The use of water for animal care and rehabilitation dates back to ancient times. For example, the ancient Greeks and Romans used seawater to heal horses and other animals fighting in wars. Animal hydrotherapy has become an important area of veterinary physical therapy and rehabilitation in recent decades. Modern canine hydrotherapy was introduced in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s and has since spread worldwide. Today, specialized hydrotherapy facilities exist with a variety of equipment such as underwater treadmills, whirlpools and pools to maximize the effectiveness of therapy.