Stashed away in the laundry room of the K-State Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is what might appear to be a strange hot tub for small animals. But animals in the unit are doing anything but relaxing.

Among the drone of dryers, one can find dogs and cats stretching and strengthening their muscles in the hospital's underwater rehabilitation treatment device.

The unit is a 2.5-by-5-by-3-foot Plexiglas enclosure with purple trim. A treadmill sits on the bottom of the tank-like structure. Its speed can automatically be adjusted to fit the needs of a patient.

Animals enter the unit through a swinging door on the left side of the device. Water is then filled from the bottom of the enclosure from a large reservoir in the room next door. The water is heated and treated to provide the best quality care for the patients.

Small jets on the right side of the machine are used to create a current for smaller animals to swim in.

Dr. James Roush, professor of clinical sciences, said the underwater rehabilitation program was implemented due to a need for post-operative cases, particularly in orthopedic cases, as well as client demand and awareness of the benefits of underwater therapy.

Dr. Walter Renberg, associate professor of clinical sciences and the only staff member who has been through aqua certification training, said the objective of the program is "to assist animals in obtaining the maximum level of performance and the most rapid and complete return to function either following surgery or as treatment for a chronic condition."

Renberg said the treatment is primarily for smaller animals to walk and trot underwater on the treadmill.

"The idea is that the water will provide some buoyancy and therefore take the impact of weight-bearing off the effected joint and limb, and also provide some resistance," he said.

Renberg said the aquatic therapy has proved to have quite a few benefits.

He described one patient, an older dog with severe arthritis in both elbows, as proof of the treadmill's success.

"When it first came in, it was unable to even walk down the hall," he said. "But now (after four therapy sessions), it has gotten up to the point to be able to trot for longer and longer periods of time."

Although Renberg and Roush said they agree most of their aqua patients are canines, underwater therapy is open to all small animals which might benefit from the treatment. Renberg said a few cats have been treated but generally are less motivated to walk underwater.

The majority of Renberg's patients are post-operative orthopedic cases, animals that have had torn ligaments or hip surgeries and some neurological injuries or post-operational spinal surgeries and fractures.

"I think for the most part, the animals enjoy walking on the treadmill," he said. "The patients perceive it as an activity for which they are being rewarded. We mostly use verbal praise and encouragement, and sometimes they'll get a cookie."

But, Renberg said, the aquatic therapy is only one component of patients' rehabilitation processes.

"Everyone seems excited about it," he said, referring to the treadmill. "But there is much more that is important."

Underwater therapy, he said, is not a cure-all.