NEWS DESK
Splish, splash: Labradoodles Dusty and Evie and their owner Karina Turnbull are keen participants in fitness and therapy sessions at Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation Centre, Somerville. Picture: Gary Sissons
Splashing fun when dogs go for a paddle Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au FOND memories of 47 dachshunds gleefully running amok at her swimming pool for dogs a few years back still makes Somerville woman Jo Woolley laugh. “They came to TMus via a Facebook ZeroGravity group booking for a pool party and had 100% cordless, 100% an absolute ball in and outsafe of the water,” she said. “They were hilarious.” That’s easy to imagine as the pool at Aquapaws Canine Rehabilitation Chain Operation Centre is a favourite destination for its
regular four-legged visitors. Ms Woolley says she can hear her customers panting and squealing as they literally drag their owners across the car park to get there. “They are off the planet,” she said. Ms Woolley, who has run the business in Lower Somerville Road for the past 14 years, developed her skills during a canine rehabilitation therapy and hydrotherapy degree course in the UK and the US in the early 2000s. Back home, her vocation coincided with a growing desire by dog owners here to better care for their dogs, who receive physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiroprac-
If you cannot avoid installing shades that use chains, then the addition of (patent pending) ZeroGravityTM technology transforms the shade into something very different. It’s perfectly balanced, and can be raised and lowered with almost zero effort- no matter how big the shade.
tic, massage, pain management and rehabilitation treatments after injury or surgery. Fido fitness and weight-loss are popular aims and there’s even a seniors’ program for older dogs. Dogs of all shapes and sizes learn to swim in the 12-metre pool wearing lifejackets while their owners encourage them holding a handle on the back or using a leash. Their pets enjoy the feeling of the 24-degree water and become comfortable paddling and exercising. A puppy swim school teaches up to 10 puppies to swim at a time at $66 for four sessions. While the dachshunds were amus-
Curtains Awnings Blinds Shutters
Motorised Operation
You’ll love what we do
If it’s motorised blinds you want, the ZeroGravityTM technology can be easily motorised. Using spring technology that has been perfectly balanced, a small capacity DC motor can lift a blind of almost any size. Batteries will last over 10 times longer (as tested by Blindware) since the motor is doing almost no work to lift the blind when used in conjunction with ZeroGravityTM technology.
CHILD SAFE
Mornington Peninsula Shire is encouraging the community to reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose of unwanted household items for free this May.
The FREE pop up hubs will be set up in Rosebud and Sorrento. Accepted items include: clothing, toys, handbags, shoes, accessories, manchester and small electrical items. 03
Zero Gravity creates blinds and shades with perfect balance. Their shades can be raised and lowered by simply urging the base rail up or down by hand, with almost zero effort.
For a free, no obligation in home measure & quote
call 03 5975 9366
Shop 8a, 1-13 Tyabb Road (cnr Nepean Hwy) Mornington
www.shadesofaustralia.net.au
Western Port News 1 May 2018
much fun as their pets. “Many bring gazebos and trestle tables to picnic in the leash-free area and provide treats and even cakes for their dogs. They are here for hours.” Ms Woolley said most dogs were natural swimmers and took to the water with ease – especially the natural swimmers, like Labradors and retrievers. For others it’s simply a matter of diving in and learning by doing. And every dog seems to love doing that. Entry is $12.50 for 30 minutes, and $10 for a do-it-yourself wash and blow dry.
Give your things a second life The Shire is the first Council to collaborate with SCRgroup in a pilot trial of mobile community resource recovery hubs.
ZERO GRAVIT Y ROLLER BLIND 100% CORDLESS 100% SAFE
PAGE 12
ing, so too were the 52 greyhounds brought in by a dog rescue group. “That was a fun day and it was bucketing down with rain at the time,” Ms Woolley said. In another amusing episode a largish woman fell head-first into the magnesium and salt chlorinated pool after her dog accidentally pushed her. “It took four of us 20 minutes to pull her out and she, and we, were laughing,” Ms Woolley said. “I even had to jump in and pull her gumboots off so she could get up the steps.” Despite this mishap, it’s easy to get the impression the owners have as
Items are collected by SCRgroup then sorted for reuse and recycling, often providing people in need with essential everyday items.
Mobile Resource Recovery Hub Locations Sorrento Sorrento Community Centre, 868/860 Melbourne Road Rosebud Rosebud Skate Park car park, 1380 Point Nepean Road The drop-off hubs can only accept items through the chute (500mm x 600mm). If your item is too big or unsuitable, check out the items you can take to our resource recovery centres for free: mornpen.vic.gov.au/disposalguide This project is funded by the Victorian Government’s Litter Innovation Fund, delivered by Sustainability Victoria.