Austin Fit Magazine March 2021: 12th Annual Fittest Dogs Issue

MAR 2021

Local Treats for

Your Pup Tips to Train Your Dog at Home Best Dog Breeds for Your Allergies

Acupuncture and Your Pet

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A N N U A L

I S S U E

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Carey Kepler with Ronda & Brook Owner & Coach at CrossFit Central Burnet Rd.

the heart of Discover Austin’s Own Nulo Pet Food

pet food.

Find a Local Store at Nulo.com

From the Director A ton of Austinites were out — and there were almost as many pups out as there were humans, relaxing and soaking in the Texas weather. They were zooming all over the grass, sniffing, making friends and exploring.

Each dog that trotted past me was excited and full of energy, enjoying their playtime at one of Austin’s most beloved parks.

Here at AFM, we have a few issues that we do on an annual basis: our Best Of Issue, Swimsuit Issue and, of course, our Fittest Dogs Issue. It never fails to be one of the most asked-about issues we have ever had.

While this might come as a surprise to some, it’s no surprise to Austin Fit. Austinites treat their dogs as family, bringing them to runs, taking them along to dine and even to get a puppachino while picking up a coffee.

This year, we received an abundance of submissions for our 12th annual Fittest Dogs Issue. From adorable pictures to impressive accolades, it was incredibly tough to narrow down the winners. We were all beyond impressed with the level of activity these pups put in on a daily basis, from Sophie Monster, a long-distance yorkie putting in six- to eight-milers, to Milton, a three-legged lab who racked up more than 200 miles in the last year (and even paddleboards).

In addition, we’ve packed this month’s pages with puprelated content. Check out some of the coolest and most unique dog treats in the area, learn a few of the health benefits of owning a pet, look into how acupuncture can treat your pet, discover a few fun finds and more.

Dogs can bring so much joy and color into our daily lives, which is why they really are man’s best friend. As our companions, they never judge us and will always be tail-wagging and ready for any hike, excursion or adventure. They are the purest, happiest and most loving species, and we’re lucky to have them.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their pup! To meet our 12 winners, head over to page 40.

AUSTIN IS AS MUCH OF A DOG-FRIENDLY CITY AS IT IS A FIT CITY.

I

always knew this, but it wasn’t until I was at Zilker Park on a 70-degree Thursday afternoon for one of our Fittest Dog shoots when I realized just how much Austinites love their pups. I got to the park just before 4 p.m., expecting the place to be semiempty (as it was a weekday and still part of the workday), but I was very wrong.

Keep Austin Fit,

Emily Effren

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

MARCH 2021

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Exposure

PHOTOGRAPHER OLLIE WOLTERS IG: @LAKEAUSTIN360 L O C AT I O N

Town Lake

Want to possibly be featured in AFM? Email your work to afmteam @austinfitmagazine.com!

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

March 2021

40

THE GOOD STUFF

AFM’S 12TH ANNUAL FITTEST DOGS

28 TIPS TO TRAIN YOUR

58 ACUPUNCTURE

DOG AT HOME

MARCH 2021

AND YOUR PET 6

Contents

HIGHLIGHTS

Letter from the Director 4 | Digital Content 8 | Ambassador’s Corner: Jason Bourgeois 72 | Event 84 | Rides and Races 86

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ADOPTING THE UNDERDOG

54

THE DASHING DACHSHUNDS OF BUDA, TX

60

BEST DOG BREEDS FOR YOUR ALLERGIES

NUTRITION

Recipe of the Month 10 Treat Your Pup 12 Swap This for That 16 Essential Spring Smoothie Ingredients 18

LIFESTYLE

WELLNESS

Brief History of Bat City 22 Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals 26 Tips from a Trainer 28 Fun Finds for Your Pet 36

Acupuncture and Your Pet 58 Man’s Best Friend 62 Till Death Do Us Part 66 Meet the Texas Sweats for Pets Winner 70

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FITNESS

Best Hikes in ATX for You and Your Dog 76 Workout of the Month: REGYMEN 80

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

AUSTINFITMAGAZINE.COM We’re more than just a monthly publication. Join us online and on our social networks to see the additional awesomeness we’re up to. austinfitmagazine.com

AVOID EXERCISINGAT-HOME BURNOUT

LIFESTYLE

How to Get Started Goal Setting this Spring

MARCH 2021

WELLNESS

5 Activities You Should Stop Doing to Improve Your Sleep

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FITNESS

Reasons to Run with Your Pup

CEO | LOU EARLE PUBLISHER | LYNNE EARLE CTO | DREW TERRY

#KEEPAUSTINFIT Follow us on Instagram: @ AU S T I N F I T Tag us or use the hashtag #keepAustinfit for your post to be featured.

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT | EMILY EFFREN ART DIRECTOR | BEN CHOMIAK PHOTOGRAPHER | BRIAN FITZSIMMONS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT | MONICA HAND PROOFREADER | HAYLEE REED CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jason Bourgeois, Rachel Cook, Kati Epps, Debbie Kung, DAOM, Mike de Lota, M.D., Cindy Present, Jessica Tranchina, DPT INTERNS Emily Metzger, Jessica Oswald

GENERAL INQUIRIES info@austinfitmagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES lynne@austinfitmagazine.com 512.608.8554 EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS austinfitmagazine.com/article-submission fitfocus@austinfitmagazine.com EVENT LISTINGS austinfitmagazine.com/events SUBSCRIPTIONS austinfitmagazine.com/subscribe p 512.407.8383 Austin Fit Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements, in that the views expressed therein may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any magazine employee or contributor.

This publication and all of its contents are copyrighted.

Austin Fit Magazine is the assumed name of its publisher, Louis M. Earle, who has no interest in the business of Denis Calabrese who operates an exercise program under the assumed name of Austin Fit, which trains individuals to improve their jogging or running skills to participate in marathons. The views, opinions and other representations published in Austin Fit Magazine are not those of Austin Fit or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

NUTRITION CONTRIBUTOR

Soup Peddler Real Food & Juice Bar

MARCH 2021

RECIPE OF THE MONTH n Warm up with this green detox broth recipe from Soup Peddler.

RECIPE:

h t o r B x o t e D n e e r G Makes 1 qua

rt of soup

G RE E N D E TOX B R OT H INGREDIENTS: 1½ tsp raw organic coconut oil ½ large yellow onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 large zucchini, diced 1 whole broccoli crown, roughly chopped 1 bunch kale, de-stemmed and chopped 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 3 tsp fresh lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste PREPARATION: 1. Saute onion and garlic in coconut oil until onions are translucent.

2. Add zucchini, kale and broccoli.

3. Add three cups of filtered water and cook until all vegetables are very soft.

Remove from heat and add cilantro, parsley and lemon juice. Puree with an immersion blender or Vitamix blender.

Season with salt and pepper.

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Insider tip: Find this broth every single day at all five Soup Peddler locations in Austin. Buy a 32oz bag for a quick and convenient, sippable green boost to your day.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

NUTRITION AUTHOR

Monica Hand

TREAT YOUR PUP n Get your fit pup a special treat with these cute and creative options around town.

P E T F ROYO | PAW S O N C H I C O N

H

ere in Austin, we love our dogs. It’s as much of a dog city as it is a music city, and there’s no better proof of that than the hundreds of dogs that grace Zilker with their presence each day. With dog lovers comes the insatiable market for dog-centric products and stores.

Perhaps the best part of a dogforward city is the creativity that produces the most amazing pet products — and what’s more Austin than a creative food menu? Here, we’ve rounded up some of Austin’s most creative dog treats and eats that any doggo is sure to wolf down — pun intended.

PHOTO BY

JESSICA OS

WALD

When it gets hot in Austin, everyone lines up for an ice cream cone or smoothie to help cool off. So, why not give that same delicious relief to your pup or cat? Local pet store and AFM Best Of 2020 winner, Paws on Chicon, offers soft serve and froyo for pets Friday to Sunday, and all other days the treat can be found in their freezer section. Flavor options include bacon, peanut butter, pumpkin, blueberry, banana and vanilla. You can find them on Chicon Street and a second location opening on South Congress.

MARCH 2021

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SA L M O N BA RK & D O G BA IT | BA RK I N ’ CR E E K

PHOTO COURTES Y OF BARKIN’ CR

EEK

You may know Barkin’ Creek as the go-to for locally handcrafted and quality-ensured dog meals, but now the company has branched out for its first foray into treats even cats can enjoy with two new products: Salmon Bark and Dog Bait. The Salmon Bark is sourced from the cold waters of Norway before it is dehydrated and hand-packed to provide a wealth of nutrients to your dog or cat. Meanwhile, the Dog Bait (still cat-friendly, too) brings the best flathead minnows from Arkansas to be dehydrated and hand-packed to ensure the natural nutrients go straight from the bag to your pet’s belly.

WO O F WAFFLES™ | THE OR IG IN AL D OG TR E AT TR UC K C OMPAN Y PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ORIGINAL DOG TREAT TRUCK COMPANY

The Original Dog Treat Truck Company took the Austin icon of the food truck and dog-ified it! When you’re out and about, it’s hard to say no to these yummy-smelling food trucks — and now you can spoil your pup with a midday snack, too! Best known for their trademark Woof Waffles, these treats are designed to help keep your dog’s coat shiny and soft while also keeping their digestion regular. Grain-free, made from scratch and vegan, these waffles are sold in packs of four cute critter shapes.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

n NUTRITION M E ATBA L L & G R AV Y | YA RD BA R

PHOTO COURTESY OF YARD BAR

When you take your pup to Yard Bar on Burnet Road, they can not only play hard but eat hard, too! Along with the doggy ice cream and treats on the dog-friendly menu, Yard Bar also offers a Meatball & Gravy dish just for Fido! This meal is made with ground turkey, brown rice, celery and carrots — making it healthy and delicious for man and woman’s best friend! Not to mention, it’s the perfect snack to recharge with after playing with all the other four-legged friends while the dog parent enjoys the people-friendly menu and drinks.

AUST IN FIT MAG AZIN E T HEMED T R EAT S | WOOF G AN G BAKE RY & G ROOM ING At Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, each cookie is handcrafted, designed and decorated by hand. The local Woof Gang team is an impressive gang of culinary degree-holders and chefs that have worked at several top Austin restaurants. In honor of the March Fittest Dog Issue, the pastry chefs at Woof Gang put together these Austin-Fit-inspired treats.

Made with oats, wheat flour, honey, vanilla and cinnamon, these fit treats are the perfect postplaytime snack!

MARCH 2021

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As any Austinite knows, tacos and beer are the best combo since Willie Nelson and country music.

So, why shouldn’t your dog get to join in on the delicious and iconic duo, too? With Dog Treat Delivery, you can make that happen with a Taco Tuesday box paired with a Cheers to Beers treat box. Not to mention there are plenty of other options for fun, creative treats like the PawPaw John’s Pizza box and custom smash cakes — all for your four-legged best friend. Dog Treat Delivery offers plenty of options for your dog or even as a gift for a dog-loving friend.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOG TREAT DELIVERY

TAC O & B E E R B OX | D O G T RE AT D E L I VE RY

VAR IO US T R EAT S | P & F P E T P R OVIS ION S

IMAGE FROM IG @PANDFPET

P & F Pet Provisions is the wonderland for pets — full of toys, accessories and more. Plus, it has a variety of baked goods offered on location that are sure to get your pup’s tail wagging. Every dog that walks through its doors is sure to be spoiled as the staff work hard to get to know each dog individually, from their allergies to their favorite toys. With cute baked treats like peanut butter cups and pupcakes that look like they should be in a people food bakery, your pup will feel pampered and satisfied.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

NUTRITION AUTHOR

Coach Kati Epps

SWAP THIS FOR THAT n Ditch the junk for a satisfying substitute.

