Animal lovers and yoga enthusiasts alike gathered for a heartwarming experience on Saturday, February 28th, when Life Time Fitness partnered with Three Little Pitties Rescue to host a Puppy Yoga event on the Baybrook Mall lawn.

The morning started with a gentle flow yoga lesson led by instructors Alyssa Warren and Amanda De San Andres, accompanied by puppy mingling that had attendees laughing, stretching, and cuddling the adorable rescue dogs throughout the session. 

What started nine years ago as three women rescuing dogs out of their cars has grown into a large-scale rescue operation. Three Little Pitties Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Friendswood, Texas, and has since rescued over 20,000 dogs and cats to find them permanent homes across the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and East Coast.

“We started with just a few dogs, and now we have a warehouse in Friendswood with kennels and puppy areas,” said Suzanne Pilsner, the Three Little Pitties Rescue Fundraising and Events Coordinator. The organization has also recently acquired additional property to expand its services, with plans for a new clinic, walking trails, indoor and outdoor play areas, and a welcoming volunteer center.

The rescue focuses on a foster-based model, which was described as a major difference from traditional shelters.

“We match fosters with dogs thoughtfully,” Jessica Klonaris said, the Director of Fosters at Three Little Pitties Rescue. “We supply food, supplies, and medical care, and our adoption coordinators work behind the scenes to find the perfect homes for each animal.” This system allows them to take in dogs with medical or behavioral challenges and to support other local shelters by transporting animals across the country.

The rescue typically transports 120-150 dogs every two weeks, many from local shelters that cannot adopt out on their own, ensuring that more animals find homes while freeing space for urgent rescues.

The puppy yoga event offered a unique combination of wellness and animal advocacy. Attendees not only enjoyed a relaxing yoga session but also had the opportunity to meet rescue pups up close to help raise awareness for Three Little Pitties Rescue’s ongoing capital campaign, which aims to expand medical services and community outreach.

For more information on fostering, adopting, or attending future events with the Three Little Pitties Rescue, visit their website.