A WOMAN has set up a business to help injured and overweight dogs paddle their way back to strength and fitness.

Laura Browne, 25, runs Merrylegs Canine Hydrotherapy Centre, on Thirsk Industrial Estate, North Yorkshire.

The centre has a 10ft by 16ft pool, showers and drying facilities. There is also a hoist to lift dogs unable to get in and out of the pool by themselves.

It opened on June 21 and has been inundated with dogs with a variety of problems.

Miss Browne said: "So far, quite a lot of them have been arthritic or elderly dogs, and their owners have thought that we could help. I have one that has had a cruciate ligament operation.

"It is also an excellent way for a dog to lose weight. Some dogs can hardly walk because they are so overweight, but they cannot lose weight because they cannot do any exercise, so it is a vicious circle."

She previously worked at Clowbeck Boarding Kennels, in Yarm, and at the Triple A pet centre in Washington, Wearside, where she was hydrotherapy manager.

She said: "I set this up because I can see the benefits that hydrotherapy has and realised there was an area without a pool. Some dogs come in that can hardly stand, and within six or nine sessions, they will be walking in and out of the pool."