W

hile many of us wish we could wave a magic wand over a donut or slice of layered, chocolate cake and make it healthy, unfortunately that’s not the case. But, while we don’t have magic wands, we do have healthy and just as tasty alternatives.

This is the ultimate quest of the nutrient-, calorieand macro-minded chef. How can Italian, Tex-Mex or a favorite Asian flavor be transformed from its original version to one that fits a clean-eating lifestyle? The answer is surprisingly simple: swap some ingredients!

It is common for people to assume that when they are eating healthy, they must cut out the foods they enjoy. To some, a healthy diet means “no more pasta, no more chips and salsa, no more chocolate,” and “bland, boiled and blah,” — this is simply not true. A lasting lifestyle change is created by making choices, some substitutions and learning to eat more items that are highly nutritious — and still incredibly yummy.

It is also common for people to believe eating clean and nutritious foods takes hours and hours of preparation. While weekly meal prep can keep a person

MARCH 2021

on track with their nutrition goals, it may become overwhelming with time, dishes, storage and travel.

The easier the food is to swap, the more likely the habit will stick.

What are the best ways to do it, with the least amount of work?

• Make your own pasta: Using a vegetable pasta/ spiral cutter, a sweet potato or zucchini can become the base for your favorite pasta dish to pump up your vegetable intake.

• Air fry everything: There’s a reason these are so popular right now — it’s easy with minimal clean up. Using an air fryer, you can crisp up veggies, make juicy chicken nuggets or add a side of Frenchfried potatoes without the excess oil and extra fat!

• Pack in protein: Add a scoop or two of protein powder to your pancake mix, favorite bread recipe or your morning coffee for some increased musclebuilding and fat-burning potential.

• Build a bowl: Removing the tortilla, bun or bread from a meal and replacing it with mixed greens

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Breakfast:

Replace sweetened strawberries and cream oatmeal packet with: 1 cup oatmeal, 3 strawberries, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 egg 292 calories, 36.2g carbohydrates, 10.6g fat, 14.3g protein, 6g fiber

Snack:

Replace a packet of fruit snacks with: 1 apple sprinkled with cinnamon 72 calories, 19.1g carbohydrates, 0g fat, 0g protein, 3g fiber

Lunch:

Replace a burger, fries and soda with: Lean beef burger on mixed salad greens and homemade potato fries with sparkling water 369 calories, 30g carbohydrates, 16g fat, 26g protein, 4g fiber

Snack:

Replace an afternoon cookie with: ½ dark chocolate bar and 15 almonds 214 calories, 16.4g carbohydrates, 15g fat, 5g protein, 4g fiber

Dinner:

Replace spaghetti with bolognese with: Zoodles (spiralized zucchini), garden vegetable marinara and turkey meatballs 205 calories, 15.3g carbohydrates, 2.4g fat, 30g protein, 5g fiber

preserves the flavor and cuts the carbs!

• Kick the processed: Eating unprocessed, whole foods keeps you fuller longer. Processed foods leave the body hungry sooner. Why is this the case?

Processed foods are just that — processed. The body does not need to break them down the same way a whole food item would need. Whole foods are more nutrient dense, and vegetables have high levels of fiber. A portion of chicken breast slows digestion in a positive way, allowing for more nutrient absorption.

Trying to eat healthier can still taste delicious. With a few substitutions, you can eat more and stay satiated longer, all with less caloric intake.

These are just a few ideas for creating a healthy, long-lasting lifestyle change without losing beloved foods. Balance is important, which is why most “all-or-nothing” diets fail. When completely eliminating food groups or flavor profiles, nutrition plans become unsustainable. The greatest success comes when making small changes over time becomes second nature.

Other popular substitutions include: Rice becomes cauliflower or broccoli rice Spaghetti becomes spaghetti squash Carnitas become jackfruit

Cheers to finding great ways to make healthy, flavorful foods! afm Coach Kati Epps is the founder of MyBody GX with a background in chemistry from Colorado State University, and is an ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach and nutrition specialist.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

NUTRITION AUTHOR

Jessica Tranchina, PT, DPT

ESSENTIAL SPRING SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS n Keep your immune system strong with these essential ingredients.

W

hile much of the Generator Method is related to fitness, this month I’d like to discuss the part that relates to nutrition. A dialedin nutrition plan can be something that is so difficult to nail down and is sometimes difficult to navigate without a nutrition coach or other expert. When I’m feeling confused about what to eat to help fuel my body the best way I can, my go-to is a smoothie — since I know the chances of me screwing it up are far less than with any other meal!

MARCH 2021

While smoothies may have gotten a bad rap in recent years from added sugars and scoops of ice cream, a smoothie (read on for the recipe) can add a ton of health benefits to your daily routine.

I drink a smoothie every single day. Why? Because like most of you, I’m busy and can’t spend a lot of time cooking, yet I want to make sure I’m eating as healthy as I can. Smoothies are the quickest and easiest way to squeeze in a nutritious, vitaminpacked, healthy meal. Smoothies are also an easy way to add ingredients you otherwise may not think or want to eat, or are easier consumed blended.

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Not all smoothies are healthy, but I make sure that mine provide as much nutrition as I can pack into a single serving. Even my family drinks and enjoys them, too!

I promise, they are delicious.

Jess’ Smoothie Benefits

Not only is it tasty, but this particular blend will provide natural energy, fight inflammation, boost the immune system and is loaded with antioxidants.

While your social media feeds may be flooded with healthy, creamy looking smoothies, they’ve always had popularity for some solid, justified reasons.

• • • • • • •

Jess’ go-to smoothie recipe:

1 banana 2-3 cups of leafy greens 1-2 tbsp chia seeds ½ cup raw carrot 1 tbsp almond butter 1 cup frozen berries ½ cup frozen mix mangos, pineapple, strawberries • 3 cups water • Blend and enjoy!

This smoothie is so nutritious — and so delicious!

Green smoothies are a great way to increase your fruit and vegetable intake and add some superfoods to your daily diet.

• They are a convenient and delicious way to pack in nutritious vegetables and fruits.

• They provide hydration that we all need.

• They provide tons of fiber to help with gut health and aid in digestion throughout the day.

While some of the components of my smoothies vary from day to day, there are three ingredients I never leave out.

1. Leafy Greens

This can be a combo of spinach, kale and mixed greens — really, it’s whatever I have in the house, but leafy greens provide the base for

my smoothies. The more the better!

Leafy greens are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with so many nutrients our bodies need: • Potassium: a very significant body mineral, important to both cellular and electrical function.

• Beta-carotene: gives our skin that healthy glow.

• Folate: helps your body produce mood-regulating

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neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin.

• Magnesium: to help support vascular health.

• Calcium and vitamin K: for optimal bone health.

• Antioxidants and polyphenols: to fight inflammation and support your immune system.

• Chlorophyll: to help cleanse your liver for a natural body detox.

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

n NUTRITION 2. Chia Seeds

Do you add chia seeds to your smoothies? If not, you definitely should. Chia seeds provide a massive amount of nutrients with very little calories.

A one-ounce serving of chia seeds is high in antioxidants and contains: • Fiber: 11 grams • Protein: 4 grams • Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are omega-3s) • Calcium: 18% of the RDI (recommended dietary intake) • Manganese: 30% of the RDI • Magnesium: 30% of the RDI • Phosphorus: 27% of the RDI • They also contain a decent amount of zinc, vitamin B3 (niacin), potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B2.

3. Mixed Berries

Finally, similar to the leafy greens, whatever I have on-hand goes into my smoothies, but I always add a handful of these nutritious powerhouse fruits.

In addition to being an excellent source of antioxidants, fiber and folate, berries also provide several other benefits:

• Anthocyanins: preventative and therapeutic properties, such as the ability to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

• Polyphenols: can improve or help treat digestion issues, weight management difficulties, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease and cardiovascular diseases.

They help clean out the builtup toxins in the brain that are a contributing factor in

Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that eating at least two servings of berries per week can reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease by up to 25%.

• Blueberries are especially great because they can be frozen and still retain all of their nutritional benefits. afm

ENJOY!

MARCH 2021

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APRIL 11-30

LIFESTYLE AUTHOR

Monica Hand

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAT CITY n How Austin went from anti-bat to the famous Bat City.

T

he Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats who, in the warmer months, become a spectacled, flying frenzy.

Watching those bats fly out from under the bridge at dusk is a cherished tradition by tourists and locals alike, and these days, the bats are some of Austin’s most treasured residents. However, it wasn’t always that way, as what was once considered a nuisance to the public has now become one of Austin’s calling cards and biggest drivers of nature-centered tourism.

The bats had always been in the Central Texas area, with the largest Mexican free-tailed bat colony on the outskirts of San Antonio at Bracken Cave. This collective population of bats is known to spend its winters in Mexico and then migrate north to spend its summers throughout Central Texas’ limestone caves.

So, the city of Austin had been battling what it labeled as “pests” since its founding in 1839. What brought them to the bridge was purely a case of accidental, architectural genius in 1980.

“People always ask why they aren’t under all the other bridges,” D.J. Cornwell, longtime bat tour guide of Lone Star Riverboat, says. “It’s because of the expansion gaps. They’re about two inches wide, two feet deep — the perfect bat roost.”

Within those crannies of the bridge’s underbelly, the humidity and temperature conditions are perfect for bat pups (bat newborns), so each spring and summer the expecting female bats set up shop. That’s why in the

MARCH 2021

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later months of September through November, the bat spectacle at dusk is significantly bigger — the new pups have joined in.

The city simply didn’t know what to do with itself as the population grew each year, and in 1984, three years after the bridge’s completion, it declared a public health crisis and began thinking of ways to block off the gaps. Austin would have done it, too, if not for the bat advocate that came to Austin on a mission to save the bats: bat expert, author and founder of Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation, Merlin Tuttle.

It was actually Tuttle that led the campaign advocating the bats to the Austin public. He had traveled the world studying and promoting bats ever since he was a boy, having grown up down the road from a large bat cave. He even founded Bat Conservation International as a response to the lack of bat advocacy within other animal conservation organizations.

“I got involved in conserving bats because, as I was doing my research, I found that cave after cave would have been burned or bats intentionally destroyed, sometimes many thousands,” Tuttle says, “always by people who were misinformed by the health departments that the bats would transmit rabies or disease.”

Tuttle found through his efforts that with simple education on the importance and harmlessness of bats, people easily changed from wanting to exterminate bats to wanting to build bat houses on their properties.

“I had just begun to feel a hope that bats could be conserved when the headlines from coast to coast alleged sometimes hundreds of thousands of bats attacking the people of Austin — which wasn’t helping my conservation efforts,” Tuttle says. “So, I relocated BCI to Austin from Milwaukee.”

Once in Austin, it didn’t take long for the media interviews and the talks with leading citizens to help turn the tides in the bats’ favor. They highlighted the bats’ benefits in eating of the central Texas pests, such as the earworm moth, which targets a wide range of crops and mosquitos, and the fact that they rarely contract rabies and even more rarely transmit it to another animal.

