Charleston Animal Society and Roper St. Francis Healthcare Partner to Create Couch to 5K Training Program
Lowcountry Residents Encouraged to Get Fit with Their Dogs in Preparation for Celebrity Paws in the Park.
Athletic trainers from Roper St. Francis Healthcare and a pet behavior expert from Animal Planet have teamed up to create a Couch to 5K Training Program with Charleston Animal Society for people who want to get fit with their pups as exercise partners.
The Couch to 5K Training Program launches today as a series of video training segments and downloadable guides at Paws.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org as part of Celebrity Paws in the Park Presented by Crews Subaru. The training program is free for people to access and use.
“The start of the New Year is a perfect time to start a new exercise routine,” said Danielle Greenman, athletic trainer with Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “We also know that it’s more fun to exercise with your dog. We were so excited to put this unique program together to help people and pets!”
The self-guided program can be either six or eight weeks in duration. The video segments guide participants through preparation, hydration, food, safety, obstacles and developing a plan. There is an “Overview,” a “People” version and a “Dog” version for each topic along with a handy guide for easy reference. Anyone can access the program by visiting Paws.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org and clicking on the “Couch to 5K” tab at the top of the page.
The Couch to 5K Training Program is generously sponsored by Roper St. Francis Healthcare, the Lowcountry’s only not-for-profit healthcare system and its largest private employer. The healthcare system has four hospitals with 657 beds, six strategically located emergency rooms and more than 110 facilities and doctors’ offices across five counties.
Expertise from celebrity dog trainer and star of Animal Planet’s “My Big Fat Pet Makeover,” Travis Brorsen, brings dogs into the picture.
“This training series guides even novice pet owners on how to select the right collar and leash, provide proper food and hydration, and train dogs to be safe and fun exercise partners,” Brorsen said. “Our goal in creating the video series was to provide a fun and easy tool where people working with their dogs can get fit together with the goal of participating in the 5K fun run or walk for Celebrity Paws in the Park on March 19 at Riverfront Park in North Charleston.”
Live 5 News – WCSC Meteorologist Joey Sovine is joining in the fun as part of the video series as well as a participant in the training program.
“Live 5 has a deep commitment to people and pets in this community and we could not resist being a part of Celebrity Paws in the Park this year,” said Amanda Curry, Live 5 News Marketing Director. Live 5 News – WCSC is the official television partner for the Couch to 5K Training Program and Celebrity Paws in the Park.
People and dogs of all shapes and sizes are invited to Riverfront Park (1061 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405) on Saturday, March 19, 2022 for Celebrity Paws in the Park presented by Crews Subaru. Anyone can participate in a competitive 5K race or a leisurely fun run and walk with their dog. Then, families are invited to sit, stay and play all day in six activity zones throughout the park, including the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Adoption Zone, Dock Dogs® diving competitions and health and wellness services for pets. Those interested in participating can sign-up now at Paws.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org SEE PHOTOS HERE.
