Dog yoga class at 4-H Exhibit Hall

Ben Matthews

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

A special dog yoga class hosted by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall in Arena Park gave dogs and owners an opportunity to practice stretches together and learn challenging balance poses. The session began with a dog meet and greet and a group walk, followed by a "doga" session. The event also featured a display from Mac's Mission and treats from Mississippi Mutts.

Stephanie Hodges, far left, holds a pose as her 5-year-old doxiepoo Duke stands on her chest during a dog yoga class hosted by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall in Cape Girardeau. The pet-friendly exercise class was the first "doga" session for Hodges and Duke, beginning with a meet-and-greet session for dogs and owners, followed by a yoga session and concluding with a meditation walk. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Layla Garretson, 7, holds her 2-year-old pomski, Mowgli, and massages its neck during a dog yoga class Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Layla, a 2-year-old golden retriever, sprawls out in the arms of Tyson Jaegers during a dog yoga class hosted by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Dogs and their owners sit on yoga mats Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall during a dog yoga class hosted by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Lily, a 7-year-old shitzu, rests in the arms of Julie Greaser, during a dog yoga class Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall in Cape Girardeau. Greaser rescued the shitzu seven months earlier, and the pet-friendly exercise class was their first "doga" session together. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Kennard holds her chihuahua, Peewee, while waiting to begin a dog yoga class Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, hosted at the 4-H Exhibit Hall by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)