THE DALLES — Yoga enthusiasts got some puppy love on June 16 as they had the chance to practice downward dog pose alongside experts.
Puppy Yoga, a collaboration between Columbia Gorge Humane Society (CGHS) and Empower Yoga in The Dalles, allowed attendees to enjoy a fun-filled, gentle Vinyasa Flow yoga class with 12-week-old mixed-breed puppies: Ruby, Scarlett, Oscar and Dobby.
“There wasn’t a single student that came out of that class without a smile on their face,” said CGHS Board Chair Sunee Simon.
The class was led by instructor and CGHS volunteer Lexie Stickel, who guided participants through the movements while the four puppies excitedly explored, played and did their best to capture the attention of everyone in the room.
“We were all standing in the poses and the puppies came and looked up and were just like, ‘Look at me! Look at me!’ Then we all got on the floor and did the poses and chaos ensued – the puppies were all over everybody,” Angela Hanson, owner of Empower Yoga, said.
As well as being a fun time for the participants, Simon noted that it was just as beneficial for the puppies, as they were given a chance to interact with people outside of the shelter. “If the only people the puppies have in a shelter environment are the people who work there, they’re not going to get the experience they really need,” she said.
As a fundraiser for CGHS, those wanting to participate were asked to donate $20. Hanson said the sold-out class ultimately raised $675 for the Humane Society. Simon credits Stickel with the idea for the event.
“Lexi volunteers at the shelter and she suggested puppy yoga. Angela was on board and really excited, so they did a great job promoting it,” Simon says.
CGHS, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, took over the former shelter, Home At Last Humane Society, in March. Columbia Gorge News, The former board members chose to step down from running the shelter, and Simon said most operations have remained the same since he took over, including the location, staff and animals.
“It was a very amicable, mutual agreement, and this was the best way to keep the shelter in the area,” Simon said of taking over from Home at Last. “We felt there was a real need for a shelter in The Dalles… I think losing that shelter would have been a huge loss for the city and the county.”
One of the reforms being implemented by CGHS, which serves Wasco and Sherman counties and surrounding areas, is a low-cost spay/neuter voucher program implemented in partnership with local veterinary clinics. Starting this month, Simon said, those who are financially eligible will be eligible to receive a voucher for free spay/neuter surgery for their cats and dogs in exchange for registering their pets.
“This is our attempt to control the overpopulation of animals in The Dalles and the area,” Simon said. “Right now, we can’t afford to spay/neuter them. It’s very expensive.”
As a 501c3, CGHS relies on community support, including fundraising and volunteer work, to provide services and stay open. Upcoming fundraisers include a celebrity dog wash in July and a pet supplies garage sale in August. CGHS also accepts regular donations of bottles and cans.
“We are completely privately owned and rely on donations from the community to stay open,” Simon said.
As for puppy yoga, both Simon and Hanson agree that they plan to host more classes in the future. “I think this is just the beginning of a great friendship between Empower Yoga and the Gorge Humane Society,” says Hanson. “I told Sunny that I’d be happy to host another class anytime she has a new puppy.”
Yoga professionals Scarlett, Oscar, Ruby and Dobby are currently available for adoption at CGHS. To learn more about the adoption process or how you can support the shelter through volunteering or personal donations, visit their website at columbiagorgehs.org or contact them at 541-296-5189.
To learn more about Empower Yoga events and classes, visit the Empower Yoga website at empoweryoga.biz.
Columbia Gorge Humane Society is located at 200 River Road in The Dalles.
