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Puppy Yoga Brings Relaxation and Rescue Awareness to K-State Students

Joey Hoover

K-State students practice yoga alongside puppies on the outdoor recreational basketball courts.
K-State students practice yoga alongside puppies on the outdoor recreational basketball courts. Courtesy: Joey Hoover

MANHATTAN, Kan.- Saturday morning, Kansas State’s Integrative Medicine Club and Purple Paws partnered with K-State Recreational Services to host puppy yoga. Students enjoyed a relaxing yoga session alongside playful, adoptable puppies. The event aimed to reduce stress while promoting animal welfare, drawing a crowd eager to unwind and support local rescues. 


Students arrived anxious to enjoy an hour of stress-free yoga with some furry friends. Kansas State is a health-promoting university and wants to provide students with access to ways to destress and maintain a healthy mindset throughout the semester.  


After asking Clint Hafliger, Director of Facilities at the Chester E. Peters Recreational Facility, about the event and how the K-State Rec is a place for students to unwind and work on their mental health, he had this to say "I’d like to give all the credit to Mitzie Rojas, the Assistant Director, for coordinating and running the event. This is the second year of puppy yoga. We had a great turnout for puppy yoga this year." Hafliger said, "Each session was well attended, and everyone enjoyed the class and, of course, the puppies! There were a total of eight 8-week-old puppies and a few older pups.


It was such a good day to have puppy yoga outdoors. There was great collaboration between Vet Med and Rec Services. A lot of the students who attended looked happy and relaxed. They needed this break.” Hafliger said.

The event aimed to reduce stress while promoting animal welfare and drew a crowd eager to stretch, unwind, and cuddle with the furry companions. Organizers hope this collaboration will inspire participants to embrace self-care and the joy of supporting local animal rescues. 



Clint Hafliger hopes to be able to provide students with an escape at the Rec. 

“The rec is excited to offer these programs to our students and staff.  Exercise is not only excellent for your body but great for your mind and overall attitude!” 


Peyton Froome, the instructor for the 9 a.m. session, shared her experience with puppy yoga at the rec. 


“The puppies were so sweet and funny, and it was nice to lead a class raising money for some very loving animals.” 

The Assistant Director for Fitness, Mitzie Rojas, emphasized how much this break with the puppies was needed. "When I was talking to some of the students who attended puppy yoga, many said similar things about how they needed this break to be outdoors to move and enjoy some puppies. I think it was a needed break as midterms have begun or are just around the corner."

 

You can find more information on future K-State Rec group fitness classes at https://recservices.k-state.edu/programs/group-fitness/

 

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