Pet-specific products and services have surged in recent years, with $56 billion being spent in the pet industry in 2013 alone. With so much money being spent, it’s no surprise that new ideas are popping up left and right. Take, for example, Alexandria, Virginia’s all-new dog gym, the Canine Sports Club. The gym, which features treadmills, balance balls, training space, and agility equipment, is designed to give dogs a workout and to give dog owners a way to build the bond with their pups while burning some of those pups’ never-ending energy. Customers aren’t just folks looking to train their pups for the agility course. Many members use the temperature-controlled space as an alternative to the dog park on extreme weather days, and some have integrated the gym’s equipment into medically necessary rehabilitation for surgeries or injuries. The gym provides dogs with a safe and controlled space in which to run, play, and learn. According to the owners, the early days of the gym have already proven successful and they’re expecting that the idea of dog gyms will quickly catch on in other dog-friendly locales. And with pet spending expected to increase to around $60 billion next year, it’s hard to find an argument to the contrary.
Pet-specific products and services have surged in recent years, with $56 billion being spent in the pet industry in 2013 alone. With so much money being spent, it’s no surprise that new ideas are popping up left and right. Take, for example, Alexandria, Virginia’s all-new dog gym, the Canine Sports Club. The gym, which features treadmills, balance balls, training space, and agility equipment, is designed to give dogs a workout and to give dog owners a way to build the bond with their pups while burning some of those pups’ never-ending energy. Customers aren’t just folks looking to train their pups for the agility course. Many members use the temperature-controlled space as an alternative to the dog park on extreme weather days, and some have integrated the gym’s equipment into medically necessary rehabilitation for surgeries or injuries. The gym provides dogs with a safe and controlled space in which to run, play, and learn. According to the owners, the early days of the gym have already proven successful and they’re expecting that the idea of dog gyms will quickly catch on in other dog-friendly locales. And with pet spending expected to increase to around $60 billion next year, it’s hard to find an argument to the contrary.
Craig Davis
Craig is a lifelong pet owner and dog advocate with a special interest in animal and human longevity. He founded Vet Organics to develop an affordable, all-natural, safe and effective ear infection remedy for his dog, Lucy, whose chronic ear problems could not be solved by the vet.
