Every class is thoughtfully designed to prioritize the safety, comfort, and well-being of our puppies
As the pioneers of puppy and kitten yoga events, Kitten Paws and Downward Dogs has helped shape the gold standard for animal-centered wellness experiences across North America.
Our mission goes beyond just cute moments—we prioritize the wellbeing, safety, and positive socialization of every animal we work with. Each event is carefully curated in partnership with local rescues to ensure a safe, nurturing environment for both humans and animals.
Where Do the Puppies Come From?
At Kitten Paws and Downward Dogs, all of our adorable puppies come from our trusted partner rescues, which are foster-based, nonprofit organizations dedicated to saving lives.
These foster-based rescues provide safe, loving temporary homes for puppies until they find their forever families. By partnering with these incredible organizations, our events help promote early socialization, boost adoption visibility, and support animal wellness in a fun, engaging way.
When you attend a Puppy Yoga or Puppy Cuddle event, you’re not just enjoying time with cute pups—you’re directly supporting rescue efforts, helping these puppies build confidence, and increasing their chances of adoption.
Puppy Safety & Wellness Standards
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Our on-site supervisors are Pet First Aid certified, and every team member completes comprehensive Puppy Handling & Wellness Training. This ensures that all interactions prioritize calm, gentle care and trauma-informed practices.
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Just like people, puppies need breaks too! Our event schedules are thoughtfully designed to include a minimum of 45 minutes of rest between classes, giving our furry guests the time they need to recharge in a quiet, cozy space.
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We uphold vet-grade sanitation protocols in all studio and off-site locations. Surfaces are disinfected using professional-grade, puppy-safe products that exceed industry standards.
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Fresh, clean water is available at all times. Feeding schedules are strictly followed according to each rescue’s or foster provider’s guidelines, ensuring puppies get the nutrition they need without disruption to their routine.
Puppy Socialization with Purpose
Every time you attend a Puppy Yoga or Puppy Social event, you’re doing more than just enjoying the cuddles—you’re actively helping a litter of adoptable puppies become confident, well-socialized future pets.
At our events, puppies are gently exposed to new people, sights, sounds, and experiences—all under the guidance of our Pet First Aid-certified supervisors. This structured socialization includes:
Positive human interaction in a calm, nurturing environment
Safe exposure to different surfaces, sounds, and spaces
Learning to stay calm during car rides and around groups of people
This kind of enrichment is essential for their development and dramatically increases their chances of becoming well-adjusted, adoptable family companions. It’s a win-win: you get an endorphin boost, and they get the social confidence they need before transitioning to their forever homes.
Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership
At Kitten Paws and Downward Dogs, we don’t sell puppies—we advocate for adoption, education, and ethical rescue support.
We understand that pet ownership is a major life decision. It involves long-term commitments to time, care, and finances. Our events offer the joy and healing of animal interaction without the pressure or impulse of taking a pet home on the spot.
We are dedicated to offering accessible animal-assisted wellness experiences for everyone. Whether you’re not ready to adopt, can’t have a pet at home, or simply need a boost of joy, our classes let you connect with animals in a way that’s therapeutic, meaningful, and totally commitment-free.