Hattiesburg Hot Yoga Partners With Humane Society for Adoptable Puppy Yoga Sessions

Three events in and Hattiesburg Hot Yoga hasn't had an empty mat yet. The studio's latest "Puppy Yoga" collaboration with Hub City Humane Society on Sunday, March 15, sold out just like the two before it, filling the floor at 4400 Hardy Street with practitioners sharing their space with a handful of adoptable puppies.

The format is straightforward: a 45-minute guided yoga session led by HHY owner Emmalee Bolton, followed by 15 minutes of open playtime with the pups. But the purpose runs in two directions at once. "The puppies get a little bit of extra enrichment time and love. They're all up for adoption, so we hope they can get adopted today," Bolton said. She also sees the sessions drawing in people who have never unrolled a mat before. "It's great for people because for a lot of people, this is their first and only yoga experience, so it's a good way to kind of introduce people into that fitness world."

The animals come directly from Hub City Humane Society, a nonprofit that depends on community donations for food, puppy pads, and other pet essentials. For HCHS Event Coordinator Gaven Wallace, the partnership is an extension of the organization's broader mission in the Pine Belt. "Our mission at Hub City Humane Society, we hope to be the home for animal welfare in the Pine Belt," Wallace said. "We not only want to provide homes to homeless animals, but mistreated animals as well. We want to find forever homes for every animal that needs one."

Events like Puppy Yoga serve as community exposure for animals that might otherwise wait longer for placement. The low-key, wellness-focused setting lets potential adopters interact with the dogs in a calm environment rather than a shelter environment, which benefits both parties.

With three consecutive sellouts behind them, HHY plans to host another session soon. A University of Southern Mississippi volunteer listing previously scheduled a session for April 5, 2025, at the Hardy Street studio from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., brought to the community by United Way of Southeast Mississippi, indicating the partnership has been running across multiple seasons. Those watching for the next available date can follow the Hub City Humane Society or Hattiesburg Hot Yoga Facebook pages. Spots fill fast, and attendees should plan to bring their own mat. To reach HCHS directly, contact Josie Owens at (601) 596-2206 or hchs.adoption@gmail.com.