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Canine health and fitness
venture doing swimmingly
THE well-being of dogs is at the heart of the reason why Stacey Gaskin set up her new business venture in Wulfric Square, Bretton, Peterborough.
A lover of dogs, Stacey established Well Dog Hydrotherapy because of the increasing amount of dogs needing rehabilitation at a reachable cost. And according to her, because of the fragile economy more and more people are looking for affordable ways to keep up the best treatments for their much-loved pets.
Eight weeks in and the business is flourishing, taking in 60 to 70 dogs per week for treatment. Owners are charged a “competitive” starting price of £15 for a 20-minute hydrotherapy session in the heated pool.
“At Well Dog, we promote canine health and fitness, weight loss, muscle gain, post and pre-op, agility and play, the benefits of hydrotherapy are proven and is very much a widely recognised form of treatment,” said Stacey.
“We have had a good response so far, including referrals from vets, customers I have attracted after attending agility courses, and clients that have followed Mark Athow.”
Mark is a qualified hydrotherapist and it was his treatment of one of Stacey’s Staffordshire Bull Terriers at another business that inspired her to set up on her own.
Stacey said: “One of my Staffies had suffered from seizures but after hydrotherapy treatment with Mark in the last 18 months there has been great improvement.”
She approached Mark to come and work with her, and found a suitable unit in Wulfric Square. The open-plan property was quiet, spacious and comfortable.
Stacey invested in a heated pool, and built ramps, steps and a changing room.
Before too long, two complementary businesses sub-let space at the unit - Liz Cheney’s Handsome Hounds grooming and Mel Randle and Elise Stockwell with Peterborough Posh Petz.
It’s still early days and a far cry from the landscaping business - S Gaskin Landscaping & Contractors - that Stacey and husband Stuart are still running from Thurlby, near Bourne.
She is currently producing leaflets to get the word out in Peterborough about her new business and is re-investing in the operation, including completing her own hydrotherapy qualification in February.
Well Dog Hydrotherapy is open seven days a week, yet is closed for maintenance and cleaning on Monday mornings.
Depending upon the success of the venture, Stacey is keen to extend the business to other sites and to include treatment of horses as well as dogs.
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
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