Pets can power greater fitness

A national fitness program to be announced today by Mars Petcare suggests looking no further than the family pooch. The Power of Pets, which aims to get families and pets walking and playing together, makes its debut this month at YMCAs in five cities: Brooklyn, N.Y.; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Nashville; and Portland, Ore.

"Healthy lifestyles are about nurturing the spirit, mind and body -- and pets certainly play a role in that," says Ted Cornelius, executive director of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. "We encourage families to play together every day, and incorporating the family pet is a great way to make everyone more active." Programs will include owner-dog yoga, obstacle course events and Frisbee contests.

Mars Petcare, through its Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition, is a major sponsor of research on the benefits of human-animal interaction. Recent studies show children who have pets are more active, and seniors who walk dogs are healthier than seniors who rely on human partners for exercise.

"With obesity levels rising and health levels falling, we want to, ... help address those very serious issues," says Waltham's Karyl Hurley. "Walking or playing with a pet doesn't feel like 'exercise.' ... You might find excuses not to make it to the gym, but you will make sure your dog goes for a walk."Having a pet does help people be more active, suggests the company's survey of 1,000 owners: # 39 percent of pet owners say ensuring their pet is active has made them more active. # 64 percent of dog owners prefer to exercise with their pet than alone.