Fit for dogs and their humans
Checking out the Paradise K9 Fit Club
I didn’t expect my dog, Jill, to take to wearing a Go Pro, but she was beyond excited to go on this reporter’s assignment to check out the K9 Fit Club at the Paradise Animal Hospital and Wellness Centre.
Having written a guest business column pleading for someone to open a doggie/human gym in St. John’s to help us all beat the icy winter blues and have a place to exercise inside — Jill is 14 and has severe arthritis — I got a rash of messages about the K9 Fit Club.
It isn’t exactly what I’m hoping for in terms of a gym, since a walking track and a pool would be ideal. (Swimming in the summer really helps Jill).
But this is a good option for anyone who wants to exercise with their dog out of the weather, or to just change up their routine.
Classes are held twice a week and have been on offer for about a year, building a following.
Master trainers Cynthia Keats and Hayley Ivey trained with K9 Fit Club in the United States, where it started as a national brand.
They also work at the vet clinic — Keats is a veterinary technician and Ivey a veterinary assistant.
They said when the clinic owners asked if they were interested in the training, they jumped at it.
The concept is exercise on both ends of the leash.
It’s also a bonding experience for owner and pooch — with the dogs adding some moral support and encouragement during their human’s turn at various exercise stations.
Jill was in reporter mode — as if she knew exactly how the news business works.
No one could believe she is 14 — and it was one of those times where it was “Arthritis, what arthritis?”
It was a warm August evening so the classes were held outside, but they have an indoor space as well.
Jill was bounding around the yard as if she was three or four again.
The Go Pro fell off a few times, but she seemed to enjoy capturing various angles. (You can check the video out on our website, www.thetelegram.com.)
Even thought I took breaks to shoot photos and keep tabs on video equipment, I felt like I got a good workout and Jill sure enjoyed it — there were treats to motivate her as she learned the exercises. The stations included balance boards to help her build muscle strength and hurdles that could be adjusted for height.
There was also a warmup and cool down period to bracket the hour-long class.
Barb Mercer’s dog Chevy has lost 10 pounds since beginning the class — the Portugal Cove dog had once broken a back leg in car accident.
Erica Soucy of St. John’s was looking for something different to shake up three-year-old golden retriever Josie Jane’s routine.
“It’s something new other than our regular walks,” Soucy said.
The class is especially enticing in the winter.
“When the weather is gross and everything… She loves the winter. I don’t,” Soucy said.
After the class, Keats and Ivey explained the equipment is all portable and they’re open to going to places like St. John’s to conduct a class, if the interest is there.
Ivey noted the benefits of working out alongside your dog.
“They definitely motivate you, (and) make it so much easier,” she said, noting class participants often say it doesn’t seem like exercise because everyone’s having fun.
The classes cost $20 plus tax for the hour. There’s also a membership deal.
The first class is free for the trying but must be co-ordinated so they know they have the space.
“Just give us a heads up,” said Keats.
The best way to reach out is on Facebook at K9 Fit Club Paradise Animal Hospital. They also offer contests.
As expected, the class has policies and procedures, including vaccine requirements, and those details are shared with participants along with the usual forms to fill out.
I think Jill will be back for a class when the weather gets colder and I really hope there’ll be an explosion of indoor exercise options for dogs and their humans in metro.
One person on Twitter suggested I just needed a warmer coat, until I educated them on the dangers of icy trails and sidewalks and the troubles of arthritis inflicted dogs and their owners, who may have similar ailments, and/or the fears of falling.
They then conceded there are a lot of people and their dogs who would benefit from indoor activities over the winter.