County Durham farmers Jan and Ian Oliver have launched a new hydrotherapy rehabilitation centre for canine pets to "doggy paddle" their way to good health, with the help of Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES).
Disused farm buildings at the couple's South Brandon Farm, near Crook, have been transformed into the new Durham K9 Hydro Rehabilitation Centre, which opened its doors for the first time this week (Monday, 5 June 2006).
The new centre boasts a reception and dog weighing area, a 16' x 10 ' swimming pool as well as a technik hydro-physio water walker treadmill - the first in the north east - and two consulting rooms.
One of the consulting rooms will be used by Andrea Bainbridge, Chartered Physiotherapist, who is Category A member of Acpat (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy) and the other by Heather Stimpson M.I.A.C.E (Member of the Institute of Animal Care Education), a student member of the UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists. The centre also boasts a grooming room, toilets and plant room for the pool's filtration system.
Ian has been farming at South Brandon for more than 30 years and runs a mixed livestock and arable farm. Both Ian and Jan were keen to diversify and combine their experience with their love of dogs in the new business for which they won support from RES, delivered by the Rural Development Service.
Jan was also awarded funding from the Vocational Training Scheme to allow her to complete training at other centres, recognised by the Canine Hydrotherapy Association, which has granted membership to the new centre.
Jan explained:
"As the owner of large breed dogs (Irish Wolfhounds) that have had orthopaedic problems resulting in operations, I looked for a rehabilitation centre that could offer a comprehensive rehab programme. Although there are k9 hydro pools in the area, my dogs wouldn't swim.
"Realising there was a need for a centre in this area that could offer comprehensive rehab programmes, we decided to apply for a RES diversification grant. I also applied for a VTS grant to enable me to complete the training I needed.
"At Durham k9hydro we offer rehabilitation programmes tailored to each individual dog that can include physiotherapy, hydro-physio using both the pool and treadmill, and acupuncture (administered by a veterinary surgeon). Also, recognising the need for a safe environment for dogs that enjoy swimming, we provide fun and fitness sessions in the pool and treadmill. There will be canine massage courses available in group sessions or individually and behaviour modification consultations."
Stephen Collins, an adviser for the Rural Development Service in the North East, said:
"Hydrotherapy treatment can provide enormous benefits for dogs in a variety of situations: as part of a pre and post-operative treatment programme, to help maintain general fitness, and as an aid to weight control.
"Jan and Ian Oliver recognised there was a demand for this service in the area and have been able to convert redundant buildings at the farm to establish the new centre, while Jan has undergone extensive training, which we have been delighted to support.
"Many farmers have already reaped the benefits of diversification, helping ensure a sustainable future for their own farm businesses and the wider rural economy, and the Olivers are already looking ahead at how they can adapt and develop further with plans to add dog training facilities."
The Rural Enterprise Scheme, Processing and Marketing Grants and the Vocational Training Scheme are closing to new applications on 30 June 2006. Knowledge of this has generated a great deal of interest and subsequently a significant increase in applications.
The schemes have been very popular and successful across the country. The announcement of the closure of these schemes has led to a large increase in the number of applications, all of which are seeking funding from a limited budget. The Rural Development Service has been advising that, as the Schemes comes to a close, a substantial amount of funding is now fully committed and competition for the remaining funds is very, very strong.
The schemes have always been competitive. The large number of applications and the coming closure of these schemes inevitably mean some projects cannot be funded.
The Rural Development Service is working to make the best use of funds under these schemes of the England Rural Development Programme
- to ensure that as much of the money allocated to this programme is spent. The Rural Development Service is continuing to review the funding situation across these schemes and will let applicants know if there are any changes as soon as they can.
The 30 June deadline does not apply to Objective 1 and LEADER+ funding; neither does it apply to Environmental Stewardship (Entry Level and Higher Level Schemes); nor does it relate to the Energy Crops Scheme Establishment Grants, the Hill Farm Allowance, or the English Woodland Grant Scheme.
