News and Blogs

11 October 2018
Former swimming instructor making a splash with Fit4Dogs

A former swimming instructor has gone in at the deep end with a business venture which sees her swap people for pooches.

With more than a week to go until the official opening of Fit4Dogs, Kirsty Skeates is already running rehab regimes for canine clients at her hydrotherapy centre.

Fit4Dogs was founded by New Zealander Kirsty and her husband Mike, from Pontefract. The couple live in Bridlington where Mike works internationally as a marine engineer and Kirsty was running her own swimming school before taking the plunge with the new venture.

Her search for suitable premises took her to Beckside Court, Beverley, and a unit which had been used for storage and was converted by Mike. Garness Jones chartered surveyors helped with the lease and architectural specialists Eznat secured the change of use to accommodate a six-metre by three-metre hydro pool, state-of-the-art underwater treadmill, physiotherapy area and storage space for doggie life jackets!

Charles Parkinson, Agency Surveyor at Garness Jones, said: “There are two units on the site. We brought the Twisted Angel Brewery in next door earlier this year and this is another interesting business.

“Kirsty became aware of the unit some time ago but there was a tenant in. They left and she came back to it. We work in all business sectors but we haven’t done anything with swimming dogs before! Beverley is attracting a lot of interest from various businesses and this is a good addition to the local services.”

Kirsty said: “I built up more than 20 years’ experience as a swimming teacher with people. I came here from New Zealand about six years ago and ran my own swimming school in Bridlington. But I have always been involved with dogs and this is something I have always wanted to do. I love it.

“The big thing for me is raising awareness of the benefits of hydrotherapy for dogs. Arthritis is a problem for one in three dogs and the hydro pool is amazing for pain management. We also help dogs which are recovering from accidents or which have other medical conditions.

“The pool is purpose-built, heated to 29 to 32 degrees and has jets so the dogs can swim against the resistance. It’s big enough to take the larger breeds, which is important. The underwater treadmill is suitable for dogs of all sizes. We can also treat smaller animals such as rabbits and cats.”

Joe Bvumburai, Director of Eznat, said: “Our background is in housing associations and we specialise in extra care housing – for people rather than dogs – but over the years that work has led to us being involved in more general business opportunities.

“With Fit4Dogs the idea is to provide a facility for Beverley and the surrounding area which offers therapy for the rehabilitation of dogs. We helped Kirsty apply for change of use of the building because it is no longer being used for industrial purposes, but East Riding of Yorkshire Council was very helpful and we were able to show that there is other property in the area which is not restricted to industrial use.”

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