Puppy Yoga: A Growing Wellness Trend Ignites Debate on Animal Welfare

Puppy yoga, a burgeoning wellness activity that combines traditional yoga practices with the presence of young puppies, is gaining significant traction across North America, as evidenced by a recent viral video from "Puppy Sphere ". The video, which has amassed over 4.8 million views, showcases a participant in a yoga class with a sleeping English Bulldog puppy nestled on her chest, a scene many viewers found heartwarming. "When you signed up for puppy yoga but a little potato ends up sleeping on you the whole time," the video's caption humorously states, encapsulating the unexpected joy participants often experience. While proponents highlight the stress-reducing and mood-boosting benefits of interacting with puppies during exercise, the trend is not without its critics. Comments on the viral video reflect a divided public opinion. One viewer noted, "puppy yoga is where you go when you say you're going to yoga but don't want to do any actual yoga," humorously acknowledging the distraction factor. However, more serious concerns were raised regarding the welfare of the animals. "puppy yoga is not good. they need their mom, lots of sleep and food," one comment read, echoing sentiments about the potential disruption to a puppy's crucial developmental stage. Organizers like "Puppy Sphere " emphasize their commitment to animal well-being, often partnering with local shelters or breeders to ensure puppies are of appropriate age and temperament, and that their needs for rest and nutrition are met. Despite these assurances, the debate continues, prompting a closer look into the ethical guidelines and regulations surrounding such animal-assisted activities. As puppy yoga continues to grow in popularity, balancing participant enjoyment with the health and safety of the young animals remains a key challenge for the industry.

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I Tried Puppy Yoga, And Here's My Honest Take On The Internet's Most Adorable W…

Spoiler alert: Zero yoga was done.