Pawsome Yoga Event Happening at the Boyd County Animal Shelter

Pawsome Yoga Event Happening at

the Boyd County Animal Shelter 

Gwen Akers 

The Ashland Beacon

Summertime in Boyd County means fireworks, hot dogs and of course wagging tails. The Boyd County Animal Shelter hopes to add to this fun with their own summer themed events. Their June event, Poses for Paws, seeks to provide the community with a fun-filled day of yoga, nose kisses and sweet dogs ready for adoption. 

After a successful Christmas event, the Boyd County Animal shelter began brainstorming ideas for how to bring more fun, connection and dog walking time into our community. Their new facility, which opened in 2024, also provides the shelter with a large area perfect for events. Soon after, the shelter was contacted by Marissa Davis of Vagabond Vinyasa, a travelling yoga business. Davis was inspired by the work of the shelter to lead a yoga class for community members, with entry being a bag of dog food. 

“The reality of the life of shelter dogs is that many end up in shelters due to no fault of their own. They don’t choose their circumstances. They don’t have control over where they end up or what happens to them. I want to in this class focus on the parallel between that and the human experience. Sometimes, as people, we also find ourselves in situations that we didn’t choose and can’t control. That’s where the core message of this class comes in,” explained Marissa Davis. “I hope that people leave this class with a sense of empowerment and inner stability. With confidence in themselves to handle whatever curveballs life may throw.”

Blaire Hicks, a dedicated volunteer of the shelter, notes that the goal of this event is to welcome the community to the shelter and introduce them to some of the wonderful dogs Hicks and other volunteers have the pleasure of working with. 

Hicks began volunteering at the shelter to help out with particular dogs who needed some extra care and love. Since starting there, Hicks has been vital in helping at the shelter. For her, events like these are an opportunity for community members to make connections and find joy. 

“I love dogs, I don't have children, I'm married, we have three dogs of our own, but they enrich our lives so much,we just love giving back and helping others find a special friend that brings love into their life,” said Hicks. 

Hicks and other volunteers such as Julie Moore have been integral in providing the dogs at the shelter with support and kindness. They also help the shelter offer these opportunities to the community, as well as provide evening adoption hours Tuesday through Friday, 4pm-8pm. Community partners like the DogWizard have also helped support the shelter.

In July, the shelter will host another new event, SPAYwatch. Happening on July 18 from 1pm-5pm, SPAYwatch will bring together local vendors, food trucks and of course dogs for a fun evening on Fraley Lane. 

Make sure to mark your calendars to visit the shelter for their Poses for Paws yoga event and their SPAYwatch event in July. 

“There’s no shortage of things to do when it comes to a shelter and how to promote it, and we just appreciate any help we can get, and sometimes these little events we have can contribute to that and sometimes we find friends along the way that want to stick around,” explained Hicks. 

For more information about the Boyd County Animal Shelter or to meet dogs such as Tater, Weasel, Ivy and more see their Facebook page or visit them at 1617 Fraley Lane, Ashland, Ky 41102.