Video: Like a dog to water - it’s the canine swimathon

Dogs of all shapes and sizes, young and old, got the chance to swim around the pool, have a bit of fun and get some exercise at the same time at a swimathon event for dogs at the Black Dog Hydrotherapy which is based at Touch Canine Care Centre, Skipton Road, Harrogate.

Yesterday there was plenty of splashing around and fun in the pool as the pooches were put through their paces. The pool aims to offer dogs a fun place to exercise but it can also be used to help treat injured animals.

More than 35 dogs took part in the event which organisers said lasted for more than six hours.

A spokeswoman for the centre said: ”It’s the first swimathon that we have organised.

“We hope to do it again each year and, hopefully, beat the record.

“It’s a unique event with dogs of all shapes and sizes, young and old, in the pool enjoying themselves.”

For many dogs getting in the pool can be a fun way to exercise.

The hydrotherapy pool can also be used to help treat dogs suffering from a variety of problems – helping to improve the health and condition of dogs, whether recovering from surgery or injury or to help manage long-term conditions such as arthritis, or just to help them to lose weight and improve their fitness.