“I found that all you have to do is be well informed, communicate clearly, and if you’ve got a good story, people will alter their behavior,” Tuttle says. “We were able to go from citizens so frightened of the bats to declaring Austin the Bat City.”

Now, Austin brings in more than $10 million in summer tourism annually and boasts the Bat City title with pride through art and references seen throughout the city.

WE WERE ABLE TO GO FROM CITIZENS SO FRIGHTENED OF THE BATS TO DECLARING AUSTIN THE BAT CITY.”

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

n LIFESTYLE

D.J. CORNWELL

PHOTO BY JESSICA OSWALD

PHOTO BY JESSICA OSWALD

“Bat tours are by far our most popular option,” Cornwell says. “It’s just one of those things that you have to do when you come to Austin — see the bats.”

There are several ways to watch the bats from standing on the bridge itself to finding a good vantage point at the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail or Statesman Bat Observation Center. Take to the water on a kayak or paddle board to schedule a spot on one of the boat tours. The tours are a mix of fun and facts, as the guides take their time to point out the wealth of history and building in Austin as they await the moment that the bats begin to pour out from under the bridge. Once the bats start showing up, it can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes for them all to take flight and head off east into the sunset, creating a memorable and mesmerizing wonder.

The bat-watching season typically starts in March and runs until November when the bats make their way to Mexico — promising to return to the city that loves them once again in the spring. afm

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AFM APP IS HERE!

Check out AFM’s latest stories and issues — all on our new app! Available now on iOS. Android coming soon.

LIFESTYLE AUTHOR

Rachel Cook

SERVICE ANIMALS AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS n Learn the difference between the two and what you need to know about these helpful companions.

A

t first glance, service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) can seem like two very similar labels and, in a way, they are. But what it takes for an animal to qualify as one or the other does differ in some major ways. Here, we’ve broken down the guidelines to allow for a general understanding of what’s what.

host programs with puppy raisers who work to prepare the pups for training. After formal training, the dogs are then paired with someone in need of a service dog.

Under the ADA, “state and local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally” are required to allow service dogs even where pets would not typically be allowed.

Documentation or proof that the dog is “certified, trained or licensed,” according to the ADA, is not allowed to be required for entry of service dogs into a facility. That being said, service animals must accompany their handler and be leashed.

In regard to more specific scenarios, the ADA has a more extensive list of information on the legal rights of owners of service dogs. For example, if it is not obvious that the animal is a service animal in a public location, staff members may only ask two questions: “Is the service animal required because of a disability?” and “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?” Handlers of service animals are guaranteed the right to the same treatment as anyone else in a public space. Hotels cannot charge for animals or

Service Dogs

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service dogs as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” These tasks directly support people who are impeded by disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, calming those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and more.

This specific training distinguishes work animals from pets. Service dogs typically breed and then begin training around six months old.

Some organizations, such as Canine Companions,

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assign “pet-friendly” rooms to guests. Hospitals and ambulances must also, generally, accommodate service animals so as not to separate the animal from its handler.

Emotional Support Animals

An emotional support animal is any animal that provides comfort and support regularly. For emotional support animals, there is only one legally defining characteristic that qualifies an animal for the role: an ESA letter written by a licensed therapist, meaning just about any kind of animal can be considered an emotional support animal, not just dogs and cats.

The purposes and benefits of emotional support animals are quite different from those of a service animal, which could be why the government didn’t recognize ESAs until the Federal Fair Housing Act and Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Unlike service animals, they are not trained to perform any particular task.

Their owners only receive and keep a written ESA letter confirming that the designated animal serves the purpose of supporting the owner who has been diagnosed with a mental illness.

The benefit of an ESA letter, under the Fair Housing Act, includes the ability to keep the animal “as a reasonable accommodation to a housing provider’s pet restrictions.” This reasonable accommodation could look like requesting to “live with an assistance animal at a property where a housing provider has a no-pets policy” or “a request to waive a pet deposit.” However, it’s important to note that public spaces are not legally required to allow emotional support animals, therapy, comfort or companion animals and are not protected under the ADA. afm

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

LIFESTYLE AUTHOR

Emily Effren

TIPS FROM A TRAINER n Looking to train your dog at home? We’ve got you covered with these tips from local dog trainer, Adam Gates.

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ith the lack of social interaction from COVID-19, many resorted to adopting a furry friend to join the family. According to Shelter Animals Count, an animal adoption tracking database, the national pet adoption rate jumped up 22% in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Texas, in particular, was one of three states with the highest intake rates in the nation in 2020, only second behind California, according to the database.

With more furry family members comes the need for more training, especially with more time at home when pets can become used to constant attention and interaction. Whether it be for convenience, to save money or to opt for more time with their pup, many may want to train their dog — and train them well — at home.

This month, we spoke with senior trainer, Adam Gates, at Sit Means Sit Dog Training here in Austin to learn the most effective ways to train your pup in the comfort of your own casa.

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When to Start

While dogs can begin training at any age, Gates says the best training window is between seven weeks to 20 weeks when social learning is happening, such as meeting other dogs, people and experiencing new situations.

“For more advanced training, long term, you’re looking at about five months, [which] is the best age to start doing the really advanced stuff — working towards off-leash, that kind of thing,” Gates says.

Basic Commands

In the beginning of training, Gates recommends starting with foundational skills such as sit, down and place commands, which is where an owner will tell a dog to report to a certain spot in the house.

“What I would recommend is [to] have little bait stations spread out around the house, with his cookies in a jar or treats up on the counter — that kind of thing.

And anytime you are to walk past that area, you have your dog do a skill,” Gates says. “Whether it’s [where] you call your dog to come and sit or you have your dog down, but that way, consistently throughout the day, you’re having your dog practice training, but it doesn’t really affect your time.”

One successful aspect about this type of training is that an owner is constantly giving their dog attention, while not making the experience feel like a designated training session. Gates says this type of training mimics everyday life and is great because the dogs aren’t anticipating commands.

Find What Motivates Your Pup

“Not all dogs are treat-motivated. If your dog’s just eaten breakfast, he’s probably not that motivated by a treat. So, if your dog loves toys, using toys is a great idea. But initially, it’s about working in a quiet room, [minimizing] your distractions, [finding] something that motivates your dog,” Gates says.

Before trying to teach a command, Gates recommends playing with the dog for a moment so they are happy and paying attention to the owner.

Then, place the treat over the top of their nose so they are looking up at the owner. This is likely to offer a position change, and once the dog has sat down, give them the treat and play with the dog again to reinforce the behavior that the owner likes.

“Typically, you don’t really want to label commands until you’re getting a consistent response,” Gates says.

“And so, what I like to tell people is, ‘I don’t name it until I love it.’”

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

n LIFESTYLE

Leash Training

necessarily. So, one thing I like to do is teach a lot of drive to run to a kennel quickly, to lay down in a kennel, to practice training exercises inside a kennel so it becomes more of a training space; it’s a little bit more enriching,” Gates says.

Next, practice leaving for brief time periods and wait for the dog to settle before returning, Gates recommends. Then, when coming back inside, run over to the kennel, open it and play with the dog.

However, Gates says it’s important that the kennel not be opened until the dog is calm, because this teaches the dog that, by relaxing, the dog is likely to get the owner back — instead of whining to get the owner back.

When teaching how to behave on a leash, Gates says it’s important that the dog first understands the boundary of the leash.

“One thing I like to do is clip the leash to my dogs, and start in a hallway or in an open room, and start moving forward with the dog,” Gates says. “The moment they start to pass by my feet, I’m going to start walking backwards and encouraging them with lots of energy, lots of cheerleading, so they start moving back towards me and then rewarding them when they get back to me.”

Gates says the reason behind this training is to teach direction change and to respond to the owner’s voice and movement, instead of relying on tugging on the leash to put them in position.

Don’t Give Up

“The number one thing, really, is not to give up,” Gates says. “If you’re working and you’re having difficulty with a dog that’s struggling learning a new skill or something like that, scale back to something simple and end on a good note with your dog.”

Gates mentions there is no place for emotions in

Being Kenneled

“If they’re going to be kenneled when the owner leaves, really teach them what that kind of space is. The kennel space shouldn’t mean isolation

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dog training, as frustration experienced by an owner can cause a dog to get frustrated too, and answer that frustration in the form of negative behaviors such as biting, nipping or jumping.

“There’s really no point in getting very frustrated or upset, but rather just show the dog what a better option would be,” Gates says.

“There needs to be that kind of balance there. If you’re finding you’re working with your dog and you’re limited of time, or you’re having minimal success, your dog seems frustrated, you seem frustrated — seek out a trainer that’s going to help work with you to not just train the dog, but to teach you how to work through those moments,” Gates says.

When to Seek a Professional

Before Getting a Dog

While dogs can be trained at home, Gates says that sometimes, owners will come across certain issues that are outside of their wheelhouse.

“Some of those more emotional issues — definitely seek out a trainer. Have them help you work through that,” Gates says. “It definitely needs to be a system where the owner is being coached on the training just as much as the dog is being trained.”

When going through formal training with a professional, Gates says having the owners being coached alongside their dog is just as important, because the training will likely not be effective if the owners don’t know how to handle certain situations or behaviors.

“Consider what your lifestyle is, or consider what your lifestyle is going to be,” Gates says.

It’s important to do research prior to getting a dog, because their breed is a significant indicator of what their temperament may be.

Gates also recommends analyzing one’s day-to-day activities, both during and after COVID-19. If someone enjoys going out on the weekends, Gates recommends getting a dog that is very sociable and high energy, and vice versa for someone who likes to stay in.

“One thing I like to tell people a lot is, the most aesthetic-looking dog is the dog that behaves the best,” Gates says. “So, don’t always pick the cutest dog in the shelter — pick the dog that seems to match you.” afm

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

LIFESTYLE AUTHOR

Emily Effren

ADOPTING THE UNDERDOG n Some pups get regularly passed over due to their age or breed — here’s why you shouldn’t let those factors play into your adoption.

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here are many aspects that play into the adoption of a new, furry family member.

Age, breed, personality and more typically dictate what kind of pup a family or household is looking to bring in. As Katera Berent, public relations and events manager at Austin Pets Alive! puts it, while puppies “fly off the shelf,” there are a few pups in particular that get regularly passed over, having to wait another day, week or year (or more) until they find their forever home.

MARCH 2021

Local rescue organization, Austin Pets Alive!, looks at things a bit differently: they do not put a time limit on any animals and euthanasia is absolutely not an option.

“2020 in particular — it has been a groundbreaking year. We had the most long stay dogs go home than any year prior. Of our dogs who were long stays in December 2019, one year later, December 2020, 65% of those had been adopted,” Berent says.

While over 12,000 pets were adopted from APA! in 2020, there

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were a few pups that are still on the hunt for their forever home. Some specific factors, such as age and breed, play into why these types of dogs spend more time in shelters than others.

Adopting the Older Dog

While puppies fly off the shelf, Berent says that adopting an older dog has many benefits — especially for a home that is looking to not have to train.

Because they have had more time to train, an older dog isn’t as likely to wake up in the middle of the

night crying to go outside, Berent says. And, if they have been in a shelter for a significant period of time, they’ll likely be fully trained.

If one is looking for a low-energy pup, an older dog may actually be the best option.

“If someone is looking to adopt a senior dog, know that you are very selfless in doing so,” Berent says.

