A passion project turned profession is making a splash in the world of canine health and wellness with a focus on holistic healing for dogs.
Erika Gaspar founded Fine Fettle Canines to provide specialised hydrotherapy for dogs recovering post-operation or dealing with health conditions like arthritis and chronic pain.
Ms Gaspar’s journey to creating the mobile business spans continents and a lifelong love of dogs.
“I am Hungarian by birth. I moved to Australia 15 years ago with my hubby and two sons,” Ms Gaspar said.
“Dogs have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember – breeding, training, showing, grooming – from tiny toy breeds to giants.”
After years working with dogs in various capacities, her business vision came into focus when she began working as a qualified canine massage therapist three years ago.
She soon realised massage was just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.
“I have met dogs with all sorts of mobility issues, living with chronic pain or recovering from surgery,” she said.
“Massage is great, but I wanted to do more to help them. Especially elderly dogs suffering from arthritis, a disease with no cure that takes years away from their already short lives.
“I want to help to ease their pain and improve their mobility.”
The name of the business is an extension to Ms Gaspar’s holistic approach to animal care.
“Fine fettle means being in very good health condition,” she said.
“It sums up what I am passionate about. I’m not only focusing on the issue but looking at the whole picture – what might have led to that problem in the first place.”
Fine Fettle Canines offers massage therapy, hydrotherapy and tailored nutritional guidance and plans to include acupuncture to her range of services later in the year.
“Hydrotherapy is a gentle, low impact exercise in an underwater treadmill, using the properties of water, buoyancy, resistance and hydrostatic pressure to help dogs rehabilitate from injuries, surgeries, or manage conditions like arthritis or dysplasia.
“It’s a slow-paced walking exercise immersed in warm water, which can help relaxing muscles and reduce pain.”
Ms Gaspar said the dogs walk on a treadmill in a tank filled with water to about midline of their body.
“Using buoyancy of the water helps them walk without pain and risk of further injury.
“First timers sometimes are not quite sure what to do when the belt starts under their feet, but in a few seconds with encouragement and treats they will get the hang of it.”
Ms Gaspar offers her services from a custom designed mobile van.
“I have a very unique setup, I think the only thing is missing is a coffee machine, but I’m working on it.
“I am offering home visit hydrotherapy and only need a flat area to park my van, where I can plug it in and be ready to go.”
For more information find Fine Fettle Canines on Facebook or contact Erika Gaspar on 0423 011 165.
