It’s not quite dog-paddling, but it’s an alternative to walking the dog.

The Teaching Hospital of the College of Veterinary Medicine now is using underwater treadmills to rehabilitate dogs that have undergone treatment for orthopedic problems.

Veterinary technician Daina Rollor said her 13-year old Australian shepherd, Mick, loves to swim, and the hydrotherapy he receives from the treadmill helps his arthritis.

“The treadmill is used to build muscle and protect joints,” Rollor said.

“Instead of normal pounding on the joints from walking (on dry land), it’s low impact but building muscle from moving through the water.”

Rollor and another veterinarian technician, Joanna Young, gave a demonstration using Young’s four-year old black labrador retriever, Cocoa.

Cocoa has bad knees and hips, and the hydrotherapy she receives from the tank ease the pain caused by a degenerative joint disease.

“The first time a dog uses the treadmill it’s really hard work. We do it for only three to five minutes,” Rollor said. “As they get stronger, we give them more time to walk.”

The technicians treat the water in the tank just like spa water. Every time a dog is done, the water goes through a filtration system to be reused for the next session. After about 15 dogs walk the treadmill, the water is dumped and clean water is used.

“They’re dogs so if they get thirsty they’ll try to drink the water while they’re walking,” one of the technicians said.

The student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association dedicated its treadmill on Wednesday to the teaching hospital.

The treadmill cost almost $40,000 and was funded through the college’s partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

“The dedication of this treadmill to the teaching hospital is a wonderful example of our students and Hill’s working together to enhance care for patients and the learning experience of out students,” said Sheila W. Allen, dean of the veterinary college.