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Sanctuary for doggy water therapy closing

By David Freedlander, amNewYork Staff Writer
More stories | dfreedlander@am-ny.com

December 17, 2007

Pooches too feeble for the city streets will soon have to go elsewhere if they want help for achy muscles.

The Dog Run, the city's only water therapy for old and infirm canines will be closing next week to stave off a 50 percent rent hike, even though a dozen or so devoted human companions of the dogs staged an impromptu rally over the weekend.

"You can call us crazy dog owners but all the dogs have benefited so much from this place," said Mona Mansour, a freelance copyeditor, who organized the protest and has been taking her dog to the pool for more three years for physical therapy. "We hoped it would be like the Grinch and the landlord would have a change of heart and see what he's taking away."

The Dog Run has been at its Chelsea location for four years providing an innovative form of "hydrotherapy" and massage for dogs and holding "open swims" for neighborhood dogs in its 12-by-15 foot pool.

The Dog Run owner, Stacy Alldredge, said she paid $9,000 a month for the facility. She found out last month that the rent was going up to at least $14,000 per month. Dog owners typically pay $45 for a half-hour of one-on-one therapy or $20 for open play time in the pool.

Joe Talkiewicz, who owns the building, disputed the idea that business provides a vital neighborhood service.

"As far as I'm concerned it's just a big old pool party for dogs," he said. "Chelsea is an up and coming an area. ... They know what market value is."

With additional reporting by Lauren Johnston.