Italy bans ‘puppy yoga’ to save animal rights

Italy’s Ministry of Health has officially prohibited the practice of “puppy yoga,” mandating that only adult dogs can participate in these types of activities, which are now classified under animal-assisted therapy. The decision, announced on April 29, comes amid concerns regarding the wellbeing of puppies and the safety of participants involved in these sessions.

Puppy yoga typically allows puppies to interact freely with individuals during yoga classes, engaging directly in poses or playing with attendees after the session. This practice, while intended to enhance human wellbeing through close interaction with young dogs, has been criticized for potentially stressing the animals both physically and mentally.

According to the ministry’s directive, yoga class organizers often source puppies from breeders for these sessions. However, due to the vulnerable nature of young animals, the ministry highlighted that such practices could compromise their health and contravene existing regulations on animal-assisted therapy, which specify the use of adult animals.

To enforce the new ruling, regional authorities have been tasked with monitoring and ensuring that puppy yoga classes are discontinued.

The National Board for Animal Protection in Italy supported the ban, reflecting concerns raised by dog expert Giusy D’Angelo. She pointed out that the classes could lead to impulsive pet adoptions, as participants may make hasty decisions driven by their emotional responses during the sessions. D’Angelo also noted that the logistics of transporting puppies to these classes are often inadequately managed, citing issues such as unsafe transport conditions and insufficient water provision.

These criticisms align with sentiments expressed by international animal welfare organizations. For instance, the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has previously recommended seeking alternative activities to puppy yoga, suggesting that the practice does not provide any substantial benefits to the animals involved.

Despite the popularity of puppy yoga and other animal-themed yoga variations, such as kitten and goat yoga, in Europe and the US, the move by Italian authorities underscores a growing scrutiny over the ethical implications and the true beneficiaries of such wellness trends.