STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In the heart of the Flatiron District of Manhattan, women are taking charge of their heart health by cuddling puppies to reduce stress.
Here’s their story
The American Heart Association has teamed up with The Puppy Sphere, turning the “Go Red for Women” movement into a “Go Red and Get Snuggles” wellness experience designed to combat what’s being dubbed the “silent killer” — through mandatory puppy therapy.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States and worldwide, claiming roughly one in three female lives — roughly 300,000 plus deaths annually in the U.S.
Puppy Sphere is a wellness company that hosts puppy yoga classes, blending gentle, beginner friendly 45-minute yoga sessions with three minutes of free-roaming, playful puppy time.
Designed for stress relief, the classes focus on wellness, joy, and animal socialization, often featuring litters of adoptable puppies.
And just to put a local spin on the initiative, our own Gabriella Marinelli, Miss Staten Island, an executive assistant and anchor producer for “Good Morning America,” partnered with the Miss America Organization, to host a fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association and the Miss New York Organization.
More on the American Heart Association and Miss Staten Island
According to statistics, nearly 45% of women ages 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.
As Miss Staten Island, a local brand ambassador in the Miss America opportunity, Marinelli’s partnered with the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women Campaign” as a way to raise awareness and funds.
Marinelli’s role in the campaign is to encourage people to move their bodies through yoga and have playtime with puppies for the soul along the way.
“As a result more than $600 was raised for the cause through only one class,” said Marinelli, before adding, “We had 45 minutes of yoga with the pups and then three minutes of social time.”
Small businesses also donated to the cause
Staten Island small businesses also climbed on board.
Marinelli went on to explain that the European Wax Center donated product samples and pamphlets, while Baya Bar sent an assortment of acai bowls to enjoy after class, as well as discount vouchers to their Staten Island location.
Charm Me by Expressions put together goodie bags and extra donations, and the American Heart Association’s NYC Chapter provided awareness items such as stress balls and key chains.
Chasen Creative also donated products from Gisou.
Attendees included family members, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
And though hardly any of the participants ever took a yoga class, those who became involved in the endeavor left wanting to take a puppy home, and raised funds for a very worthy cause.
Miss Staten Island raises $$$ at ‘Puppy Yoga’ to benefit American Heart Association’s ‘Go Red for Women’ Campaign