“Even though you might not be able to have them for a very long time, they’ll make up for that with all the love they’ll give you in that short amount of time.”

Breaking the Breed Stereotype

Dogs that are bigger, shepherdlooking or pit-bull-type dogs are typically the ones found on apartment restriction lists and are stereotyped as dangerous, aggressive or inherently mean, Berent says.

“It’s just simply not true. Every dog is an individual,” Berent says. “They all have their own personalities and their own traits — things that make them tick, things that scare them — and it would be doing a disservice to dogs in

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general to group them all under an umbrella, especially like a negative connotation by their breeds, because what we fully believe is that breed doesn’t dictate behavior.”

According to the National Canine Research Council, a 2019 report on dog shooting by law enforcement of pets in routine police encounters found that “1. Circumstances vary widely and misconceptions can lead to shootings that might otherwise be avoided. 2. Commonly held beliefs about dog behavior are often inaccurate and based on stereotypes.”

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

n LIFESTYLE Current Long Stays at APA! Looking for a Home

In terms of aggression, according to the Canine Journal, the dog listed at the top of the bite statistics list was not a big dog, but a chihuahua.

In addition, one of the U.S.’s other fit cities, Denver, CO, even just lifted their ban on pit bulls after almost 30 years.

Berent says that APA!, a leading rescue organization in the U.S., works with the mindset not to box in an animal based on their breed or the way the world perceives them.

“We always want to make sure that we’re giving each dog the same chance and the same training and the same love, so that they’re set up for success, and then we can set up our adopters and our fosters for success,” Berent says. afm

MARCH 2021

Zydeco Zydeco, a large mixed breed, first came to the organization in January of 2017 and is one of the longest long stay pups at APA!. While he has a variety of behavioral needs, such as being on-leash reactive, Zydeco is on a treatment plan to temper and train through his reactions.

Berent says that, since he does get stressed in a shelter environment, Zydeco became the first resident of one of their tiny homes on their campus, fully equipped with his own yard, window, crate, dog bed and even a desk if anyone wanted to work and hangout with him. Ever since the creation of his tiny home, Zydeco’s personality has adjusted in a positive way.

“That’s why we made this tiny home for him, so that he can have a better chance at finding a forever home, and maybe a bit easier — and it has been. It’s been incredibly beneficial for him. It’s one of those things where behaviors in the shelter don’t dictate behaviors at home,” Berent says.

Big Caesar At 12 years old and 76 pounds, this dogo Argentino mix is Top Dog trained, which means he has had individualized training and passed all of his tests, such as walking politely on a leash, the sit command, stay command and place command.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AUSTIN PETS ALIVE!

WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE GIVING EACH DOG THE SAME CHANCE AND THE SAME TRAINING AND THE SAME LOVE, SO THAT THEY’RE SET UP FOR SUCCESS, AND THEN WE CAN SET UP OUR ADOPTERS AND OUR FOSTERS FOR SUCCESS.”

Before coming to APA!, Big Caesar was a family dog for four years but had to be given up through no fault of his own, Berent says.

“He is a really, really good dog. But, you know, because of his age, it tends to deter people a little bit,” Berent says.

As a senior dog, Berent says Big Caesar has a lot of patience and doesn’t require training or long walks — a perfect companion for someone who is looking for a furry friend to hang out with them while working from home.

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King Triton (KT) As a staff and volunteer favorite, King Triton is 90 pounds and handsome — a chocolate lab and great dane mix who has been at APA! for three years.

While it can take him a bit to warm up to people, Berent says he loves to snuggle and always has a big smile on his face.

“He just needs, you know, a couple meetings before he can fully trust you, which is understandable when you’ve been at the shelter as long as he has,” Berent says.

KT also has separation anxiety, which could be why some are hesitant to adopt.

“During COVID, it is a perfect time,” Berent says. “Everyone is home, and this could be a great time for KT to find that home — who is willing to hang out with him and let him slowly get used to his surroundings so he doesn’t get super nervous if you leave or go to the grocery store.”

KT loves playing, and he loves his toys. Even though his bursts of energy aren’t for too long, he would be a great companion for a Netflixer or movie enthusiast.

Muffin After coming to APA! in January of 2018, Muffin, a shepherd mix, is a fighter — having survived both puppy Parvo and Distemper.

As a special needs dog, it takes him a bit of extra time to learn commands. Muffin knows sit and stay and has a lot of love to give.

“He definitely knows playtime,” Berent laughs.

Sometimes, Muffin will even play fetch with himself, throwing the toy in the air and then running to go get it, Berent adds.

His foster mom used to bring him to events to get him to meet new people, but since COVID-19 and the cancellation of many in-person events, it’s been difficult to get him in front of people to meet and fall in love with him.

While his foster mom is a great advocate for him, Berent says he is still looking to find his forever home.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

LIFESTYLE AUTHOR

Emily Metzger

OM A

MAZ ON

FUN FINDS FOR YOUR PET

PHO TO F R

n AFM-approved finds to benefit you and your pet.

O

Collapsible Bowl 

If you love bringing your pet along to work, to run errands or take walks, a collapsible bowl is a must. It is a portable and lightweight water bowl with a silver clasp that can be attached to a leash, belt, backpack, bike and more. Some bowls can hold over four cups of water or food, perfect for any size pet. They are dishwasher-safe and the flexible material is easy to clean. These are also great for travel, whether it be for a weekend road trip or

PHOTO FROM AMAZON

ne of the greatest feelings of fulfillment is gifting thoughtful presents to those you love — including your pets! So many new and convenient pet products hitting the market: companies are upgrading the ways we care for our furry, little friends. These modern gadgets and gizmos can make life’s mundane canine challenges much easier on the owner and the pet.

This month, the AFM team has rounded up some of the trendiest and unique products that will definitely have to be added to Fido’s Amazon wishlist.

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while flying to your next vacation destination.

Scratch-Proof Dog Seat Cover 

As much as owners enjoy having their pups tag along on a car ride, sometimes dogs can leave a mark on your vehicle — scratching the seats, leaving dog hair or dirt everywhere or even accidentally going to the bathroom. Before Fido tags along on your next trip, consider getting an easy, attachable and scratch-proof dog seat cover to protect the integrity of your car while still getting to bring along your pet bestie.

In this version, found on Amazon, the durable, waterproof material makes it comfortable for your pet to cruise around on while also making it a trouble-free clean afterward.

The local company has perfected customizable dog toys, collars, leashes, clothes, blankets, beds, bowls and so much more. They can work with your favorite brand or company to create pet products your dog and owner will love to show off. All you do is go to their website to personalize your product for the brand you wish to use, and PrideBites will reply within 72 hours with a mock-up presentation.

So, instead of purchasing fun pet products that everyone else has, why not create your own!

Y OF RTES

PACK ACK

NAB

HA RE T

MO

PHOTO FROM IG: @PRIDEBITES

PrideBites 

U O CO HOT

P

PetSafe Smart Feeder 

Dandy 

Think about those popular IG ads for a pouch of customized daily vitamins — but make it for your pup. This Austin-based company formulates a custom pack of four daily supplement treats that can be implemented into your dog’s daily diet. Ranging from $40-$50, your dog will receive a whole month’s supply of vitamins to better optimize their health and anxiety. The supplements are vet-formulated, non-GMO and contain allnatural ingredients. Forget researching and scouring the pet store to find the healthiest vitamins!

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URTESY OF PE

TSAFE

Splurging on your pet does not necessarily have to be in the form of toys or a treat; it can also be something useful for you. Not ready to end the night out but need to feed your pet?

This smartphone-controlled smart feeder lets you feed your pet anywhere, anytime with the click of a button. The feeder also offers slow feed options, so you can personalize the amount of food they receive — which can end up being very useful for owners who struggle with over- or under-feeding their pets. In addition, this smart feeder is also compatible with Alexa devices. Alexa, can you feed Fido?

PHOTO COURTESY OF DANDY

This portable cat backpack will give your kitten the opportunity to fully live out their dream of looking like a feline astronaut. This pet travel carrier from More Than a Backpack is fashion-forward and keeps your cat close and safe. The large ventilation holes provide adequate air circulation, and it is lightweight to carry around, depending on the size of your cat.

You can even add a small blanket at the bottom to make your cat even more comfy while coming along on an adventure!

PHOTO CO

Cat Carrier 

Pet products are booming as owners constantly seek to make life easier, healthier and more fashionable for their furry friends. So, treat yourself and your pet to a new, fun product that will leave both you and your pooch thrilled! afm

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

fuel their inner-athlete

™

show us your dog’s gold medal moments on Instagram.

Tag @nulopetfood & #healthiertogether

nulo.com

APRIL MARCH 2021

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2020

A F M ’ S

1 2 T H

A N N U A L

Meet 12 of Austin’s fittest canine residents.

AUTHOR AFM TEAM

Winger (Golden Retriever)

In his very first season of dock diving in 2020, Winger took home the third highest jumping golden title in the U.S. with a personal best distance of 26'3". Plus, this stud has a love for acting and has been featured in various commercials and conferences. He’s an all around, extremely driven and natural athlete! When he’s not busy competing or acting, Winger enjoys hiking and doing anything active — not to mention he could play fetch for days.

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LeBron “Ronnie”

(French Bulldog)

He may be small, but boy is he mighty! This little guy has no problem jumping off a 10-foot cliff at Zilker Park. LeBron, named after his dad’s favorite basketball player, is pure muscle. His low-gravity body is agile, dense and built like steel — and can even (occasionally) outshine his Camp Gladiator Trainer mom. When he’s not sniffing, exploring or chasing squirrels, you’ll find him eating coconut oil by the spoonful or Netflixing it up while lying on his back like a baby.

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Squat (Mini Long-Haired Dachshund)

Every morning, this mini dachshund trots gallantly alongside his mom on their two-mile walk. Squat loves to eat his doggy cereal every morning and every night because he’s always working to keep his gainz. He hasn’t missed a day in the gym and is particularly fond of leg day — even though his are particularly short! Along with being impressive at the gym (while occasionally strapped to his mom while she is doing pull-ups), Squat is also super sociable and loves everyone he meets. When he’s not being active, Squat loves to watch his mom and dad exercise and get some quality sleep on their yoga mat.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

Tucker (Labrador)

While he’s only 3 years old, this lab still has the energy of a fewmonth-old puppy. With such a surplus of energy, Tucker became a sprinter that competes in hunt tests all over the state of Texas. In 2020, he even earned his Senior Title in AKC! Built like a racehorse, Tucker is a speed demon not just on land but in water, too.

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ACE (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)

While he was bred to be a lap dog, Ace’s owners swear he was a husky in another life — mainly because he is just as active as all of the Austin community put together. Ace loves practicing sprints with his dad and can even do a three, two, one countdown when racing. When he’s not hiking local trails, chasing a good tennis ball or chewing on a healthy snack, you’ll find him exploring this dogfriendly city. In just his first year in Austin, Ace visited over half of Austin’s many dog parks!

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

Stormy (Border Collie)

While many dogs love playing with their toys, they don’t pick up after themselves — but this doesn’t apply to Stormy the Border Collie. Not only does this pup know the names of all of her toys, but she returns each one to her toy box when she’s finished playing with it. Among Stormy’s passions, she loves to play with soap bubbles (which do not go in the toy box), and she even plays frisbee every single morning without fail. When accompanying her owner for a stroll, this good girl won’t cross a street or hop off a curb unless her mom or dad allows it.

