Pueblo’s new mobile dog gym makes it paws-ible for dogs to exercise in any weather.
Pueblo’s new mobile dog gym makes it paws-ible for dogs to exercise in any weather.
A party bus for pooches is making the rounds in Pueblo, helping dog owners get their pets some exercise no matter the weather conditions.
The Infinity Park K9 Gym is the first of its kind in Pueblo and is an extension of Jon Wessel and Cass Rupp’s Pet Care Pueblo business.
“We started the pet services in 2023 and just added the gym in March,” Rupp told the Chieftain. “It’s a converted Denver International transit bus outfitted with heat for the winter and air conditioning for blasting the cool in the summer.”
Inside, two state-of-the-art treadmills offer dogs from 10 to 220 pounds a safe place to exercise. The couple’s clients include pit bulls, working breeds such as herding dogs, huskies and even a Cane Corso.
“Herding dogs can run up to 20 miles a day when they are working. When you keep them in the house and take them on short walks around the block, that really is not enough,” for the amount of exercise they crave, Rupp explained.
So far, the couple has invited dogs into the gym one at a time. Often, they are wary canines who are not necessarily great with other dogs and need a bit of a confidence boost.
“We have one client that did not even want to climb up into cars to go for a ride, but after four sessions, now he is dragging mom and dad out the door when we show up with the bus,” Wessel explained.
“It’s amazing to see that transformation. They all set their own pace,” he said.
The Cane Corso covers 2.5 miles in 15 minutes. A female husky who likes to just stroll on the treadmill will cover three-fourths of a mile in 15 minutes.
The couple uses different methods to get the dogs going: some like treats, others toys with squeakers, and some are motivated by hunting calls or different scents applied to the toys.
One dog who didn’t seem interested in trying the treadmill changed his mind after some ear scratches, Wessel said. The party bus atmosphere is made complete with a multicolored light feature.
“We are not required to, but we do follow Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act regulations — that’s the agency that oversees animal shelters in Colorado,” Wessel explained.
Not sure if your dog will like the gym?
“We offer a free 15-minute trial for new clients,” Wessel said.
How the unique business came to be
The couple decided to try the doggie gym because their own dogs needed it and they realized they weren’t alone. Certain canine clients could not go for walks in the summer, even if they started out at 7 a.m., as the temperature was already too warm for some breeds.
“We do know of at least one other mobile canine gym in the Denver area, but we are Pueblo’s first and the first we know of south of Denver,” Wessel said.
The couple moved to Pueblo in 2019, and originally hail from Wisconsin. They also offer pet services like training, regular walks, outdoor playtime, medication dispensing, and overnight or drop-in pet sitting services.
The couple is “not going to shy away” from special needs clients and “even have one blind client,” Wessel said.
“Some of our dogs are diabetic and have other medical needs,” Rupp said.
“This has definitely been an adventure. We had not done anything like this before,” Wessel said.
To find out more about the business and pricing, visit petcarepueblo.com. To see videos of some of the dogs in action, check out the Infinity Park K9 Gym Facebook page.
You can also catch the Infinity Park K9 Gym at the next three Saturday Pueblo Farmer’s Markets at 10 a.m. May 17, May 24, and June 14 at Mineral Palace Park, 1600 N. Santa Fe Ave., where information and tours will be provided.
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X at x.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
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