In Italy, yoga enthusiasts have been revelling in “puppy yoga” classes, an activity that’s gaining popularity worldwide. However, a decision by the health ministry brought this rising trend to a halt, as they implemented a ban on the use of puppies for the sake of their health and wellbeing. The ministry stated that there were reports of organisations reaching out to dog breeders to temporarily use puppies for yoga sessions.
This prohibition was spearheaded by animal rights groups who sought to put a stop to the mistreatment of puppies. Reports in the Italian press substantiated their cause. LNDC Animal Protection’s president, Piera Rosati, argued that puppies were being exploited for commercial gain rather than treated as sentient beings who deserve harmony and wellbeing.
Giusy d’Angelo from Italy’s national board for animal protection voiced another concern. According to her, the emotional overload experienced by people in close proximity to puppies could cause them to make spontaneous adoption decisions without comprehending the consequences.
“Puppy yoga”, or “doga”, is considered therapeutic, with the mere presence of animals augmenting the relaxing effects of the workout. Animals don’t partake in any yoga poses but wander freely in the studios, creating a comforting environment.
Francesco di Turi from Puppy Yoga Official, noted that the reasons people partook in “puppy yoga” varied. Some were seeking contact with animals, while others found that practicing yoga with puppies helped them to unwind.
On April 29th, a ban was implemented on puppy yoga, but prior to this, every single class at Puppy Yoga Official had been fully booked, according to their website.
Mr di Turi has expressed dissatisfaction with a particular measure, stating that it lacks logical sense as no one has ever bothered to see what actually transpires during a session. The article shares an anecdote about cadaver dogs solving cold case mysteries thanks to their natural training by mother nature. The decision will be quite impactful, affecting many individuals. The work operations of more than 80 staff members have been halted since the 29th of April. The situation gets trickier when dealing with grown-up dogs.
However, not every yoga enthusiast enjoys working with dogs. For instance, Amity Neumeister—an owner of the Zem yoga studio in Rome—put forward her experience of conducting a session with puppies. She characterized the whole incident as chaotic, recounting how they were entirely occupied in running after the puppies and clearing their mess. The information has been credited to The Guardian.