How ZoomPaws Mobile Pet Gym is Giving SPCA Dogs a Leg Up
In the bustling environment of an animal shelter, high energy can sometimes be a hurdle to adoption. And for some dogs, the stress of kennel life can make it hard for potential adopters to see the calm, loyal pup underneath the excitement.
That’s where Jennifer Ortiz and Laslov Tomashevsky, owners of ZoomPaws Mobile Pet Gym, come in! Driven by a pure passion for animal welfare, the duo recently partnered with the SPCA Serving Erie County to provide free weekly “gym sessions” for adoptable dogs who need an extra outlet for their energy.
The ZoomPaws van is a climate-controlled, mobile fitness suite designed specifically for dogs. Using specialized non-motorized “slatmills,” dogs can run at their own pace, with the speed entirely controlled by them.
“We want them to look at it as their playtime activity,” Laslov explained. “It’s not just physical; it’s mental enrichment. Once they figure out they can stop whenever they want, or sprint as fast as they can, you can’t stop them! They’re just focused and happy.”
For the SPCA’s high-energy residents, these 30-minute sessions are game changers! As the SPCA’s Director of Capacity and Outcomes, Leigh Ann Abbey said, “the goal is to help dogs decompress. When a dog has a safe place to run it out, they return to their kennels calmer and more relaxed.”
The impact of this exercise was proven almost immediately with a dog named Nuke, a one-eyed Cane Corso who was available for adoption at the SPCA.
“He was definitely nervous in the beginning,” Jennifer recalled. “It took maybe five minutes for him to realize he was safe. Then he started trotting, his tail was wagging, and his tongue was out. He was just focused on that one job.”
The shift in Nuke’s demeanor was palpable. After finishing his workout, he proudly showcased his newfound confidence to visitors, and, later that day, he found his new home!
Jennifer and Laslov’s commitment to the SPCA is deep-rooted. “Our goal is to work with the dogs so people see that ‘Hey, this is a good dog,” Laslov said. “We want to help them find homes where they stay for good.”
To ensure that progress continues after adoption, ZoomPaws is offering a special gift to the community: all SPCA dog adopters receive $25 off an Introductory Package when booked within the first two months of adoption! Whether it’s a snowy Buffalo morning, a rainy Buffalo afternoon, or a humid Buffalo evening, ZoomPaws provides a consistent, safe way for new owners to keep their pets healthy and happy.
“We want all dogs to live long, healthy lives,” Jennifer added. “If we can help even one dog feel more confident and find a home, it’s all worth it.”
To learn more about ZoomPaws or to book a session for your own pup, visit their website here! >>
Each adoption includes the animals’ general physicals by SPCA Veterinary Services; spay/neuter surgeries; age-appropriate vaccinations; initial deworming; doses of flea control medicine; Feline Leukemia tests; microchips; temporary identification tags; and a certificate for new pets’ physical examinations at the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society’s veterinarian of choice.*
