For WVU Exercise Physiology student Austin Snitz, a typical day of class includes grabbing some buoyance dumbbells and heading to the pool.
When it comes to putting classroom knowledge into practice, Snitz and his classmates in the Aquatic Therapy Area of Emphasis (AOE) at the School of Medicine are diving deeper into hands-on learning through a unique water therapy program.
“I love the water and truly feel that it has the potential to benefit nearly every person’s body,” Lori Sherlock, Ed.D., a professor in the WVU Division of Exercise Physiology, said. “Water benefits bodies that are injured or diseased, or fit and healthy. There are so many people that can find a solution to pain, movement challenges and fitness gains through using the water.”
In addition to teaching coursework in aquatic therapy, Sherlock oversees the WVU Aquatic Therapy Clinic, which acts as the professional field placement for senior-level Exercise Physiology students pursuing an emphasis in Aquatic Therapy.
Sherlock created the clinic in spring 2023 out of necessity – the previous clinical placements were no longer able to meet students’ needs – but has been overwhelmed by the community response to her call for clients.
The clinic, which is free for community members, has grown from 30 clients in its first semester to accommodate up to 81 clients in a semester.
“Helping people is a large part of why I do what I do,” Sherlock said. “I get to teach students about how they can use the aquatic environment to transition people from a place of pain and limited mobility towards a higher level of function.”
During their clinical placement, students are assigned clients and complete a full health history while trying to understand the reason their client is seeking aquatic therapy. Then, the student creates individualized plans of care for each client.
Snitz, who graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology in December 2024, said his experience with the Aquatic Therapy Clinic has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling of his college career.
“I have been able to see my patients grow and become more comfortable every day I was in the pool with them,” Snitz said. “Building that interpersonal relationship while seeing them become pain-free over time made me realize that I made a difference, which is something I will never forget.”
His inspiration to specialize in aquatic therapy is personal – his grandmother underwent aquatic therapy after a car accident that required multiple knee surgeries. Her time in the pool helped her get back on her feet more quickly.
Snitz wanted the opportunity to have the same impact on others, and when he saw that WVU had an Aquatic Therapy program, he was “all in.”
He said his biggest takeaway from his experience was the ability to make a difference. “One of my favorite moments came from a patient who had severe hip pain during her first appointment. I focused her exercises on her hip, as well as some relaxing pain-relieving techniques. When she came for her second visit, she told me that the pain in her hip was exponentially better, and she was able to sleep on her side for the first time in years.”
Snitz, who chose exercise physiology as a pathway to a career in physical therapy, was accepted into the WVU Doctor of Physical Therapy program and will begin classes in June. He credits his time in the Exercise Physiology program with his success.
“I’m so grateful for my time in the Exercise Physiology program and the experience I gained in aquatic therapy,” he said. “I know the skills I learned will aid me in my future and as I pursue my degree in physical therapy.”
Depending on their career goals, students in the Exercise Physiology program can choose from three different areas of emphasis: Aquatic Therapy, Dance Science or Health Professions.
The Aquatic Therapy AOE offers a unique opportunity for students since WVU is the only university in the nation to offer a comprehensive curriculum to prepare students to sit for the Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Exam, the national certifying exam for aquatic therapists.
When Sherlock established the WVU Aquatic Therapy Clinic, her goal was to address the need for well-educated students to develop their skills and gain experience, as well as the community’s need for improved movement and well-being.
However, the clinic’s impact has extended far beyond her initial intentions.
“This program allows the students to do the work and see the results,” Sherlock said. “It is truly transformative. It is powerful stuff when someone tells you that you have changed their life, or given them something back that they didn't think they would ever be able to do again.”
For more information about WVU’s Exercise Physiology major, visit medicine.wvu.edu/ep.
