“trainers would work with him from a distance and use high pressure water hoses to give him massages instead of their hands”
Like Selma Alabama? People, dogs, killer whales,,,shoot a water hose at em, and they always think how fun you are!
Seriously, I assume the hose is shot into the water and not at the animal. Its not a good idea to hit your prime money maker in the eye with a high pressure stream.