Walking dogs for wellness a win-win-win

Taking someone else’s dog for a walk is a win-win situation for Tayla Willetts.

The 20-year-old veterinary nursing student posted on the Buy and Sell New Plymouth Facebook page on Monday offering to walk dogs for free, and had since been inundated with messages.

‘‘It’s about wellness for everyone, for me, the dogs, the owners,’’ she said.

When Willetts began studying engineering in Christchurch, being away from home and the long hours hitting the books led to four years of depression and anxiety.

That feeling continued when she moved back to New Plymouth recently, but has been relieved a little after her Facebook post bore fruit.

‘‘Within a few hours I was walking somebody’s dog,’’ she said.

Willetts, who had since switched career directions and was now studying to become a vet nurse, said she wanted to make sure as many dogs around New Plymouth as possible were getting a ‘‘really, really important’’ dose of fresh air and exercise.

‘‘Just like us humans, if we don’t get out and exercise and do stuff then we become cabin feverish and a bit stagnant and dogs need that stimulation,’’ she said.

‘‘A lot of dogs that aren’t walked can end up showing signs of aggression and being sort of trapped just like we do.’’

Since putting up the post, Willetts had received so many responses from people who just didn’t have time to walk their dogs that she hadn’t had time to go through and count them all.

‘‘I don’t know why dog walking is seen as such a big responsibility, because it’s one of the best things about having a dog is being able to get outside with them and see them happy and take care of them,’’ she said.

‘‘I’m getting the best part of everyone’s dog.’’