Junior Caroline Basu cuddles with one of the six goldendoodle puppies brought by the Puppy Yoga Club this February. Courtesy of Caroline Basu

On February 12th, 2025, Puppy Yoga club ran its first event, introducing six goldendoodle puppies to the School. The event was an instant hit for the stressed students amidst the second semester. 

Puppy Yoga Club is led by freshman Penelope Moore, who herself entered a puppy yoga class with her mom. Feeling inspired by this experience and having two dogs of her own, Moore wanted to share the experience of puppy yoga with other people at school by starting the Puppy Yoga club at school.

To prepare for club events, President Moore contacted Amber Jay, a puppy yoga instructor who runs a separate business from the puppy yoga class, asking if she would be interested in leading a puppy yoga class in Upper School. 

“Amber Jay has been working with us, and she attended the last meeting to lead the yoga exercises. She’s there to boost wellness, lead people through mindfulness exercises, and help us regulate the club,” Moore said.

“It attracted a lot of freshmen, but also a lot of people from other grades. I saw so many seniors and a lot of juniors as well. I think around 150 people came, and there was a long line of people waiting for the doors to open before the event started,” Moore said.

Freshman Vice-President Eleanor Simmons, who does not own a dog, enjoyed getting to interact with the puppies.

“I don’t have dogs because my brother’s allergic, so it’s really fun for me to come to school and play with dogs. This club allows people who don’t have dogs a chance to interact with them,” Simmons said.

Puppy yoga also gives students a place to socialize and let go of the academic expectations that Upper School brings.

“People like to play and have fun with the puppies. It makes everybody laugh and just have a good time. Sometimes the dogs can do funny things like fall over or run around. People can also connect with their peers a little bit more by sharing the dogs,” Moore said.

According to News in Health, interacting with animals decreases cortisol levels, a type of stress-related hormone, lowers blood pressure, and increases dopamine levels, thus, reducing one’s stress and anxiety levels. Upper school students often feel overwhelmed with negative emotions from schoolwork and pressures. Having a place at school to help relieve these emotions through animals and yoga can increase mindfulness and release stress.

The school has also brought other animals on campus in the past: therapy dogs, pigs, goats. Puppy yoga club centered around bringing puppies to add another level of cuteness to the whole experience.

“I think puppies are a lot more playful and approachable than other animals. For the breeders, these events are also great chances for them to socialize their dogs and make sure they’re comfortable around people,” Simmons said.

In the future, Puppy Yoga club plans on running more events, aiming for around two per semester.