Looking to burn some calories? Volunteer at your local animal rescue

PetSmart - Trish Spencer, PetSmart Charities®

Burn some extra calories and give back at the same time: volunteer at your local animal shelter or rescue.

Exercising and playing with kenneled rescue or shelter dogs is a great way to get your heart pumping, your metabolism firing and calories burning. Just ask Toni Goessman, who says she lost 10 pounds in one month after she started volunteering at a Phoenix, Ariz., animal rescue. 

“Walking just four to five dogs individually each day burned up the calories for me. I was committed, because the dogs were counting on me.”

Volunteering is healthy for the dogs too. Homeless dogs may have to spend months patiently waiting in kennels for their forever homes. They are bored, often anxious and they crave attention and exercise. An energetic play break does wonders to improve their frame of mind, pet experts say. And while not everyone may lose 10 pounds in one month like Goessman, shelter volunteers say helping dogs in need is therapeutic, reduces stress and makes them feel good about themselves. 

"I work for a hospice agency and the work can be very stressful,” says Sandy Kramer, who volunteers for Boxer Luv, a Boxer rescue in Phoenix. “Going to the kennels to see all the little wiggle butts and smushy faces is so uplifting, both mentally and physically. Throwing the ball is great upper body exercise, and running with them in the play area makes for a good cardio workout. Having a Boxer baby as a workout buddy is way better then going to the gym."

Motivation is never a problem, either. It’s hard to skip an exercise session when you know 15 dogs are waiting for you at the kennel - rows of eager K-9s who are hoping to get out of their kennel today to go for a walk or play a game of fetch. In fact, visualizing the dogs' pleading eyes and how they jump for joy at the sight of you will get you headed to the kennels fast.

Sue Shurtleff, a regular volunteer at a shelter in Arizona, says, “I love walking into the kennel run area and seeing all the dogs’ happy faces and tails wagging a mile a minute when they see me coming. It is priceless - I love every minute I get to spend with them.”

Interested in including dogs in your exercise routine? Here are some ideas:

Play ball! Bend, stretch, throw, run, stop, start and dodge! Throwing a ball or flying disc and really getting into the game gets your heart rate up, burns calories and gives you a great stretch. Plus, it’s downright fun –– just ask the dogs!

Go for a walk, a jog, a run or a stroll. No matter what your fitness level, you can find a dog that will be delighted to follow step-by-step. Many shelters and public kennels have designated walking areas for exercising their dogs.

Try agility. Some shelters have agility equipment on site for playtime. Let dogs explore the course as you run through it, then see what the dogs can learn with a little instruction. It’s a fun challenge for people and pets!

Cool down! In warm weather, don’t forget to indulge your canine playmates in a bath after exercise. You’ll be squatting, stretching, lifting and scrubbing. The pooches will appreciate the attention from you, and the great clean feeling afterwards. Who knows, that bath may even help them get adopted!

To get started, sign up to volunteer for your favorite rescue group or shelter. You’ll need to go through the group’s orientation, and learn the dos and don’ts of exercising the kennel dogs safely. You may be required to sign a liability waiver.

As always, before you start any new exercise program, consult your physician.

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