Underwater technology helps animals get back on their paws

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Hydrotherapy machine used for animals.

NAPLES, Fla. A veterinary hospital is using state-of-the-art underwater technology to rehabilitate animals.

Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida at 10130 Market St. is using a machine called “The Oasis,” a pet-friendly hydrotherapy treadmill used for rehabilitation, fitness training and weight control.

It only took a few sessions in The Oasis to help Buffy, a 16-year-old dog with health conditions that prevented her from walking, put one paw in front of the other again.

“It was a miracle to see that she wasn’t resisting it and that she could actually walk that way,” Buffy’s owner, Gerry Nicola said.

The water in the machine decreases the animal’s weight by 90 percent, helping them condition their joints while they run on the treadmill.

“They walk around and their poor joints don’t want to carry all that weight,” Surgery Service Team Leader Adriana Sanchez said. “The water takes that away so they can still exercise.”

Athletic animals like police and show dogs also use The Oasis to prevent injuries.

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