When coming home from a walk, Stormy will play her own sprinting game where she runs 100 yards and then turns back just to do it again.

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Ted “Teddy” Danson (Wire-Haired Dachshund)

Humans may not always look majestic and beautiful while running, but this pup sure does and will make you do a double take. You may not peg this fluffy, wire-haired dachshund as a long-distance runner, but he loves accompanying his mom as she trains to run through the Grand Canyon — and with his hair in the wind, he’s a handsome sight. Plus, he never complains, even after the end of a longer run. Teddy’s favorite way to cool down? A yoga-inspired belly rub.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

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Cheza (Australian Cattle Dog Mix)

Cheza — meaning “play” in Swahili — is one impressive puppy. At just 10 months old, she’s one of the youngest dogs in American Kennel Club history to earn a Performer Trick Dog title. With more than 100 tricks in her repertoire, Cheza’s most awe-inspiring stunts involve her balancing on a Bosu or yoga ball — or both simultaneously!

When she’s not being a little trickster, Cheza loves agility, rally obedience, swimming in cold spring water, playing with her best human-friends, Jocelyn and Henry, and long hikes.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

Milton (Labrador)

In June 2019, Milton was brought in by Heart of Texas Lab Rescue (HOTLR) with a heap of medical and behavioral problems including depression, malnutrition and wounds stemming from abuse, infection, etc. A wound on his elbow turned out to be cancerous and he needed to have the leg removed immediately.

Fast forward to 2021, and Milton is a funny, goofy lab with a big and sweet personality. Milton enjoys his daily walks with his mom, and they’ve even logged over 200 miles of walking, earning a $500 donation prize to Heart of Texas Lab Rescue.

Even without his front left leg, Milton loves chasing balls, paddleboarding and spending time on the lake.

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PJ (American Staffordshire Terrier)

When he’s not chasing lizards or climbing trees, PJ is a full-time foster brother to his New Hope Animal Rescue pup siblings. When hanging out with the other pups during training, PJ takes on the role as their “personal trainer” while his parents train the other pups. With a triathlete mom, PJ loves accompanying her while training, venturing on an open-water swim, running (at 28 mph) alongside his mom’s bike and pacing her runs. In a family currently fostering their 10th dog, PJ has served as a role model for each and every one of them while nursing them back to health for the last couple of years.

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

Sophie Monster (Yorkie)

Don’t let her age fool you — this little pup is full of energy and ready for some trail-running mileage. At 10 years old, this yorkie loves to run with her mom Sally, who runs with Trail Roots. Regularly, she’ll rack up 6-8 miles, and she loves spending time on the greenbelt! While she is small (only eight pounds), she stays leading the trail-running pack. When she’s not getting her running on the trails, Sophie loves finding food scraps on the floor, rolling around at the beach and riding in the back of her mom’s bike.

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Paik (German Shepherd)

Recently titled in a 12-mile running race with his handler on a bicycle, this pup means business. Paik originally arrived in the U.S. from Germany last fall. He’s a Schutzhund dog (trained in tracking, obedience and protection), and has spent most of his life so far training and competing. Although he’s used to being a working dog, he loves to hang out and is so sweet, loving and funny. When he’s not running around, Paik loves tug-of-war (he’s undefeated), riding in cars and trucks, eating hot dogs and rolling around in the snow (when Austin gets it).

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

THE

DASHING DACHSHUNDS OF

BUDA, TEXAS How this small town made a name for itself as the Wiener Dog Capital of Texas.

AUTHOR MONICA HAND

MARCH 2021

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W

hen Diane Krejci first brought the idea for a dachshund race to the Buda Lions Club, they all gave her “the business,” according to longtime member of the club since 1986, Charles Handrick. But once the jokes melted away, the rest of the members decided that if she was willing to run with it, the club would back her — so she got right to work.

Krejci had gotten the concept from a similar event out in Savannah, Georgia, where her daughter lived.

Having been a big fan of dachshunds, she immediately latched on to the idea and realized it could be a great fundraiser for the Buda Lions Club, where she was one of two woman members. Once she got the go-ahead from the group, one of her first lines of duty was the trophies.

“When she came in with those trophies,” Handrick recalls, “that’s when we knew she wasn’t kidding around. She was going to make this thing happen.”

Although it started as a small affair with only about 35 dogs running from point A to point B, it didn’t take long for the world to catch on to what was going on in Buda, Texas. Each year, the race would grow

little by little until the sixth year, when everything changed. That year, the reporter and television news correspondent Bill Geist of CBS News Sunday Morning did a story on the races, airing the segment across the nation. When it came time for the race, over 600 dogs showed up to get in on the action.

That aggressive spike in numbers created growing pains that were felt across the small town and the even smaller event team, but they managed to quickly meld together to face the new challenges that would continue to arise each year. From working with the city to create a safe parking and transportation option to the fencing of the race itself, it all took time and teamwork with the local people of Buda.

Now, with 23 years of dog races under its belt, the Buda Lions Club has brought joy and smiles to thousands of people from all walks of life every year through the Buda Wiener Dog Races. Some come in from as far as Colorado, Florida and even Wisconsin just to join in on the fun.

Caty Colón, who has attended the dog-lover event for about 10 years and is the founder of San Antonio Lowriders dachshund meetup group, says that the weekend’s events are like Christmas for her. Hailing

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

PHOTOS BY BRUCE FISHER PHOTOGRAPHY

MARCH 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF CATY COLÓN

from San Antonio, Texas, the trek to Buda is a short one, but one she anticipates all year.

“As soon as you park, you are surrounded by dachshunds, and then you get on a bus full of them,” Colón says, referring to the school buses that transport attendants from the local school’s parking lot to the front gate of the event. “It’s one of the most joyous events. Everyone is smiling and there is just dachshund-themed everything!”

The weekend kicks off with a dachshund parade and costume contest, typically in that year’s event theme.

Handrick says themes over the years have included movie spin-offs like “Wiener of Oz” or “Wiener Gump” — which only adds to the hilarity and fun of the day.

The rest of Saturday is spent with festival fun, activities and, of course, preliminary races throughout the day. The day’s activities include a craft fair full of both local and eccentric fares, not to mention all sorts of dachshund-themed items — a BBQ cook-off and more with a changing lineup each year as the team finds new ways to provide entertainment for families arriving from all over the nation.

“We’ve been resisting the idea of adding a beer garden these past few years,” Handrick says, “because we want the event to remain family-friendly, something you can bring your kids and grandkids to.”

Family-friendly is exactly what this event is, with so much to see and do even if you don’t own your own dachshund. The races themselves start on Saturday as heat after heat of prelims go throughout the day and into Sunday morning. Dogs can race in as many preliminary heats as they want if they are aiming to make it into the finals. Each race does have an entrance fee which goes to supporting the various organizations that help put on the event.

Then, when it comes time for finals on Sunday, each heat takes the top two as it slowly works to narrow down the competition pool. In the very final heat, there are only about six competitors — and these are the fastest of the fast.

Once compared to the Kentucky Derby, it’s no surprise that the stakes become so high towards those final rounds, with owners and onlookers growing in anticipation. The first place winner takes home not only bragging rights, but a $500 prize with second and third getting a good sum of money, too. From the colored lanes, colored collars and intricate starting boxes, the race has really amped up the setup over the

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years — all to make the race run smoother, keep track of wandering pups and put everyone on the same playing field.

“We had to invest in one of those photo-finish cameras,” Handrick says. “It was the only way because it can get real close, and people want proof about who got in first if not their dog.”

Colón says that her first dachshund, Bella, had competed in the races that first year they attended the event in 2010, but she and her pup had no idea what they were getting themselves into. With all of the squeaky toys, cheers and people, it was no surprise that Bella quickly got distracted and didn’t quite make her way directly to the finish line. Like most others who attend or compete in the races, Colón says she goes just for the love of dachshunds and the event, not to win the race itself. Although Bella is no longer with her, Colón says she looks forward to getting her newest, Hershey, in a Buda race.

“I’m excited to get Hershey out there. She’s been to the event but never raced,” Colón says. “She’s raced at smaller wiener dog races, but I’m excited to test her stuff at the big one — at Buda, the Wiener Dog Capital of Texas.”

Whether there for the big prize, to meet other dachshunds or just to watch the fun bedlam of the annual event, there’s no losing. Everyone is sure to have a great time and bring home happy smiles and memories of goofy costumes and dachshund shenanigans.

“I think our announcer said it best one year when he said that it’s the only place you can see a grown man jumping and hollering while holding a squeaky toy,” Handrick says. “There’s just nothing like it.” afm

AS SOON AS YOU PARK, YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY DACHSHUNDS, AND THEN YOU GET ON A BUS FULL OF THEM. EVERYONE IS SMILING AND THERE IS JUST DACHSHUNDTHEMED EVERYTHING!” 57

AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

WELLNESS AUTHOR

Debbie Kung, DAOM, LAc

ACUPUNCTURE AND YOUR PET n It can be as beneficial for our pets as it is for us.

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ur pets are our best friends, loving companions, family and fur angels. And, like humans, they can get sick and suffer from similar ailments, too.

Chinese Medicine is as great for pets as it is for humans. Animals also have Qi (energy life force) that runs through their bodies, just as humans do. Incorporating acupuncture and herbal remedies into a pet’s life can be beneficial for post-surgical recovery, aging issues (such as arthritis) and anxiety. On pets, acupuncture treatment can help ease pain, strengthen joints and ensure a high quality of life.

Acupuncture on pets can have a plethora of therapeutic effects on a wide variety of animal conditions:

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• Musculoskeletal/neurological: acute or chronic pain, osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease • Dermatological: lick granulomas, allergies, chronic skin disorders • Respiratory: asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, chronic cough • Gastrointestinal: inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, vomiting • Urinary: chronic renal failure, cystitis, incontinence • Autoimmune diseases, cancer,

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reproductive, behavioral, geriatric issues, etc.

Pet Acupuncture FAQ How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself. For example, acupuncture can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm and cause the release of hormones, such as endorphins (the body’s own pain modulator) and cortisol (a natural steroid).

INCORPORATING ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL REMEDIES INTO A PET’S LIFE CAN BE BENEFICIAL FOR POST-SURGICAL RECOVERY, AGING ISSUES (SUCH AS ARTHRITIS) AND ANXIETY.”

Is it painful for the animals?

For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. The needles used are very thin (hair-like thin). Once they are in place, there should be no pain (unless the animal moves around excessively). Most animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy. Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some temporary sensation such as tingles, cramps or numbness — similar to human treatment — and can be uncomfortable to some animals.

Is acupuncture safe for animals?

Acupuncture is considered a safe and effective form of medical treatment when it is administered by a trained (certified) veterinarian and licensed acupuncturist.

Side effects of acupuncture are rare but possible. An animal’s condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after treatment.

Other animals may become sleepy or lethargic for 24 hours after acupuncture. These effects are an indication that some physiological changes are happening and they are, most of the time, followed by an improvement in the pet’s condition.

How long do acupuncture treatments last, and how often are they given?

The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depend on the condition being treated and the method of stimulation used. Stimulation of an individual

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acupuncture point may take as little as 10 seconds or as much as 30 minutes. A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic conditions may need multiple treatments. When this is the case, treatments usually begin intensively and are tapered to maximum efficiency.

