Michelle Ganpt Leads Puppy Yoga and Sober Yappy Hour for Recovery

Get ready for an evening of movement, mindfulness, and puppy love. Mountainside Treatment Center, SPCA International, and Friends of Recovery Westchester staged a Puppy Yoga & Sober Yappy Hour at Friends of Recovery Westchester, 235 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, offering a wellness-focused gathering that paired guided yoga with time alongside puppies and a sober social hour afterward.

Instructor Michelle Ganpt led a gentle, movement-based yoga session "paired with animal assisted interaction to support relaxation, body awareness, and emotional regulation." Event copy described adoptable puppies from a local animal rescue as part of the experience, saying that being “by your side, the session creates a calm and supportive space that encourages connection, presence, and healthy coping strategies.” After the yoga portion, attendees were invited to stay for a sober Yappy Hour described as a "relaxed social gathering" where guests could "connect, ask questions, and engage with representatives from all three organizations" while enjoying complimentary non-alcoholic beverages provided by Do'Mo Drinks and Atmosphere Brewery.

The event aimed to give people in recovery and interested community members a low-pressure way to practice self-care, meet service representatives, and socialize without alcohol. For attendees, the practical value was immediate: movement and grounding through yoga, brief structured interaction with animals known to reduce stress, and post-class time to ask Mountainside, SPCA International, or Friends of Recovery staff about programs and supports.

Several operational details remain unclear from promotional materials. Two different start times appeared in event listings: an event listing showed Feb 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM, while an Instagram post listed 6–8 PM; neither source explained the discrepancy. Session-length templates from puppy-yoga providers also conflicted: some promotional wording described a 75-minute class with 45 minutes of yoga followed by 30 minutes of puppy time, while other provider materials laid out a 60-minute format split into 30 minutes of guided yoga, 15 minutes of puppy yoga time, and 15 minutes of play and cuddles. Materials further conflicted on puppy sourcing, some event text said puppies were adoptable from a local rescue, while provider templates stated they partner with local breeders. Safety language warned that "participating in a class with puppies carries risks like scratches or bites" and made clear that "All participants must sign a waiver before joining the session," and that interaction with puppies may not be guaranteed to protect animal welfare.

If you plan to attend similar events, verify logistical items before you go: confirm the correct start time for the class, the session length and schedule, whether puppies will be adoptable on-site, and the event's age and late-entry policies. For White Plains neighbors, the gathering offered a concrete, community-centered example of recovery-oriented programming that pairs wellness practices with social support and animal-assisted engagement; organizers and rescue partners may adapt format and policies for future events, so expect follow-up opportunities and additional sessions if interest remains high.