The Connection Between Pets and Wellness

How many times during a personal training session have you discussed pet antics with clients? Or what about the participant who shares a funny pet video after class, making everyone laugh? It’s no secret that pets and wellness are linked, and that our pets are emotional and physical keys to a healthier and well-balanced life—from a slobbery greeting punctuated with jumps of joy to a look that says “where have you been all day?” (even if it’s only been 10 minutes since you left the room). Pets are the perfect antidote to stress. Their capacity for unconditional love is incredibly healing.

And it appears our connection to pets is growing! According to the 2021–2022 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 70% of U.S. households, or about 90.5 million families, own a pet (APPA 2022). This is up from 67% in 2019. During the pandemic, nearly one in three Americans adopted a pet (III 2022).

But is there scientific evidence that animals can help us heal and thrive? And is pet ownership something personal trainers might want to factor into some of their program design?

Research: Pets and Wellness

Numerous studies have shown the positive effects that animals can have on our lives. Yes, improved physical fitness is one benefit! Whether clients go on long runs and walks with their dogs or they chase after a cat who likes to escape every time the door opens, moving with a pet increases physical activity.

According to a study in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, walking dogs promotes engagement in and adherence to regular physical activity (Christian et al. 2018). Another study noted that, on average, dog walkers spent 22 minutes more per day walking compared with people who didn’t own a dog (Dall et al. 2017).

Having a pet is believed to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, according to the CDC (2021). Research also suggests that cat owners are 30% less likely to have a heart attack and nearly 40% less likely to have a stroke (Qureshi et al. 2009).

If you have clients recovering from joint-replacement surgery, Fido could help them depend less on pain pills and potentially heal faster. People who used pet therapy—the guided interaction between a person and a trained animal—while recovering from this type of surgery used less pain medications than those without a pet (Havey et al. 2014).

And what about stress? A March 2022 poll released by the American Psychological Association found that 87% of those surveyed said that their “mental health was greatly affected by what has felt like a constant stream of crises without a break over the past 2 years” (APA 2022). This is yet another reason why pet ownership can be more than just rewarding. It’s potentially lifesaving, especially when you consider that work-related stress causes 120,000 deaths and results in $190 billion in healthcare costs yearly (Blanding 2015). One study of college students found that just 10 minutes of interacting with cats and dogs produced a significant reduction in levels of cortisol, a major stress hormone (Pendry & Vandagriff 2019). See “Five Ways Pets Improve Mental Health,” left, for more.

See also: Sell Mental Health and Wellness, Not Exercise

Pets at the Gym?

Many gyms have decided to open their doors to their members’ newfound friends.

The research may speak for itself, but what about allowing pets during sessions or in the fitness facility? Many people have joined the pet owners’ circle the past 2 years as stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders were mandated and more people decided they had the time and energy to devote to a four-legged friend and companion. Now that businesses and workplaces—including gyms—are reopening, what are new pet owners to do? Bring Spot with them? Or leave pets at home?

Many gyms have decided to open their doors to their members’ newfound friends. Granted, most of these establishments are smaller, single-facility businesses. Large chains (as with all businesses) have always allowed service dogs into their facilities. Perhaps someone will start a new trend where furry companions are allowed to come along and play with other dogs or sit and watch their owners work out. This may sound like heaven to an animal person, yet as a business owner, it presents some challenges. Below is a list of pros and cons for allowing animals (specifically dogs) into a workout facility:

Pros:

• You could appeal to a new market of clients who might not go to the gym because they don’t want to leave their dogs at home alone.
• It’s a good way to convert previously virtual clients into in-person clients.
• It may lead to better commitment from your clients because you’re taking away the excuse of “I have to walk/feed my pet.”
• You might be able to charge more, since it’s a value-add and benefit, and it could also give you an edge over the competition.
• You can bring your own pet (a win-win-win for you, your clients and your pet!).

Another pro is something that personal trainer Andy Graydon of Glasgow, Scotland, had in mind. He began allowing his clients to bring their dogs to help make going to the gym feel less intimidating. His thought was that working out in a busy, crowded gym can be very daunting to the first-timer or person who wants to return to the gym after an extended time away. Graydon felt bringing pets would help clients get out of “comparison mode” and empower them to build confidence (Vundla 2019).

Cons:

• You’ll need a dedicated place for pets to “do their business,” as well as places to get water and rest while the owner is working out.
• Other clients may not like dogs, fear them or have allergies.
• What if there’s a dog fight, growling, snarling, barking, running, getting loose or breaking things? Or if a dog interferes with a workout, knocks someone down, or bites or injures another dog or client?
• Insurance might not cover you, or the building you’re leasing may not be able to allow it for insurance reasons.
• You may need to take a closer look at liability coverage. What if there is a complaint or claim from a client who was knocked over, bitten, peed on, etc.? You’ll also need to amend your liability clauses and forms to include the necessary information and rules for bringing your pets. Make sure you establish protocol and rules/regulations for keeping control of the animal, and inform all clients—especially those with allergies—that you are a pet-friendly facility.

In general, you’ll need to put in the time to research guidelines and laws in your city and state and any building lease requirements. Yet the research shows that it could be worth your time and effort to offer this amenity to clients. After all, aren’t we in the business of helping others lead healthier lives?

See also: Transforming Your Fitness Facility Into a Wellness Center

A Pawsitive Path

Regardless of whether you allow your clients and participants to work out with their pets, it’s worth noting the significant connection between pets and wellness, and the positive impact animals can have on our lives. At the very least, you can encourage more dog walks, petting time, play time, etc. Pets can boost calorie expenditure and improve attitudes that help with overall behavior change. And if you come up with a creative way to include pets in your programming—all the better!