Just like humans, patients often start with 1-2 treatments per week for 4-6 weeks. A positive response is usually seen after the first to third treatments. Once optimum response is achieved, treatments are tapered off based on symptoms.

Some animals with chronic conditions can taper off to 2-4 treatments per year.

When you do get your pet treated with acupuncture and herbs, be sure that your practitioner is licensed in both acupuncture and veterinary medicine. In the state of Texas, both are required in order to treat animals. afm Debbie Kung, DAOM, LAc., is a Boardcertified NCCAOM licensed Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Kung practices TCM modalities such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, Gua Sha, cupping, auricular acupuncture, specializing in stress management, cosmetic facial rejuvenation, pain management, Lyme disease, fertility treatments/IVF support, Bell’s palsy, esoteric acupuncture, sports medicine acupuncture and the battlefield/NADA protocol.

Kung is currently practicing in both Austin, Texas, and New York City.

IG: @kung_acu

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WELLNESS AUTHOR

Rachel Cook

THE BEST DOG BREEDS FOR YOUR ALLERGIES n If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic pup to add to the family, check out this list of a few breeds that won’t get you sneezing this spring.

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Looking for a hypoallergenic pup?

Here’s a list of 10 breeds to get you started in your search.

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hile dog and cat allergies affect 10-20% of the global population, this doesn’t stop all the allergysufferers from adopting a furry companion. Some people adopt a pet before they even realize they have an allergy, which unfortunately can result in the rehoming or surrendering of the pet.

If you suspect you have a dog allergy, it might benefit you to get tested by an allergist to discover the severity of the allergy — especially before adopting a dog.

There are several allergy practices in Austin that perform a skin prick test which involves applying a drop of allergen to the skin and then pricking or scratching that spot.

The patient is then observed for red, itchy bumps. A non-medical option to check for a pet allergy is to have everyone in your household spend time around the dog you plan to adopt before making the commitment.

Consider the Coat

The best dogs for people with allergies are dogs that don’t shed much, so that, in theory, their dander doesn’t get all over the house. This lack of shedding could be due to curly hair or long hair that needs to be groomed often.

In addition to the type of hair, the size of the dog should also be considered. The bigger the dog, the more dander that will find its way around your home.

Reducing the Allergens

Once you find your new furry family member, take steps to eliminate as many pesky allergens as possible. Here’s how to manage them: • Doggie bath time, even with just water, can reduce the pet dander significantly. And if you can’t get around to bathtime, brushing your dog’s fur can also help reduce dander and shedding.

• Conversely, washing your hands with soap and water after handling a dog can also reduce your exposure to dander.

• Dander often gets caught in cushions, carpets and pet beds.

Keep these areas easy to clean by creating “pet-free” zones such as the bedroom or couch.

Vacuum carpets often, and wash dog beds and blankets.

• Investing in a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can help remove pet allergens from the air.

• Finally, allergy shots can also be an option to mitigate pet allergies. Although they can be expensive, they might just be worth it for some pet-loving families. afm

American Hairless Terrier Temperament: inquisitive, energetic, playful Weight: 12-16 lbs Fur: none Bichon Frise Temperament: playful, affectionate, barks a lot Weight: 12-18 lbs Fur: white, plush, puffy Lagotto Romagnolo Temperament: active, loving toward children, devoted Weight: 24-35 lbs Fur: wooly, curly Maltese Temperament: lively, funny, affectionate Weight: under 7 lbs Fur: long, silky Miniature Schnauzer Temperament: extremely intelligent, strong-willed, loyal Weight: 11-20 lbs Fur: dense, wiry Poodle (Miniature) Temperament: confident, loving, loyal Weight: 10-15 lbs Fur: crisp, curly Poodle (Standard) Temperament: active, proud, smart Weight: 40-70 lbs Fur: curly, wavy Poodle (Toy) Temperament: confident, agile, intelligent Weight: 4-6 lbs Fur: curly Standard Schnauzer Temperament: sociable, alert, athletic, easily trained Weight: 30-50 lbs Fur: wiry Yorkshire Terrier Temperament: energetic, feisty, domineering Weight: 7 lbs Fur: long, silky

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

WELLNESS AUTHOR

Mike de Lota, M.D.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND n The cardiovascular, hormonal and psychological reasons why dogs (and all pets) are man’s best friend.

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nimals have long been intertwined with human partners throughout history.

Prehistoric cave paintings depict humans hunting side by side with canines; Egyptian hieroglyphs document that civilization’s domestication and worship of cats; and bird keeping was a popular European practice during the age of exploration well into the early 20th century.

Throughout the vast sea of time and across numerous cultures, humans have turned to animal companionship for both survival and enjoyment. As Sylvia Plath once said, “How we need that security. How we need another soul

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to cling to, another body to keep us warm. To rest and trust; to give your soul in confidence.” Although referring to human relationships, her wisdom is applicable to the connections we share with our pets. Not only do pets satisfy our basic need for companionship, but recent studies have shown that pet ownership can have many physical and mental health benefits as well.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Pet ownership may have a positive impact on one’s cardiovascular health. While ongoing research studying the link between these two has yielded mixed findings, several studies have shown a positive correlation.

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Perhaps the most obvious correlation is that pet ownership (specifically dog ownership) was linked with increased activity levels. One study found that dog owners were more likely to walk either with or without their dogs versus dog non-owners. Once they were told about the health benefits of walking their dogs, dog owners tended to increase their step count during walks.

The American Heart Association also investigated this correlation and reported that, among people with cardiovascular disease, pet ownership may provide cardioprotective benefits. Two studies showed that after a heart attack, dog owners had a mortality

rate roughly four times lower than dog non-owners. It was believed that dog ownership not only led to increased physical activity levels amongst dog walkers, but it also helped to improve depression after a heart attack. This helps increase compliance with medications, follow-ups, diet and exercise. More recent studies have lent support to this relationship and found that lack of pet ownership was a significant predictor of mortality.

Hormonal Effects

Another study compared the heart rate and blood pressure of pet owners and pet non-owners and found that pet owners had overall lower heart rates and blood

pressure at rest, significantly smaller increases (reactivity) in these levels when stressed and were able to recover faster from stress. Among pet owners, the quickest recovery and lowest reactivity occurred when their pets were present, suggesting that pets had a direct calming effect on their owners. A 2011 study investigated the mechanisms behind this calming effect and found that positive associations with pets led to a reduction in stress hormones such as cortisol (a hormone linked to type 2 diabetes, blood vessel damage, weight gain and high cholesterol) and salivary alpha-amylase (a hormone elevated in response to physiological and

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psychological stress).

Another hormone which could play a key role is oxytocin, which promotes emotional attachment, positive physical contact and social cognitive processes. It is released during childbirth, breastfeeding, orgasm and with physical touch.

Higher levels of oxytocin were observed in people when petting animals, especially with dogs whom they have a bond with (ie “bonded”), and lead to lower heart rate, improvement of depression and anxiety and perception of pain.

Another study found that after a stressful day at work, oxytocin levels were increased among women interacting with their dogs but not among men.

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Psychological Benefits

Pets have long been touted for their ability to provide their owners with emotional support. These effects have been underscored in specific populations including military veterans suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and persons with HIV/AIDS suffering from depression. By providing companionship, dogs improved PTSD symptoms in military veterans by reducing feelings of loneliness, depression, worry and irritability. Among persons with AIDS, pet owners had fewer symptoms of depression than pet non-owners.

It was thought that pets reduced feelings of isolation, provided companionship and provided a welcome distraction to symptoms

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of depression and anxiety. Some studies have gone as far as to say that pets intuitively try to alleviate their owners’ symptoms in times of crisis, suggesting that pets can “sense” when their owners are suffering.

Another way in which pets provide emotional support is through facilitating communication. Pets provide an outlet of communication for their owners that is very different from one that can be provided by one’s friends or family. Pets are great listeners and allow owners to confide in them in a way they are not able to confide in other people. Since they are perceived to be non-judgemental and provide love and affection unconditionally, this helps foster a level of trust and support that might not be

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attainable with others. Pets provide relationships free of conflict, preconditions and “drama.” They have also shown to increase one’s social interaction with friends and family as well as peripheral social interactions with others. One study found that pets helped promote interactions with others that would otherwise not be possible, such as when dog walkers meet and interact with each other. In these informal settings, conversation is typically casual and focused around a mutual interest which helps to facilitate a “builtin” connection. This is especially helpful in people vulnerable to isolation such as those suffering from mental illness, cognitive impairment, chronic medical conditions or the elderly.

Finally, pets can positively

FIND YOUR NEW NORMAL.

impact mental health by promoting a sense of self-worth for their owners. In giving their owners responsibility, pets promote a feeling of duty and provide their owners a sense of control. This gives pet owners a reason to live.

In anxious and depressed patients, self empowerment, a sense of control, an obligation to duty and a sense of purpose are imperative in EXPERIENCE TASTES GOOD the road towards healing.

512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM However, it’s not all roses and rainbows, as any pet owner will tell you. Pet ownership comes with its own unique challenges including monthly pet expenses, coordinating care, veterinary visits and the pain of losing your pet. For many, these costs pale EXPERIENCE TASTES GOOD in comparison to the physical, 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM mental and emotional benefits that only animal companions can provide. Through their tangible EXPERIENCE TASTES GOOD and intangible contributions to our health and psyche, humans will 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM continue to rely on pets “to rest and trust” and “to give [our souls] in confidence.” afm 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM

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Dr. de Lota is a family medicine physician working at Austin Join us on Lady Bird Lake. Learn to Regional Row classes for Adults and Youth.

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WELLNESS AUTHOR

Cindy Present

PHOTOGRAPHY

Courtesy of Cindy Present

TILL DEATH DO US PART n Austinite and daily paddler, Cindy Present, shares the 14 pups that have played a part in her wellness journey and left a (paw)print on her life.

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E

ver since birth, I’ve had a dog in my life. To date, there have been 14 — each a bookmark for different chapters in this journey: Chica (1-3. Growing up we had three collies all named Chica), Tippy, Sassy, Niko, Boo, Gus, Beamer, Ginger, Yoda, Delilah, Poluna Kai and Star. Some are for more chapters than others but, nonetheless, I can connect each one to distinct phases, activities and many memories.

And as I look back through the list, they have each played a part in my wellness journey — some because they were the partner for what I needed: a good running companion, a paddle partner, a boat buddy, a post-activity nap mate.

These were my more vivacious, energetic and active pets.

But the other dogs, I believe, showed up in our lives because they were just the opposite — not as mentally or physically healthy.

Most of them were rescues, several of which had their own health concerns. I think our paths crossed because of the wellness and energy we could offer them, and our purpose became to contribute to theirs.

Gus, The Rescue Bulldog #1

The call came in late one hot summer afternoon. “I know Steve loves bulldogs! I have one for him!” What? Confusion was my first response, then came the questions of how, who and why.

Gus was found at the front doors of Wheatsville Co-op, begging as patrons passed by. A friend witnessed him there for several days, put out signs and then eventually called us. Gus was young, strong and, aside from thin,

quite healthy. But Gus lived in total fear of the outdoors, and we lived totally for the outdoors. We had no fence, an open yard and spent more time in the lake than on the land.

The only water Gus wasn’t afraid of was what was in his bowl. He was so young, yet so terrified of the one thing that could give him so much peace: nature.

