Last month, we hosted an unforgettable evening in the heart of Manhattan: NYC Puppy Yoga, a joyful celebration of healing, community, and the powerful bond between humans and animals. The event marked a very special milestone—the expansion of our PAWsitive Recovery program into New York City, made possible through our exciting new partnership with Mountainside Treatment Center.
This partnership is rooted in compassion. At SPCA International, we know that one of the biggest barriers for people seeking treatment for addiction or mental health challenges is the question: “What will happen to my pet?” Our PAWsitive Recovery program exists to ease that burden by providing safe, loving foster care for the animals of individuals entering treatment. Thanks to this partnership with Mountainside, we can now grow our foster network in the tri-state area and help even more people take the first step toward recovery without leaving their beloved pets behind.
We hosted a puppy yoga class at Mountainside’s NYC location to celebrate this important expansion. It was an evening filled with smiles, movement, laughter, and tail wags! The class was led by our own Lori Kalef, Program Director at SPCA International, who brought her signature blend of warmth, humor, and dog-loving energy to the mat.
The real stars of the night were the adorable rescue dogs who joined us on the yoga floor. All of the pups were saved by our incredible partners at Korean K9 Rescue and served as cuddly reminders of how transformative the human-animal bond can be, especially for those in recovery, navigating mental health challenges, or escaping domestic violence. Their joyful energy reminded us all that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens with the help of others (and sometimes a few puppy kisses!).
The evening also featured raffles, prizes, and a sober yappy hour to close things out. Attendees sipped booze-free drinks, mingled with fellow animal lovers and recovery community members, and got more one-on-one time with the sweet pups.
We left the night feeling energized and hopeful, not only because the event was a success but also because we knew this was just the beginning. Together, we can build a future where more people feel empowered to get the help they need, knowing their pets will be safe and cared for.
If you want to support this life-changing work, there are so many ways to get involved:
- Donate to help sponsor the care of a pet in foster while their person gets back on their feet
- Sign up to become a foster for an animal whose owner is entering treatment
- Learn more about the PAWsitive Recovery program
Together, we can give more people and their beloved animals a new leash on life.