Man's best friend gets loving care

Dubai: She has chocolate brown eyes. She loves people and just wants everyone else to love her. She is Sandy — a Labrador, who suffers from obesity.

He is tough and strong. He plays it cool most of the time, but adores his family. He is Yuki — an injured injured Husky, who was abandoned and given a new home.

Video: Fitness is for the Dog

Sandy and Yuki are both regulars at the new Dogwalk Rehabilitation Veterinary Clinic in Jumeirah, Dubai. Both are getting a second chance at life thanks to this unique new facility that opened about a month ago.

Gui Palanque, co-owner of the centre, said: "There is no other [dog] rehabilitation clinic in the UAE. That's what makes us so unique."

The treatments on offer include hydrotherapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy, along with a canine hydrotherapy pool and treadmills.

Assessment

"We design therapy programmes based on the needs and [medical] conditions of the dogs," Palanque said.

Julia Behrends, the resident veterinarian, explained the assessment process. "Every animal that comes in, gets a full check-up ... the overall body condition, to make sure there are no problems such as with the breathing or the heart. Every single joint is checked and [the dogs are made to] go through all the motions.

"We also check their balance by making them walk and trot in a circle. A full report is done. Then a programme is designed based on that," she added.

Sandy is one of the animals undergoing a special weight-loss programme.

It involves walking, swimming and a special diet. It has transformed the tan Lab into a more sprightly, happy animal.

Behrends explained that with dogs that are overweight, it is important to find out why they're obese.

After working with the owners to set up a feeding system, they look at how good the legs and joints are before setting up a regime.

With dogs suffering from arthritis, Behrends said: "I would usually go for acupuncture to relieve the pain".

Most of the dogs that go to the clinic end up in the hydrotherapy pool to work their muscles in a weight-free environment and have a little fun.

The pool has been designed with access ramps leading up and into the pool with a platform set inside, so they can rest between laps and there are water jets that add resistance to help the bigger dogs use their muscles properly. It is kept at 28 degrees, the optimum temperature to relax muscles, and the water's chemistry is a special mixture, which uses Bromine instead of Chlorine.

Sessions last for no more than 20 minutes to prevent exhaustion.

Palanque and her husband Hugo have a passion for dogs. They have taken this love and used it to set up the clinic, along with helping non-profit organisations in the UAE like Friends of Animals and the Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre.

Since opening in September, Dogwalk has hosted a doggy pool party and doggy Halloween party aimed at bringing dog owners together and highlighting animals which are up for adoption. They also offer special rates to help rehabilitate the animals to give them a better chance at being adopted.

Yuki is one such success story. He was run over by a car and left in pain for a month before being abandoned at the Al Barsha Veterinary Clinic. When he arrived he was emaciated and had contracted a skin infection because of a weak immune system. An X-ray was taken and it showed that his pelvis had been broken in several places.

The British Veterinary Clinic performed specialised orthopedic surgery. Palanque said: "We weren't officially open at the time, but Friends of Animals asked us if we could help, [so] we fostered him."

"After the surgery, he came here [Dogwalk] and he was very, very scared. He wouldn't leave the corner of the room and it took us two weeks to build up trust before we started his treatment." To make sure Yuki could use his leg again without problem or pain, the clinic designed a package that included a massage before supervised swims in their hydrotherapy pool, some physiotherapy while in the pool and acupuncture for pain relief.

New family

The healed dog who was adopted two months later was unrecognisable compared to the scared, withdrawn animal who had first come to the clinic. Yuki is now happily living with his new family, although he still visits Dogwalk.

Palanque said: "Yuki comes with the other two dogs [that belong to the family] and they swim and have a lot of fun".

Behrends added: "It's nice if you can give something back to your faithful friend. That's how I see it, he's been a good friend to you, gave you a lot of joy and it's nice to give him something back".

Tucked behind a tall white fence, the centre is a charming little villa with grass enclosures on either side of its stone path.

The facility also has a doggy daycare, an animal grooming area and a boutique with clothing, designer carriers, leashes, goggles, backpacks and floatation devices.

Pampering: Other pet facilities in the UAE

Glam Paws — offers unique clothing and accessories for dogs including dresses, bikinis, hoodies, jumpers and backpacks.

Paws Pet Planet — A facility for dogs and cats, which houses a park, splash pool, hydrotherapy pools, bathhouse and playroom.

 Petz'n'Stuff — has an array of designer accessories or the option of sitting down with a designer to create your own. For those planning a vacation, they also have Pet Paradise, a five-star pet hotel for all types of pets.

 Pampered pets- A bathhouse and high-end dog boutique. They sell Swarovski crystal-encrusted wooden beds and products such as shampoos, dog shoes and organic perfumes.

 Pet's Delights- Three pet stores where owners can purchase an assortment of products or have their pet groomed and treat them to a pedicure with an array of animal-friendly nail polishes.

Does you pet suffer from health issues like obesity or arthritis? What are you doing to give him or her a new lease on life?