I’ve always believed that movement should feel joyful, inclusive, and meaningful. Not intimidating or transactional. When I first discovered puppy yoga, I loved the concept, but I knew I wanted to do it differently. I wanted it to be more than a novelty. I wanted it to genuinely support animal welfare while creating moments that people would remember long after they left the mat.

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Where It All Started

Before Paws and Poses I spent years working in veterinary clinics, animal rescues and fostering animals. I was disinfecting enclosures for an abandoned litter of puppies one day and bottle feeding a newborn camel the next. Being behind the scenes of animal care, especially with vulnerable and rescued animals, shaped the way I see and value animal welfare.

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Through fostering and veterinary work, I saw firsthand how important enrichment, socialisation, and calm human interaction can be for puppies, particularly those who’ve had a rough start in life. That experience sparked a strong desire to create something that put animal wellbeing first — not as an afterthought, but as the foundation.

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Bringing Rescue Puppies to Puppy Yoga

When Puppy Yoga launched in Perth, I knew I wanted to do something no one else was doing.

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We are proud to be the first and only puppy yoga experience in Perth to welcome rescue puppies, alongside responsibly sourced and rare breeds. This was incredibly important to me. Rescue puppies deserve positive, gentle experiences that help them build confidence — and our classes provide exactly that. Additionally, our classes have helped raise funds for multiple animal rescues including: Dogs Refuge Home and No Pup Cleft Behind.

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Every puppy we work with is carefully selected, closely supervised, and given plenty of rest. Their needs always come first.

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More Than Just a Class

Puppy Yoga isn’t about perfect poses or intense workouts. It’s about creating genuine, meaningful moments — the kind that help people slow down, laugh, and feel present. Whether it’s a puppy curling up on your mat during savasana or a spontaneous moment of play between poses, these small interactions are what make each class special. Our sessions are beginner-friendly, relaxed, and designed so you can simply show up as you are.​

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How We Do Puppy Yoga Differently

Not all puppy yoga classes are run the same — and that’s intentional.

From the beginning, we made a conscious decision to operate differently to many other puppy yoga experiences. Our sessions are designed around what’s genuinely best for the puppies, not what allows us to run the highest volume of classes.

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We give our breeders and rescue partners real autonomy. They choose:

• How many classes they participate in

• The length and frequency of breaks

• When puppies need to rest or step away

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This flexibility ensures puppies are never pushed beyond what’s appropriate for their age, energy levels, or temperament.

Longer breaks and smaller classes are a core part of how we operate. Class sizes are intentionally limited to reduce overstimulation, allow calm interactions, and create a more meaningful experience for everyone involved. Chances are if you are seeing a puppy yoga company hold classes back to back, with very short breaks or with multiple breeds in one day, they are operating unethically. 

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We also hold ourselves to exceptionally high hygiene and quality standards:

• Professional-grade cleaning protocols between every session

• Use of F10 veterinary disinfectant — not standard household cleaning sprays

• High-quality bedding, toys, yoga mats, and playpens

• Carefully selected equipment that prioritises comfort, safety, and durability

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We don’t cut corners or "cheap out" on equipment or care. Because when it comes to animal welfare, details matter.

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Puppy Welfare Comes First — Always

Animal welfare isn’t a marketing line for us. It’s the reason Paws and Poses exists. We work closely with ethical partners, rescues, and breeders who share our values. Class sizes are intentionally limited, puppies are rotated and given breaks, and every session is structured around what’s best for them — not what looks good on social media.​