Doggy paddle has never been taken seriously as a swimming style.

Indeed, the discipline is unlikely to be introduced as a new Olympic category, unless the world's top swimmers begin copying the antics displayed by Eric the Eel from Equatorial Guinea this summer.

But for all its awkwardness and inefficiency, doggy paddle could turn out to be a saviour for many family pets in the Swindon area.

Pooches with arthritic pains, muscle injuries or weight problems can now work out at a special hydrotherapy pool just for them in Blunsdon.

The K9 Swim Centre has been set up singlehandedly by Thames Water office worker Gill Hebden in her back yard.

You could pass by the front of her house in Ermin Street without having an inkling that a fledgling business is blossoming behind the gates.

The idea originated from a conversation Gill had with a greyhound trainer at Blunsdon's Abbey Stadium while spending a night at the dogs last year.

She owns five greyhounds herself one a rescued dog and the rest former racers which have all had knocks and niggles.

The trainer told her the best way to nurse them back to fitness was to use hydrotherapy, but the only pool he knew of was in Cambridge.

Gill, 38, spotted the niche in the market then, but it wasn't until she was forced to spend five months off work with pneumonia after Christmas that she was spurred to act.

"Through my own pets I knew the sort of injuries they could pick up on the track," she explained. "One damaged a wrist in a fall and developed arthritis as a puppy. Another had a back injury and there were always other niggling injuries.

"It's not just greyhounds family pets can get into strife as well and many can get arthritis with old age.

"I realised there was a demand and I've always wanted to work with animals. Being off work made me realise I should do something I really wanted to do."

Gill contacted the man who runs the pool in Cambridge and spent some time with him to learn what was involved.

She spoke to local vets, who encouraged her to press ahead with the project.

She won planning permission in October, knocked down her shed and garage and hired a specialist firm to build the small heated indoor pool at a cost of more than £11,000.

She switched her job to part time and started taking her first customers several weeks ago. So far, the business looks promising.

"The man in Cambridge is fully booked so I think it is just a case of spreading the word and building up a customer base," she said.

"Most of my customers are referred to me by local vets, who all seem to be behind me.

"If it really starts to take off, I will give up my office job to do this full-time.

"I think there are more and more people using this sort of thing rather than drugs and conventional treatments.

"Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise, whether you are injured or not, and it is the same for dogs.

"By swimming against the pressure of the water, it builds up the muscles and soothes aches or pains. It is also a really good workout and is good for dogs which are overweight.

"Even after just four sessions, people are really starting to notice the difference some dogs will get out and jump up after previously hardly being able to get off the floor by themselves."

One half-hour session costs £8, but most customers book a block of 10 at a cost of £70. The therapy is covered by pet insurance.

For further information or to book a session, call Gill on Swindon 706224.