Italy bans ‘puppy yoga’ after reports of alleged

Health ministry says only adult dogs can be used for ‘animal assisted’ wellbeing activities

Passionate yogis in Italy have been taking their downward dog to the next level, snapping up mat spots in studios offering “puppy yoga” classes. But the health ministry has curtailed the growing trend after banning use of the pups to protect the animals’ health and welfare.

In a note on 29 April, the ministry said only adult dogs could be used for “animal assisted” wellbeing activities, including yoga. The ministry said it had been made aware of organisations that would “directly contact dog breeders” in order to temporarily use puppies for yoga sessions.