Splash around with your hound at Heavenly Spa

Once a week, Fremont small business owner Lara Olsha spends quality time with 11-year-old Sage and 6-year-old Chloe at a family-fun swim. However, you won't find them at one of Seattle's community pools -- Sage is a Lab mix and Chloe a diminutive Lowchen, and city swimming pools are off-limits for dogs.

Instead, all three are devotees of Fall City's Heavenly Spa, an indoor, warm-water therapy pool designed for swim and play sessions, or "aquatic bodywork" therapy with a state-certified small-animal massage practitioner. Olsha believes the spa delivers equal measures of pleasure, exercise, and most importantly, precious quality time.

"My dogs are cooped up all day and long walks aren't easy for Sage given her age," Olsha says. "Chloe loves to swim, but Seattle lakes are too cold, so a heated pool is perfect. I can't think of a better way for them to get exercise and for all of us to have fun."

Located 25 miles east of Seattle in the picturesque Snoqualmie Valley, Heavenly Spa is worth the journey. The distinctively designed pool, complete with terraced blue and white tiled steps, is housed within a beautifully crafted wood structure surrounded by large windows. It's about half the size of a Seattle public pool, with a water temperature of 94 degrees.

Rather than nostril-burning chlorine, the water is scented with flower essences, and owner Teri Sahm ensures that the grounds, building and pool are cleaned and maintained with only earth-friendly products. A state-of-the-art water filtration system makes for a fur-free swim. Other thoughtful touches include plush, lavender-scented towels and gentle background music.

Do the dogs care about those careful details? Probably not. They just want to play. But before they dip a paw in the water, Sahm requires that first-time clients attend a session with a therapist and safely learn how to swim together in the pool. After that, you're free to book your own self-swim sessions. Another important rule is that there's no marking or potty activity allowed in the pool area. In other words, dogs should do their business before they dive in.

While not cheap, rates are reasonable when you compare them to booking a massage for yourself. Thirty and 60-minute sessions are available for both aquatic bodywork ($45 and $85) and self-swims ($35 and $65). There's a $10 fee per additional dog per session, but no charge for extra people. Pet-friendly water toys, life vests and other flotation devices are available at no charge.

Although splashing around with your hound in a tropically heated pool on a dreary winter's day sounds divine, the benefits go beyond pampering, believes Sahm. "A tired dog is a happy dog, and just like people, they need exercise," she says. "This is truly a relaxing and healing environment that allows people and their dogs to unwind; it's a wonderful bonding experience."

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