By CHRISTINE FERGUSON
Letting yourself go to the dogs may help you lose weight.
A University of Missouri-Columbia study found that having a dog can help people get more exercise and shed pounds.
"Our goal was to look for ways to increase the average exercise regimen, and we found being responsible for a pet, such as committing to walk a loaner dog, encouraged people who did not own dogs to walk more often and for longer periods of time. Our first study group averaged a weight loss of 14 pounds during the one-year program," researcher Rebecca Johnson, an associate professor of nursing and director of the College of Veterinary Medicine's Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction, said in a prepared statement.
Your local animal shelter in Hailey is ready and willing to assist in your goal of weight loss. Members of the community are welcome to come borrow a shelter dog for a hike at any time during normal business hours. You may either load the dog into your car for a long day hike or just walk Croy Canyon.
In addition, the shelter's Hikin' Buddies program began its new season this week. Every Wednesday during the summer the shelter transports approximately a dozen dogs to the Adam's Gulch trailhead, with the goal of hikers taking one of the shelter dogs along for a walk on the trail. The Adam's Gulch walks begin at 9:30 am.
The shelter also has long- and short-term foster programs. Summer part-time residents can foster a dog for a night or weekend sleepover or a more long-term visit.
For more information, please call the Animal Shelter at 788-4351.
Christine Ferguson is the Governance Officer of the Board of Directors of the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley.
