Pool and Water

The pool at Here Buoy! is a Florida North swim spa, measuring 16′ x 8′ x 4′ tall, and holding nearly 3000 gallons of water. Although manufactured for humans, this pool is ideal for dogs because it allows entry via 6 normal-sized steps, it has no molded seats, and it has a small ledge around the entire perimeter. It has large resting platforms on each side, at a height that large dogs can use to stand on their own. Medium and small dogs can use the resting platforms for their back legs while I support their front legs, or I can add AquaSteps as appropriate for their height. The steps and platforms also provide the perfect place for a warm water massage.

The temperature of the water is maintained at about 90-91°F. This temperature will keep your dog warm during a session of soaking and massage, but is cool enough to allow dogs to swim without feeling overheated. If your dog needs a specific temperature to be comfortable, I will do my best to accommodate that, within the limits of my other clients’ needs.

The swim spa has jets that can produce a current, but I generally don’t use them. Moving in water uses far more energy than moving on land, so even a few minutes of swimming is plenty of exercise for dogs who live a mostly sedentary lifestyle. But if you have a canine athlete who is in top shape from agility, flyball, regular jogging, or other sports, we can adjust the current.

My pool water is disinfected with an ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizer in addition to the necessary level of chlorine (comparable to that in tap water). A pump constantly circulates the water past the UV light, which destroys bacteria, viruses, algae, and protozoa without adding any additional chemicals to the water. The water is also adjusted regularly to optimize pH, alkalinity, and hardness.

Please make sure your dog is reasonably clean (e.g., not muddy!) before their swim. The pool water contains no chemicals other than those found in normal municipal water, so there is no need to rinse your dog after a swim at Here Buoy!

Grooming tools are available for your use, so your dog can leave looking as good as they feel. ♥