Our Story

Jennifer and her husband, Jay, own and operate 280 Animal Medical Center just outside of Birmingham, AL. The practice is an award-winning companion animal veterinary hospital. They both are strong advocates for keeping pets happy and healthy.

Their journey started with a regulation-sized agility field behind vet practice. After a long difficult day in the office, Dr. Jay loves to come out and watch the dogs/handlers train. In 2018, they were introduced to the sport of Dock Diving and the wheels started turning on the possibilities of not only offering a way for people to have fun with their dogs but to also help dogs recovering from surgery or getting back in shape. WestRover Water Sports started on a sketchpad in 2018, and just one year later, the pool opened and WestRover Water Sports was born!

Jennifer has actively participated in both dog shows and agility competitions for six and three years, respectively, and now she’s adding another sport to her resumé! After watching a North America Diving Dogs (NADD) event in person and exploring all the benefits of water therapy, Jennifer was hooked. Dogs that have a “job”, tend to be much happier and healthier with a much lower incidence of behavioral problems. Watching dogs and their handlers work together as a team is especially rewarding. Jennifer also has a special place in her heart for dogs with disabilities or that are handicapped, and she looks forward to the opportunities the pool offers to those who need rehab care, including for her own American Eskimo dog, Kai.

The pool at WestRover Water Sports serves many purposes. First, it hosts official NADD events throughout the year (more information on NADD can be found at northamericadivingdogs.com). Second, it offers classes for swimming lessons, dock diving lessons, water safety and more. The pool hosts “open dock” days where people bring their dogs to check out the facility and try various water activities. Finally, the medical staff will be soon be offering therapy and training for patients utilizing the natural benefits of resistance and buoyancy that water provides.

Thanks for visiting our page! We hope to see you at the pool soon for a splashing good time