Sixty years ago, October 12 was established as World Arthritis Day to raise global awareness of the condition. Unfortunately for our canine buddies, arthritis is not limited to humans and is the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs, affecting at least 20 percent of adult dogs.

What is Arthritis?

When we talk about arthritis in dogs, we’re usually talking about osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic, degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that cushions joints such as the knees, shoulders, hips, or elbows breaks down, resulting in bone rubbing against bone, pain, inflammation, stiffness and swelling. While OA can be present in young dogs due to genetics or injury, it occurs more commonly and increasingly in dogs as they age.

There is no cure for OA, but there are steps you can take to reduce its impact and improve your dog’s quality of life.

Signs of Osteoarthritis in Dogs

As dogs age, we expect them to slow down and be more reluctant to play or run like they used to, but the...

Underwater treadmill therapy is frequently recommended as part of canine fitness, physical therapy/rehabilitation, and weight loss programs. Although recreational swimming gets a lot more attention as a popular activity for dogs, underwater treadmill sessions can be both beneficial and fun!

According to Joanne Parisi, AVA, CSCC, 4 Paws Adrift Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach & Swim/Hydrotherapy Coach, a fitness program that incorporates regular underwater treadmill (UWTM) sessions can improve health for all types and breeds of dog with a wide variety of challenges and goals.

Whether for injury recovery, maintaining peak fitness for the canine athlete, preserving health and mobility for aging dogs, or as part of a larger weight-loss effort, once- or twice-a-week UWTM sessions are effective because

• water’s buoyancy reduces impact to help protect joints;

• working against water's resistance builds muscle faster;

• controlled exercise is a great option for ...

Welcome to 4 Paws Adrift East Coast!

My mission when creating our swim program was to establish a place where people can afford long-term hydrotherapy for their senior or injured dog. We have since expanded the program to teach dogs of all ages the joy of swimming, and we take pride in providing a relaxing and safe environment so your furry family member can have the best life possible!

Our lovely swim center in Allentown, NJ features an indoor heated saltwater pool, an underwater treadmill, and a high-powered PEMF device. We have learn-to-swim, recreation, conditioning, senior dog, and rehabilitation programs.

All new clients start with an evaluation with our certified and experienced swim coaches. After the evaluation, your swim coach will guide you as to which program meets your and your pup’s needs.

Many clients take advantage of our package program, which offers 10% off when you buy a 10 pack.  

We also encourage clients who want to keep their dogs on a regular schedule of ...