Watch Dogs Swim Their Stress Away At New Pool For Pups In Bucktown

BUCKTOWN — Pups with a penchant for water will be hard-pressed this winter, unless they persuade their owners to invest in splash time at Doggy Paddle, which bills itself as "the city's first and only aquatic center for dogs to achieve optimal health and fitness through swimming."

Located at 1430 W. Willow St. in an industrial area bordering Bucktown and Lincoln Park, Doggy Paddle opened in September and has steadily grown its customer base through word of mouth, owner Cherie Bielawski said during a tour.

"We get a lot of dogs with anxiety. I think dogs, like kids, need exercise. Water is a great release. It's amazing to see," Bielawski said.

Doggy Paddle offers four indoor pools of 3½  to 4 feet deep salt water, heated at 80 degrees, plus an indoor recreation area where dogs can relieve themselves before bathing and jumping into the pool.

Watch a few dogs swim here, from Doggy Paddle's Facebook page:

"We have had very few poo incidents in the pool, but when it happens, the session ends immediately. The pool shuts down and is cleaned and disinfected," Bielawski said.

The center is dedicated to Waffles, a water-obsessed golden retriever owned by Bielawski and her fiance, Greg Barbeck, who ditched a finance career to work full-time at Doggy Paddle, where he calls himself its No. 1 employee.

Waffles died at age 14 in August, less than a month before Doggy Paddle opened after two years of planning and construction.

The center, located in a 6,000-square-foot warehouse, is across from Local Foods.

So far, most of the customers are coming from the South Loop, the West Loop, Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast, said Bielawski, a Lincoln Park resident.

Prior to founding Doggy Paddle, Bielawski, who has a masters degree in art therapy, worked as a nanny.

Prices start at $32 for a single swim "experience," but there are discounts for advanced buys of 10 swims ($290) or 20 ($520). For the frequent swimmer, a monthly membership costs $125 for one dog or $225 for two dogs. There are extra fees for private swimming (nongroup) and assisted swimming with an instructor.

All swims are 30 minutes and can include up to three dogs per pool.

Owners of dogs are not allowed in the pool, according to a FAQ sheet on the Doggy Paddle website. Proof of current vaccinations must be emailed or faxed to the center before a dog's first swim. Call (773) 922-9282 for more info.

^{An underwater view. [Provided]}

^{Dogs enjoying the pool. [Provided]}

^{Doggy Paddle owner Cherie Bielawski and her fiance, Greg Barbeck [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]}

^{One of the four pools and posted "rules" [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]}

^{Two German shepherds dash into the pool. [Provided]}

^{The indoor dog park pups use before and after pool time  [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]}

^{Penny Jackson works at the welcome desk at Doggy Paddle. [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]}

^{Waffles loved water and died at age 14, about a month before Doggy Paddle opened. [Provided]}

 

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