PuppYoga — it’s exactly what it sounds like.
Denio Librarian, Certified Yoga Instructor, and K-9 Behaviorist and Trainer Kristin Baker is hosting PuppYoga during two pop-up events that will help socialize service puppies in training and benefit the Denio Library.
The first event will be at the Humboldt County Library in Winnemucca on Sat., Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. The minimum age for participants is eight years old. The second event will be held at the Denio Community Hall on Fri., Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. The minimum age for participants is five years old and mats are provided for both events.
“PuppYoga is an opportunity to center yourself and sincerely be happy,” said Baker, because what could possibly be better than the joy from sweet puppies and an opportunity to snuggle them and get some light exercise?
The yoga is beginner friendly and all of the Labrador Retrievers and French Bulldog puppies will come from Baker’s farm, Little House on the Playa, located just over the Oregon-Nevada border where she trains future diabetic alert dogs. Because the puppies are so young and are not vaccinated yet, other dogs are not allowed and shoes will be left at the door. There is also a recommended donation for the event— $35— which will benefit the Denio Library.
Anyone is welcome to and should attend the events and the Denio Library is asking that participants be registered for the event in Denio by Oct. 16.
“People say their faces hurt the next day from smiling so much,” said Baker.
Getting the puppies socialized for their future work, which will require both “impeccable obedience and scent work paired with an alert behavior” is very important for each pup.
“They have a big job to do in their futures,” Baker, who has been training diabetic alert dogs since 2008, said.
Baker is certified through the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the International Association of Canine Behavior Consultants and as a yoga instructor through the International Yoga Alliance - Vietnam. Her work with dogs like Elwood, the Denio Library’s own regular service dog whom people can visit the Library and read to and with truly helps and comforts many people.
The medical alert dogs all go through a special process of training in order to be able to do their jobs, which requires them to be able to smell both low and high blood sugar levels and alert their owners.
“The process of becoming a medical alert dog is all done with positive reinforcement… The puppies work with me from birth until they are over a year old,” said Baker.
Once the puppies receive their training, they are then matched with someone that has applied through Baker’s program.
“Over the years, I have been able to develop a detailed application process which enables me to match the best puppy for each individual,” she explained.
To attend PuppYoga at the Winnemucca library campus, call their number at 775-623-6388 to sign up. To attend at the Denio Community Hall, call their number at 775-941-0330 or send a message through their Facebook page—Denio Library.