Let us just paws for a minute and take in this brilliant initiative by NSW personal trainer Jason Siebert who has devised a fitness program that not only helps humans but also homeless dogs.
Having volunteered at animal shelters for over a decade the 31-year-old trainer from the Central Coast combined his passion for pups and his work to create Rescue Your Fitness which sees those wanting more exercise take pound dogs out for a walk for both parties benefit.
On his website Mr Siebert says the premise is simple: “The dogs need to get out and run, humans need to move.”
“I noticed a diminishing number of humans and growing number of desperate dogs, especially some bigger more energetic breeds.”
Jason with one of his puppy PTs. PHOTO via: Instagram/Rescue Your Fitness.
The pack. PHOTO via: Instagram/Rescue Your Fitness.
There is also a bigger goal here too.
While Australia is overwhelmingly a nation of animal lovers – it’s estimated 80 per cent of Australian families have owned an animal at some stage – the dumping of domestic animals is still such a huge issue and the RSPCA has the challenging task of responding to approximately 50,000 reports of animal mistreatment.
Mr Siebert is hoping that the building social media around the program, the Rescue Your Fitness fan page has more than 1900 followers and counting, will show people looking to adopt dogs just how great some of these borrowed pooches are and perhaps this could mean they could find a walking buddy for life.
“Rescue Your Fitness allows you to help animals in need of a little love by walking or running an unfortunate dog trapped inside the pound,” he said.
“With a little ‘work’ sharing these stories on social media and through the client base of my personal training business, [we are] able to help in finding their forever homes.”
“Esta & Stella are perfect companions well behaved and gentle natured just in need of loving homes.” PHOTO via: Instagram/Rescue Your Fitness.
“Meet Buttons sharpie x staffy x kelpie she is one year old n needs a home…” PHOTO via: Instagram/Rescue Your Fitness.
And everything about owning a dog seems to lend itself to better heart health. While other pets can be great dogs need to be played with and walked thought the day and this incidentally means most dog owners get the recommended minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day which keeps them in tip-top shape and lowers their risk of cardiovascular disease.
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