The Italian Ministry of Health has outlawed “puppy yoga” sessions, stating that only adult dogs may participate in order to safeguard both participants’ safety and the health of animals.
The government acknowledged in a memo distributed on April 29 that organizers frequently “borrow” pups from breeders.
However, because puppy yoga “improves wellbeing,” it should be considered a kind of “animal assisted therapy,” which is only legal for fully grown animals.
In puppy yoga, dogs are usually allowed to wander freely throughout the class and are occasionally included in yoga positions. Alternatively, there may be a yoga class and then playtime with the puppies.
The government requested that local officials conduct inspections to make sure puppy yoga programs are not allowed.