We would sit in our yard with Gus, one hand on his back, “nature bathing.” Letting him look, listen and feel the environment around him, soothing him when a bug landed nearby, when the leaves would rustle, when a shadow would cross the lawn. Day in and out, we simply sat with him in the present moment, experiencing nature until, one day, he scratched to go out and settle into his own space under the tree by himself — no emotional support necessary.

best buddy any dog could be to our oldest. She ran a gazillion miles with us, tied to his baby jogger, up and down the hills, trails and back and forth across the Mansfield Dam at twilight, when he couldn’t sleep and I had no place to go but run. Her pace slowed down sooner than I expected, and the days where she literally pulled the jogger slowed to a pace where we were basically tugging her along, and then she retired from running.

Later in her life, she began having seizures, which we were told was most likely brain cancer, and her months were now numbered.

But, as a fitness trainer, I knew something was amiss; when she would fall from seizures, it was at heart rate level. So, we pushed through to a proper diagnosis and found the right medication that kept her with us another five years.

Ginger, The Rescue “Benji Look-Alike”

Delilah, The Rescue Bulldog #3

There’s nothing but fond memories for this sweet girl. She was our boys’ first dog, rescued when our oldest was a newborn.

Super active, super sweet and the

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Darla, as she was originally named when we rescued her, came to us with no mobility or movement. She was an overbred bulldog that had been surrendered

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to rescue. If she was eight, she seemed like she was 100. The rescue organization said she needed a “warm, loving family to spend the last years of her life with.” So we loaded up and drove three hours north to meet our new family member, beyond excited to welcome her to our active lifestyle.

But when we got to her, the foster family informed us that she has difficulty moving. Understatement.

When we saw her, the need for the last few years of her life appeared to be more like minutes. But as a family, we decided to walk that path with her. She literally wasn’t able to move. Perhaps, like many bulldogs, she’d been overbred, overfed and was simply tired of all that life

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had dished her. Our soft hearts got the best of us and back south we headed, not quite sure how we were going to manage a mammoth bulldog that couldn’t walk.

Her sweet eyes held stories, many of which you could tell were not great ones. It broke our hearts that this poor animal, physically worn out, but emotionally raw for acceptance, could not move on her own. When we got her home and carried her to our lawn, she watched for months as the world stayed in motion around her, yet her life stood still. We’d pass her walking to the lake, getting on the boat, playing in the yard. Her huge, brown, drooping eyes would follow us, but her body just wouldn’t

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respond — until the sixth month.

She took four steps following us to the boat, then a few days later, four more. Before we knew it, she was able to walk to the dock, which eventually led to getting into the boat, which led to her love of the lake and water. We knew the buoyancy of water would be awesome for her lack of mobility, and began working with her in the lake to find neutral buoyancy, floating with a life jacket. She loved that even more and soon developed new strength to make the walk from the house to the dock faster every day. Delilah, the dog formerly known as Darla, lived another two years loving the benefits of being a Blue-Minded bulldog by the water.

Poluna Kai and Star, Our Current Two Seniors

There were two rules from the rescue organization when we adopted our current bulldog at age two: don’t let her get near the water and do not change her name from Petunia Blossom. We broke both those rules: one, because we have raised and trained bulldogs around the water our entire lives and have seen firsthand how amazing the cold waters of Lake Austin can be for their longevity.

Two, because my husband, Steve, was adamant about not standing in our yard calling out, “Petunia Blossom.” Because I’d always heard dogs respond to syllables (probably fiction, but if the rescue foundation asked, at least I’d have a logical answer), I researched words and discovered that Poluna meant “chubby and plump” in Hawaiian.

Perfect. And “Kai,” water, because we knew she’d live long and well with a life on the water — and she has. She’s going into her 10th year, a bit blind and deaf, but super agile and mobile.

And then there’s Star, who is technically our youngest son’s pup.

He purchased her with money from

a Mastercraft Boat photo shoot. He was five. We tried to get him to buy Legos with his well-earned money, but for six months he was adamant on purchasing “Fluffy Little Fur Ball” as he wanted to name her. We gently suggested he would feel a bit silly calling her that when he was sixteen, and now that he’s eighteen, he agrees. Luckily, on the ride home from acquiring her, he gave in and named her after the lineup of Mastercraft’s boats: “Star.”

Star has probably traveled more miles in a boat and on a paddleboard than any other dog in Texas — and possibly the nation.

Star watches from the observation seat as we water ski endless miles on Lake Austin, wake surf till the sun goes down and paddleboard when the sun comes up. In 2020 alone, my Garmin shows Star and I paddled over 300 miles together.

But it’s not just about recreation for Star. When I bring others to the water through our foundation, Operation Get Out, to share the healing benefits of water, Star is there to lend her support. She will join them on their boards giving them confidence and distraction while applauding them with a wagging tail. Star understands that

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MOST OF THEM WERE RESCUES, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAD THEIR OWN HEALTH CONCERNS. I THINK OUR PATHS CROSSED BECAUSE OF THE WELLNESS AND ENERGY WE COULD OFFER THEM, AND OUR PURPOSE BECAME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIRS.”

water makes others feel better, to the point when I struggled getting back on the water after losing a dear friend, one morning I went out and Star was sitting on my board staring at me, telling me, “It’s time.”

Star has shared almost 13 years with us to date. I’m not sure who has taught who what, but I do know that there’s been an angel in my life for the past 13 years, dressed like a fuzzy little fur ball that has taught me how to be more playful, not to take myself too seriously, to keep moving “even if the grass is too cold,” to share with others what can make them feel better and to use what I know heals me. She’s definitely a Rock Star to me. afm

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WELLNESS SPONSOR

It’s Time Texas

TEXAS SWEATS FOR PETS TOP DOG: ROSEMARY HASHBROWNS n Meet the winner of the annual Texas Sweats for Pets Virtual Fitness-A-Thon and her owner, Sarah Reagor.

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he Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City will take place in June this year, but in the eyes of many Austinites, Rosemary “Rosie” Hashbrowns has already won the place of “Top Dog.”

“I fell in love with her the moment I met her,” says Reagor. “She was the most wiry, scruffy love muffin I had ever met. We’ve been inseparable ever since.”

Rosie’s metal hip hasn’t stopped her from being active with her mom. One of their favorite activities to do together is hitting the trails near their home. Rosie enjoys running up ahead to check things out, running back to Reagor to make sure she’s okay, then running up ahead again. Reagor says Rosie is small, but mighty.

“She’s faster than most of the big dogs and will jump halfway up my body when she hasn’t seen me in more than 10 minutes!”

Rosie has been a fantastic companion to Reagor throughout the pandemic — from adventuring on trails to playing chase in the house, Rosie’s other passions include stealing food off of plates when no one’s looking and munching on her sister’s large dog bone.

Reagor and Rosie decided to fundraise for Texas Sweats for Pets because it combines both of their passions. Rosie, being a rescue, wants to help fellow strays find their forever companions. Similarly, Reagor supports the shelter, but she’s also a “health nut” who studied and works in the nutrition field.

“The event allowed me to help Austin Pets Alive! find

How did she earn this prestigious award?

Rosie Hashbrowns and her owner, Sarah Reagor, started their own fundraising page in efforts to support the annual Texas Sweats for Pets Virtual Fitness-AThon which took place in January 2021. Hosted by It’s Time Texas, a nonprofit empowering Texans to lead healthier lives and build healthier communities, and Austin Pets Alive!, the proceeds from the threeday virtual fitness event went to support both causes.

Rosie and Reagor’s determination to raise money and awareness for both organizations awarded the pup the “Top Fundraising Dog” prize.

Reagor adopted Rosie the very first day she met the young pup. Rosie was a street dog that ended up being hit by a car. She had to have a hip replacement and stayed in a diaper for some time. When Reagor saw the pup’s picture posted on the Nextdoor app, she rushed out the door to meet her. Their fate was sealed.

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Sarah Reagor and Rosie

dogs like Rosie a home, while also letting me support the important work It’s Time Texas does through building healthier communities across the state. And I got a workout in!” says Reagor.

It’s Time Texas brings people, communities and organizations together to take action that supports health for all, now and for generations to come.

Through events like these, the organization aims to elevate health as a priority so that all Texans can thrive.

In partnership with Austin Pets Alive!, It’s Time Texas spearheaded the event and led three days of interactive, virtual workout classes for those registered, taught

by It’s Time Texas master instructors. They also included exclusive segments featuring adoptable cats and dogs from the shelter. Other ways to participate included making a donation to the cause or setting up a pet fundraiser page. By partnering with individuals, employers, schools and communities, It’s Time Texas makes health a personal and collective priority while advancing systemic change.

The Texas Sweats for Pets Fundraiser was quite the success, thanks to all of the participants and animals.

Rosie is proud to be “Top Dog” this year, and she hopes to raise even more money next year for the cause! The competition will be “ruff-ruff!”

For more information on the nonprofit It’s Time Texas, visit their website at https://itstimetexas.org/ or like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ itstimetx. afm

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AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

AMBASSADOR’S CORNER AUTHOR

Jason Bourgeois

AMBASSADOR’S Corner FIT & FEARLESS + WELLSPORT RECAP n March’s fitness and recovery

rundown with AFM Ambassador Jason Bourgeois.

to come and learn Krav Maga — a discipline designed to teach women and men of all ages and skill levels the most efficient and effective combat strategies offered in a fighting system.

This woman-owned and operated studio provides programs for Austinites to feel safer, stronger and more confident in the world — and they are getting people seriously fit!

I want to thank Owners/Instructors Amie Cantello, Ana Timmis and Amelia Eisenhart for inviting us to their 6:40 p.m. Krav Maga class. The instructors and class provided constant encouragement and support as we worked for 45 minutes through some fighting strategies that enable us to turn into the fight, eliminate the threat and go home safely. In my Krav Maga class experience, I quickly recognized the training and programming is every bit as much mental as it is physical — and I appreciate this mentality the community embraces.

What I liked: The instructor demonstrations! Holy moly, the instructors call it a demonstration, but it grabs your attention and, in an instant, you know the instructors are going as near to a real-world scenario as possible. You could feel the impact of each strike.

The demonstrations conveyed the intensity we were expected to bring — I know my adrenaline spiked

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ello AFM! We are back to showcase more within Austin’s mecca of fitness and recovery options by highlighting a couple of local businesses that are going above and beyond to safely bring to you services and keep you on track to crush your training and recovery goals.

This month’s edition of Ambassador’s corner is continuing efforts to support the Central Texas Food Bank and their mission to respond to the ongoing presence of food insecurity in Austin. We are grateful for your generous donations which are aiding the work of keeping Austin fed, and every cent counts as we work to increase food access to those who are in need.

THE WORKOUT: My 45-minute Fit & Fearless Experience

If you ever wanted to feel more confident in your ability to protect yourself against a real-world threat, or maybe seek a new skill that compliments your determination to fitness, we visited a gem of a gym for you and yours. Fit & Fearless is where all are welcomed

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The Rundown:

 Fit & Fearless is located just south of downtown Austin about one minute away from E. Ben White and Burleson Rd.  Fit and Fearless is a certified affiliate of Krav Maga Worldwide.  Class offerings: Krav Maga, Kickboxing, SSSHIIT (Short, Sweet, Sweaty HIIT), Private lessons, Virtual offerings and Open Mat Sparring.

