Certified canine aquatic therapists
All of the team members at The Water Bark are certified in Canine Aquatic Therapy.
Canine Aqua Therapy involves a beneficial interaction between the aqua therapist and a dog, utilizing a safe, warm aquatic environment to enhance the dog's movement and function on land. Canine Aqua Therapist are trained to perform controlled exercises in water, which reduces or controls weight-bearing, is low impact, and offers therapeutic advantages. Our coaches can work to enhance range of motion/flexibility, strengthen muscles; maintain and/or improve mobility and so much more.
Debbie Price
Co-Owner / Canine Aquatic Therapist
Debbie has a degree in Information Technology and worked for a local laboratory for 18 years before deciding to open The Water Bark. Her own experiences with her dogs led to the opening of this canine swim center. She went on to get certified in canine aquatic therapy, knowing that working with dogs every day was and always has been her passion. Debbie is a certified canine aquatic therapist, and certified canine conditioning and fitness coach with background training in canine conditioning, canine fitness training, and therapeutic fitness for dogs. She has continuing education credits in canine hydrotherapy, keeping up with the latest techniques and innovations in this new field. Please don't hesitate to ask about our qualifications.
In her spare time, Debbie loves hiking, traveling (with all dogs in hand) and camping.
Daniel Price
Co-owner / Canine Aquatic Therapist
Dan worked for a rental company in OKC for over 20 years and when the company decided to close he realized it was time to do something for work that made him happy every day. His contracting skills that he learned from his father definitely were instrumental in creating the facility. His background in business management is also essential in keeping the day-to-day business working.
Dan received his certification in Canine Aqua Therapy in 2022, and specializes in working with senior dogs.
In his spare time he is an avid hiker, backpacker, mountain biker and loves camping and traveling
Kris Spear
Canine Aquatic Therapist
Kris was a military spouse for 21 years living and traveling to various states and other countries. The travel allowed her to take on different jobs and new skills. She has had multiple jobs in the dog field from kennel tech, to groomer and now Canine aquatic coach. She has a bachelors of science in health and Education. While working in the fitness industry, she started to think of ways to incorporate fitness and dogs together when she found The Water Bark. Kris began working with dogs during recreational swimming sessions. She worked hard and became certified in canine aquatic therapy in 2022. It’s the perfect meshing of her fitness background, her love for dogs and customer service.
Kris has an un-canny way of making all the dogs feel comfortable and happy.
Jennifer Nehls
Canine Aquatic Therapist
Jennifer started out at Water Bark as a client bringing her two dogs Kefir and Soku. Kefir was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy which was causing him weakness and paralysis over time. Seeing how the aqua therapy that was done at Water Bark helped Kefir is what made her decide to work as a Canine Aqua Therapist herself. She wanted to be able to assist other dogs in having the relief that was given to her own pet. Since Kefir passed away Jennifer has become certified and has been working with other dogs with a variety of medical conditions. Her dog Soku still comes to swim recreationally. “I personally feel I could not find a more fulfilling career path.”
Jennifer also spends her off-time as the Disaster Action Team Supervisor volunteering for The Red Cross. While we hope you never have to see her with them, we are happy to know she is there.