FARGO — The ponds and lakes are frozen over, leaving your dog sidelined on the shore for the rest of winter. But one Fargo business is looking to change that. It's called Rocket Dogs K-9 and Aquatics Center. It's a a facility meant just for dogs.

The park will have a splash pool for new swimmers, a rehab pool and a pool for dock jumping.

Julie Saathoff is the woman behind the splash.

She first got hooked on dock jumping years ago by her son, and now after a year of preparation, she'll soon be ready to open her year-round swimming facility to canines across the region.

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Saathoff says there was nothing like an indoor dog aquatic center in this region, so she decided she'd create a recreational, as well as a competitive, aquatic center just for dogs.

"Maybe your dog's crated all day. What's your dog gonna do? Be bouncing all over and be jumping on you," Saathoff said. "Take them for a swim, go home and make dinner while they're laying, because they're pooped."

Megan Schiffeleein owns two dogs who dock-dive competitively. She said the aquatic center will be a great addition to the community and beneficial for when she needs to keep her dogs fit during the winter months.

"It's an awesome opportunity to have somewhere for them to run and play and exercise in the winter," Schiffeleein said. "Who really wants to go out when it's frozen and below zero?"

The water is specialized for dogs. It simulates pond or lake water by using ultraviolet light and minerals.

Troy Derheim, from My Aquatic Services, has been helping Saathoff with the facility. He says there's nothing quite like the aquatics center in the region.

"There's very few areas you can take your family," Derheim said. "Having an indoor water facility like this is fantastic, and that's what's kind of fun for our company...to be able to be involved in something like that."

Saathoff also hopes to have kids clinics, where children can interact with their dogs and teach them how to dock dive.

The facility is expected to open the beginning of January.

It's located at 3320 38th St. S, Fargo, ND.

For more information on pricing, CLICK HERE.



