Anchorage Dogs Have New Place to Swim Year-Round

K9 Aquatics offers winter fitness for man’s best friend

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Mar 13, 2013 at 6:44 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 13, 2013 at 6:47 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Keeping in shape during the winter can be challenging, and not just for people, but also their pets. That’s why a new business in town is offering year-round indoor swimming – just for dogs.

Some dogs you’d just expect to take to the water naturally, then there are others who might surprise you. Alaska K9 Aquatics has only been open for about two weeks, but so far all kinds of dogs have been paddling in the heated pool.

“I think there’s an athlete in every dog, and this is just a place for them to express that energy,” said dog trainer Martina Richardson. She realized long ago that getting dogs a workout in the winter could be a challenge for many people.

It’s a need that K9 Aquatics aims to fill, with a motto to serve them all: “We will help every dog that enters our facility swim to the best of that dog’s ability.”

An experienced human stays in the pool at all times to make sure dogs stay safe. There are also doggy life jackets, swim lessons for the shy, and plenty of toys. It’s a low-impact workout that can help dogs stay in shape, lose weight, or even heal from surgery.

But just as clearly, it’s a place to play, in a way that these dogs truly love.

In addition to swimming, K9 Aquatics also offers self-serve dog washing stations, and they have plans to start a socialization program for puppies. The business is located at 549 International Airport Road, Suite B9.

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TedtheBear said on Friday, Mar 15 at 9:01 PM

Is there such a place for humans and bears?

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