Doggy 'Biggest Loser' contest to support Dakin Humane Society
Date: 1/17/2011
Jan. 17, 2011By Debbie Gardner
Assistant Managing Editor
EAST LONGMEADOW —- Ah, the clean slate of January. It's the time of year when many a New Year's resolution turns to trimming down and shaping up.
Bev Savoie, manger of New England Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Center, located at 112 Shaker Rd., said the fitness resolutions humans make for themselves at this time of year can, and should, also apply to man's best friend.
According to statistics cited in a 2006 article on dog obesity published by the International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine, between 23 and 41 percent of America's pet dogs can be classified as either overweight, or obese. As with their human companions, this excess canine weight can attribute to myriad heath problems for pooches, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and reduced life spans.
The remedy for both dog and master is the same weight loss.
If your Fido has been looking a bit flabby, Canine Rehab has an upcoming program that just might be the incentive you both need to get your four-footed friend fit.
Beginning Jan. 24 at 7 p.m., Canine Rehab is sponsoring a 12-week doggy "Biggest Loser" contest.
To participate, dogs must commit to at least a $5 weekly weigh-in and consultation at the facility.
"It will be kind-of like a Weight Watchers meeting, but individualized to assess the [dog's] progress, or lack of progress," Savoie said. At the weigh-in, owners will receive a weekly tips package with coupons and information about how to help their dog get in shape.
Canine Rehab will also have more aggressive canine fitness packages available, including discounts on the use of their underwater treadmill and swimming facilities to accelerate a pet's weight loss.
Grand prize for the dog that loses the biggest percentage of weight based on body size over the 12-week period will be $150 and a three-month swimming member-ship to New England Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Center.
"If a Chihuahua comes in and loses a pound, that's a huge percentage of its body weight verses a Labrador which comes in and needs to lose 20," Savoie said as an example.
The runner-up, she added, will receive a large gift basket stocked with dog items donated by selected contest sponsors.
In addition to the prizes, Savoie said Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society would receive a contribution for every pound lost by the participating dogs.
"I don't know if it will be 10 cents a pound, or a dollar a pound because I've never done this before," Savoie said, adding that two contest sponsors have already pledged $250 each toward the Dakin donations.
Dr. Tom Crosson, a vet with the Spruce Hill Veterinary Clinic in Springfield, said he was a supporter of the doggy shape-up plan.
"I think many of my [canine] patients are carrying some extra weight," he said, jokingly adding the he also suffered from a similar condition. "But there are many resources available to me if I choose to use them But for dogs, we have to make the decision to correct the condition, and up to now, the resources have been limited."
Sponsors of the contest include Doggy Dooz grooming, paw protection by Tammy and Teddys, The Good Dog Spot, The Animal Touch, VCA Animal Hospital and Doggie's Duffle Bag. For more info on the contest call 525-9959.
