Did you know there are places in Massachusetts where you can hang out with some adorable animals, have a drink, and do some yoga? The owners of two local spots joined Boston Public Radio on Thursday to talk about how it all works.
Beyond Yoga & Wellness
Ashley Bousquet started Beyond Yoga & Wellness earlier this year.
She teaches private lessons and small group classes from her home in Spencer, just west of Worcester, as well as other locations around the state. Among those offerings are animal yoga classes featuring piglets and goats, all compassionately raised by close friends.
“I would say maybe upwards of 75% of people have never taken a yoga class before. They come for the animals,” Bousquet explained.
She brought Daisy, a 3-week-old Nigerian dwarf goat, to Boston Public Radio on Thursday after a yoga class.
Ashley noted that seeing the animals makes everyone smile, creating a humbling experience. The animals help people stay present and grounded, which can be hard to do in yoga. It’s a more laidback class, as she described.
“There’s less structure in the sense that if you feel like picking up an animal and hanging out with the animal, you’re encouraged to do so,” she said. “Piglets are very social animals. Just like goats, they like to be a part of the herd. They like to feel included.”
Bousquet explained how research shows animal companionship offers numerous benefits, including reducing anxiety and promoting feelings of joy.
Bousquet’s classes attract a diverse group of people, including those from behavioral health organizations and families traveling from out of state.
“I had someone call from Arizona and say, ‘Hey, I have family in Massachusetts. I’m coming to see them in August. Do you have any classes in August?’ So I have families now congregating to come to my classes from across states. And it’s really powerful,” she said.
“There’s a reason why we use animals as emotional support creatures. And I think all of this is tied into that and that animals are very therapeutic.”
Park-9 Dog Bar
Emily Gusse, co-founder of Park-9 Dog Bar, said their flagship location in Everett has indoor and outdoor areas where dogs can roam on or off-leash, while humans can grab a drink.
“It’s really kind of a choose your own adventure experience,” Gusse said. “You really just get to let your dogs be dogs while the humans get to socialize and have a drink and really get to enjoy each other.”
Gusse emphasized that people want to spend time with animals that provide them such joy and such happiness and these types of reliefs.
“No guilt and no more ditching your friends to stay home with the dog,” she said.
Gusse also emphasized that visitors don’t need to be a dog owner to stop by.
“Even if you can’t have a dog for whatever reason, responsibilities, apartment, whatever else, get to enjoy being around dogs.”
Park-9 also hosts adoption events and a monthly puppy yoga series, where guests can do yoga with adoptable puppies from local rescue organizations like Great Dog Rescue and Sweet Paws Rescue.
“They bring in adoptable puppies that get to run around in the classes and showcase how amazing these animals are and how worthy of adoption they are.”
Recently, Park-9 also announced a seasonal secondary location: Park-9 at “The Station” in The Fenway in collaboration with Samuels and Associates.
“It’s a pop-up beer garden, so it’s fully outdoors. Anyone who’s coming down to that area for a game or a concert, more than welcome to stop in. And really, it’s a great place for the residents of that community to have a place to take their dog.”
