***“My name is Shelly Horan, and I first came to SandDancer two years ago when my 10-year-old pup needed ACL surgery. To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for a full recovery. Our veterinarian had already warned me that his other leg would likely need surgery as well, and all I could think about was how much pain he’d already been through as a senior dog.

From the very first session with Nicole, she put my mind at ease. She reassured me that he was strong, capable, and would do great. By his third swim, I could already see a difference—he was walking better, moving with more confidence, and for the first time in a long time, he looked happy again. Within three months, he was nearly back to his old self: running, playing, and full of life.

I was so grateful to SandDancer and to Nicole that I used to joke she had my dream job. So when she asked if I’d be interested in training and earning my certification, I was absolutely ecstatic.

The training experience was one of the most rewarding chapters of my life. I’d volunteered with animals for years, but having the privilege to directly help pups heal—it’s truly a dream. And now, thanks to SandDancer, I get to live that dream every single day.”**

— Shelly Horan, Certified Canine Swim Coach

The Team Gallery
Nicole Barmore
Nicole Barmore

My interest in learning canine hydrotherapy started in 2013 when I brought my senior Labrador to start her swim session at SandDancer. I saw the benefits and that made me very excited to explore training in that profession.

I completed my training in March of 2014. I find working with dogs very rewarding. It brings a smile to my face when the dogs I swim with improve their mobility and their arthritis pain decreases.

General Availability: Tuesday & Friday Mornings and Wednesday & Thursday Afternoons
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Pat Bruce
Pat Bruce

I started at Sand Dancer as a client with my dog, Arthur after he had torn both rear ACLs. After 6 months of rest and a variety of therapies, the vet recommended we start with swim therapy. The results were immediate and after a few months of swimming twice a week Arthur was able to walk upright and "be a dog" again.

I went for my certification in 2015 and continue to be amazed at the results I see dogs achieve no matter what brings them to us here at Sanddancer. It is very rewarding to see a client progress in the water and to see how happy and excited they are to be here. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be part of what Sanddancer provides to dogs and families.

General Availability: Monday Mornings
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Teri Kress
Teri Kress

After being a Physical Therapist for 27 years seeing how water therapy helped my "2 legged" patients I decided to combine my PT experience, and love for dogs, and pursued my canine swim coach certification in 2023.

It has been and continues to be a blessing helping dogs with various conditions, improve their mobility in/out of the water, and hearing/seeing from the families how happy they are since coming to SandDancer. Of course, the kisses and licks I receive from these patients are all the proof I need that they enjoy it too.

General Availability: Tuesday & Saturday Afternoons
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Ruth Papszycki
Ruth Papszycki

With my senior pup (age 12) showing signs of arthritis and slowing down, a friend recommended SandDancer as an option they were currently using. My pup was quick to respond in the water and reached age 15 which we think the warm water therapy was a contributing factor toward. It was in seeing the remarkable transformation that I wanted to provide this to other pups and earned my certification in 2015. It’s a joy to see the progression from a pup who can be timid and unsure of their surroundings to learning that we offer a safe, fun one-on-one experience…and often times they are feeling better too!

General Availability: Monday & Friday Afternoons and Wednesday & Thursday Mornings
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Susi Rosinski
Susi Rosinski

I bring to SandDancer my highly regarded skills as a healer in Dao Yin Qugong energy healing. In 2008 I became a Karuna Reiki Practitioner and in 2011 studied Massage Therapy for canines, felines and equines.

In 2014 I met Mary Beth and became intrigued by the benefits of the warm water therapy for dogs. The energy healing along with the water is truly fabulous.

View Susi’s Quigong services here.

General Availability: Monday and Thursday Afternoons
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