exit the pool and run around on the pool deck during their session.  Once a dog comes up the pool ramp onto the pool deck, the session is finished and the dog will not be permitted back into the pool.  Dogs discovered to be entering and exiting the pool or UWT multiple times in a session will be disallowed future use of the hydro facilities. 

When a hydro session is finished, please use a rope lead to have your dog exit the pool or UWT onto the dry-off mat.  Please keep your dog under control and drape them in a towel quickly to control excessive shaking.  Wet dogs are not permitted to run around the facility and must be kept on lead at all times.  Please lead your dog to the wash bay and place them in the tub or floor shower.  Once they are in the tub or floor shower they can shake themselves off.

Every hydrotherapy session comes with a complimentary 20 minute session in our wash bay.  Although our pool is filtered with UV, it does contain some chlorine in order to maintain hygiene.  Please rinse your dog well.  We also provide shampoo and some other products and supplies to help you tidy up your pooch.   You may then use our towels and blow dryer to dry off your pet.  If you require additional time in the wash bay, it can be booked with one of our associates for an additional fee. 

Following the initial consultation, pet parents are expected to be able to prepare their dog for the pool and then rinse and get ready to go home on their own following their session.  If you require the assistance of the hydrotherapist to rinse or prepare your dog, please ensure that you book a session that accommodates your pool time and the assistance time you will need. 

Any time that a dog’s skin and coat become wet, there is an increased chance of a hot spot developing.  Please ensure you rinse your dog well following their swim and dry them as best you can. It is important to monitor dogs prone to hot spots to ensure that they dry well with no development of skin irritation.  The Pawsh Dog is not responsible for the development of a hot spot following a pool session. 

Sometimes we need to use treats to entice dogs into the pool.  However, it is critical that any treats used are safe for our pool water and pool equipment.  No cookies or dry treats, or treats that crumble may be used on the pool deck.  Examples of approved treats are wieners, cheese, benny bully’s, soft jerky type treats, small pieces of unseasoned meat, etc.  If you are unsure, please check with one of our associates.  

If a treat falls onto the pool deck, please pick it up and dispose of it.  If a treat falls into the water, please use a pool net to scoop it out and dispose of it.  If you are unable to, please ask one of our associates for assistance.  We thank you for your cooperation in caring for our filter equipment to prevent breakdowns and downtime. 

Dogs with any sort of ear infection, eye infection, skin infection, or any other sort of contagious or infectious condition are not permitted in the hydrotherapy facilities.  Please cancel your session with as much notice as possible.  We reserve the right to forfeit the deposit if less than 24 hours of notice of cancellation is provided. 

Dogs who have experienced diarrhea or digestive upset in the previous 72 hours are not permitted in the hydrotherapy facilities.  Please cancel your session with as much notice as possible.  We reserve the right to forfeit the deposit if less than 24 hours of notice of cancellation is provided. 

Please ensure that you arrive on site with enough time to take your dog for a pre-swim relief walk.  If your dog fouls the pool, your session will be ended immediately and you may be charged a $250 cleaning fee.  An accident in the pool causes us to close the poo for 24 hours in order to clean, shock, and then re-stabilize the pool water.  If your dog has a medical condition that may make them more likely to foul the pool, please discuss with our hydrotherapist.  Appointments for medical need dogs should be scheduled at the end of the day to prevent interference in the event of an accident. 

Please do not feed your dog two hours prior or for one hour following a hydrotherapy session. 

All dogs must have short well maintained toenails prior to using our hydrotherapy facilities.  This reduces damage to equipment, wetsuits and is required for the safety of our hydrotherapists.  We offer pawdicure services on site if needed for an additional fee.

All dogs must have coats in good condition and free from matting, packed coat, or excessive shedding prior to using the hydrotherapy facilities.  Please ensure that you brush any excess loose, packed, or matted coat out of your pet’s fur prior to your appointment.  Dogs with excess shedding or unkept coats will not be permitted to use the facilities.  

Pet parents are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs both inside the facility and outside on the grounds.  Please walk your dog on the grass out front on the boulevard, or at the side or rear of the building.  Dogs are not permitted to urinate on the building or front entry walk. Any pet parent discovered not cleaning up after their dog, or allowing their dog to potty in undesignated areas will be banned from the facility.  Not only is this unhygienic, it puts the Wellness facility at risk of being evicted from the premises. 

All dogs in the facility must be able to be safely handled by our attendants and hydrotherapists.  Any dog showing aggression towards humans will be dismissed.  If your dog is reactive to other dogs, please discuss with the hydrotherapist during your initial consultation.  We require these dogs to be booked at times when there are no other dogs in the facility.  Reactive dogs are not permitted in the facility during times when other dogs are present. 

Any dog using the hydrotherapy facilities for rehabilitation purposes must provide open communication between our hydrotherapist and the supervising veterinarian.   The dog must be cleared by the veterinarian to begin hydrotherapy, and any restrictions must be provided in writing.  For dogs in unstable condition, on site veterinary supervision may be indicated. In this case, the pet parent is responsible for the vet’s fees as well as the hydrotherapy charges. 

All dogs must complete an initial consultation prior to be permitted to use the hydrotherapy facilities.  Following the initial consultation the hydrotherapist will continue to work with you and your dog in the pool or underwater treadmill until to develop your dog’s skill and confidence in using the hydrotherapy equipment.  Once you and your dog are able to demonstrate the following competencies, the hydrotherapist will clear you to access our self service option on that piece of equipment.  This clearance is for that piece of equipment only, and is not transferrable to other hydrotherapy facilities.  

1) Safe and controlled entry into the facility and pool area.
2) Safe and controlled donning of swim collar and lifejacket or harness
3) Safe and controlled entry into the hydrotherapy equipment via the entry ramp.  Dogs who attempt or are allowed to jump from the edge of the pool will not be cleared for self serve.
4) Dog remains comfortably in the water for the duration of their session without attempting to exit onto the deck.
5) Dog is comfortable and relaxed in the water.  There is no excessive stress, splashing, or other signs of distress. 
6) The dog can swim comfortably wearing only a harness for pool clearance.
7) Safe exit from the equipment via the ramp demonstrating control on the dry-off mats
8) Safe and tidy use of the self wash bay
9) General control over the dog in the facility and grounds

Dogs previously cleared for self-service use of the facility may have their privleges temporarily or permanently revoked if they do not continue to demonstrate proper use of the hydrotherapy facilities. 

At The Pawsh Dog Wellness Centre and Academy, we prioritize the health and well-being of our canine clients. We understand that some pet owners may be concerned about the risk of ear infections following swimming sessions. It is important to note that ear infections in dogs are typically caused by bacterial overgrowth rather than water exposure.

While it is possible that water in a dog’s ears may create a moist environment that can contribute to bacterial growth, The Pawsh Dog is not responsible for ear infections that may occur following a swim session. Owners with dogs prone to ear infections should take necessary precautions, such as thoroughly cleaning and drying their dog’s ear canals after swimming, as well as maintaining regular ear care at home.

We encourage all pet owners to consult with their veterinarian for guidance on proper ear care and preventive measures to minimize the risk of ear infections. By working together, we can ensure that your dog enjoys a safe, fun, and healthy experience at our facility.