• Group classes are scalable for all fitness levels.  Pricing • Available online, and you can choose from memberships, Punch Passes, or Open Gym to name a few.

• Your first class is free!

Fit and Fearless COVID-19 Considerations:  Fit & Fearless requires pre-registration to attend in-person classes.  In-person classes are limited to 4-6 members.  You can bring your own partner to class (remember to pre-register).

Jason’s Chosen Nonprofit: Central Texas Food Bank Click here to donate!

 Temperature check administered at the front door  Multiple tall, bay doors make for good ventilation all throughout.  The mats and equipment are mopped and sanitized prior to each class.  You stay with the same pads and/or heavy bag, and area throughout class.

each time Amie and Ana gave a live demonstration to introduce the self-defense maneuver we would later practice as a class. I appreciated seeing the demonstration from a few different angles. Next, the instructors slowed down the example; they literally did the same demonstration in slow motion while talking us through what we should feel as we positioned ourselves. Then, we performed dry work which is mimicking the instructor’s movements but on our own without a partner or equipment. Think of dry work as something like a mix of shadowboxing and visualization. Finally, the class would drill the maneuver, or practice with a partner (see COVID-19 considerations).

What I learned: Some of the drills were designed to train your fighting spirit or your “motor” and we would deliver as many max power strikes for a short interval — try it! In rounds of 20, throw as many max power/speed palm-heel strikes as you can into the air or a mattress and get a feel for the sensations (exhaustion) that you experience. Other drills were designed to train your composure and ability to execute the training in a fight or flight situation. We were asked to stand completely relaxed while our partner circled us and bumped us with a kick shield. We had to identify where the threat was coming from, deliver

 Masks were worn throughout class with the option to remove if needed.

the strikes until the threat was eliminated and escape.

Sounds intense, right?! Now, take that exact drill except, in addition to standing relaxed, we were asked to close our eyes. Temporarily, the music was cranked up even louder, and now, as your partner bumped you, they shouted “Hey!” My Spidey senses went off full tilt when I was bumped while my eyes were shut, and it was unbelievable how real the situation felt. My heart raced, adrenaline pumped and my fight or flight response still initiated in a training environment. It was awesomely exhausting.

Favorite Combatives and Drill: Hammer fists were my favorite combative. However, delivering hammer fists from the floor with my partner mounted on top of me, and having to inch my way to the opposite side of the room was an insanely challenging full-body drill. My favorite drill was toward the end when we were asked to put everything we learned together, but we had to start with our eyes shut — never back down or give up, always keep fighting with all you have, adapt and adjust, and keep moving forward!

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n A M BAS SA DO R’ S C O R NE R THE RECOVERY: WellSport

Next, I scheduled treatment and recovery with WellSport Austin, and I vouch for this practice and their commitment to applying science to keep you moving. These doctors are wholeheartedly focused on marrying your treatment needs with your wants by applying a systematic approach to help patients eliminate or reduce pain and get them back to optimum performance. So, who is this for?

If you have an injury or pain that prevents you from enjoying the physical activities that bring you joy, if you are interested in injury prevention, or if you are interested in optimizing your physical performance from youth to elite skill level athletes then listen up — get over to Wellsport for a visit sooner rather than later!

Shout out to all members of the WellSport team for your services to our community and the measures you are implementing to prioritize our safety and well-being during a pandemic, and to Jordan Pellien, D.C., Kyler Brown, D.C., Ashley Fox, D.C., and Declan Geraghty, DPT, for explaining the process in meaningful chunks and increasing my understanding of how the science works.

To start my session, Pellien asked for my input on where I was experiencing soreness, pain and about any injuries sustained if any. Then, they tailored a treatment plan specific to my circumstances: which I shared my primary goal was resetting my body after an intense training session, specifically addressing the tightness throughout my lats and a noticeable lack of overhead mobility within my shoulders.

Challenge accepted — they didn’t say that but that was the vibe in the room and I was fan of it!

BFR THERAPY

much or how little force you exert during your exercise.

The benefit of using responsive cuffs is a reduction in the risk of over exertion. To further illustrate the effect of using lightweights to achieve all of the positive strength and hormone changes induced by heavy lifting, when I was asked how much I thought the steel mace weighed, I was confident in my reply: “20 to 25lbs,” — false! Pellien was kind enough to inform me that I was hulking out with a whopping 8-pound steel mace. During the exercise while wearing the cuffs, the fire I felt within my arms was a sensation you might experience during a max repetition bodyweight pushup — with slightly more than 8 pounds. Oh, but when the cuffs were taken off it was sweet relief and it felt like my arms were floating. Talk about an upgrade for future leg days!

Blow Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy

During BFR, a cuff is placed over the working extremities while performing exercises or rehabilitation. My plan called for the cuffs being wrapped around each of my biceps while I performed repeated arm raises with a steel mace for a 90 second interval followed by 30 seconds of rest, then followed by two additional 30 second intervals performing the same exercise.

BFR allows the patient to achieve greater strength gains while lifting a lighter load. The benefit to a patient is achieving gains while experiencing less stress on the body. Oh, but there’s more. The technology WellSport utilizes not only restricts your blood flow, but the pressure exerted by the cuffs can be set to remain at a constant tension regardless of how

MARCH 2021

Dry Needle Therapy

Dry needling uses filament needles similar to those used within the form of Chinese medicine known as acupuncture. Dry needling is specifically for treating the body’s symptoms of pain through targeting trigger points, muscle fibers and applying knowledge based on the musculoskeletal system. Whereas, acupuncture is about changing the balance and flow of energy

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throughout the body, and may be applied to treat conditions such as anxiety and high blood pressure, to name a few.

Going into dry needling, you can expect it to feel uncomfortable than it is painful, but everyone responds DRY NEEDLE THERAPY differently. The science: induce an inflammatory response which brings oxygen-rich and nutrient-rich blood cells to the targeted muscle to stimulate and enhance the recovery process. Every now and then, I experienced an involuntary muscle twitch as the needles were placed in their specific areas (I thought it was so cool). It’s not uncommon to experience minor soreness and/or bruising in the day following dry needling. I experienced minor soreness one day after, but two days after I was feeling refreshed and game day ready.

MASSAGE FLUSH

Massage Flush

I rounded my recovery experience with a massage flush (thanks Lauren Howell!). I appreciated learning about the flush as she explained her process of applying a deeper, slower pressure to compliment the dry needling and blood flow restriction therapy. She checked-in with me about how the pressure felt and I truly thought it was insightful how she applied the notes from her teammates who treated me prior to her observation of my body’s response. Following the fifteen-minute massage flush Howell tested my range of motion and viola! Just like that I was able raise my arms above my head without a hitch, ache or limited range of motion. At WellSport, you have a whole team working in your corner. afm

WellSport COVID-19 Considerations:  Temperature check administered at the front desk.  WellSport offers appointment booking.  Each room receives a 30-minute sanitation and cleaning prior to the next use.  Air purifiers are operating in each room.  Masks are worn throughout the duration of your treatment.

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FITNESS AUTHOR

Emily Metzger

BEST HIKES & PARKS IN ATX FOR YOU AND YOUR PUP n If you’re an Austinite with a pup, it’s basically mandatory to visit one of these scenic, local spots on the weekend.

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A

Emma Long Metropolitan Park

This unique trail located in northwest Austin showcases the breathtaking views of Lake Austin while providing a pet-friendly hiking path. All dogs must be leashed, and there is a fee of $5 per vehicle Monday through Thursday and $10 per vehicle Friday through Sunday. Since parking is limited, it often fills up quickly, especially on weekends, so get there early.

AFM tip: wear durable tennis shoes that can get wet since there are various water crossings.

WALNUT CREEK ME TROPOLITAN PARK

PHOTO BY JESSICA OSWALD

s we officially welcome the spring season, even though Texas winters essentially blur the traditional season divides, it’s time to soak up some springtime sunshine. Austinites may still be hitting the gym to live out their New Year’s resolutions, but one of the best ways to get some activity in is by ditching the gym and opting for a walk or jog with your dog outside instead. So, grab your happy little tailwagger, his/her favorite toys to play catch, the leash and doggy bag, and visit one of these local trails or parks to get your daily dose of nature and activity.

Auditorium Shores Dog Park

This dog park in the heart of downtown is an ample space for well-trained dogs to roam. The off-leash park is free and neither fenced nor enclosed. You can walk the trail around Town Lake and stop here to enjoy the urban views by the water. Beware of the traffic near Riverside Drive, especially since dogs are able to explore and play as they please.

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park

If you’re desiring an off-leash dog area along with an outstanding trail for hiking, Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park checks all the boxes. The trail has no admission fee and boasts a 15-mile pathway with various recreational activities to explore. Located north of downtown, it will leave you and your fur-baby, eager to come back and inspect a different sector on this vast trail.

Norwood Estate Dog Park

Continuing on down the Town Lake Trail, you’ll find Norwood Estate, an off-leash, enclosed dog park.

This free park uniquely offers a “small” and a “big” dog section for owners worried about interactions from the range of dogs that come here. It is close to downtown and offers a complimentary water station in case Fido gets thirsty!

Cedar Bark Park

As one of the most well-kept dog parks, Cedar Bark is a park solely for our furry friends. It is an enclosed park with three separate areas and fun features such as a spacious pond to swim in. With no admission fee and a leash-freefriendly environment, Cedar Bark is worth the drive and will leave your pup itching to come back.

CEDAR BARK PARK

Shoal Creek Greenbelt

Located near UT’s West Campus, Shoal Creek is a unique trail

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n FITNESS

PHOTO BY JESSICA OSWALD

ONION CREEK GREENBELT

offering both city and scenic views. Dogs should be leashed unless in the off-leash area between 24th and 29th streets. It also includes multiple natural waterways for your pup to play and splash around in.

This is a superb, less popular and smaller trail perfect for any outdoor adventure.

best for scenic picnics. If you and your dog love to chillax and undwine, Zilker never disappoints!

These dog-friendly trails and parks are definitely some of the standouts in Austin. Hopefully there is one that complies with all your pet’s needs that you both can explore together. Each location stands out with its own eclectic dog personalities and a mix of locals and visitors. So, as we encroach upon the classic Texas heat, we want all our readers to find trails that can create quality time with yourself, your pet and others. afm

Onion Creek Greenbelt

Near southeast Austin, this greenbelt area offers many trails and an off-leash dog area. There are many places for your dog to openly run around and get in the water. Owners can even join in the fun and enjoy a refreshing, natural cooldown — just don’t forget to bring ZILKER PARK a towel. Although it does not offer city views like other trails, Onion Creek transports you into the more natural outdoor landscape that Austin has to offer.

Zilker Park

Austin’s most beloved park is one of the best off-leash and non-enclosed dog parks within the city. Zilker is a local gem and extremely popular, especially once the weather is above 60 degrees. If your pup loves to play catch, Zilker is a great, spacious area to do so. The park is also one of the

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FITNESS SPONSOR

REGYMEN Fitness

WORKOUT OF THE MONTH REGYMEN FITNESS n Disrupt your routine and enhance your fitness at REGYMEN this spring.

R

eady to disrupt your routine?

REGYMEN Fitness brings an innovative take on HIIT group training through daily challenges, equipment galore and a healthy balance of intense work and recovery all led by their elite coaches. With three unique workout platforms offered every day — Burn, Box and Build — you can customize your fitness regimen to help you reach your specific goals with any mix of low-impact cardio, strength training, boxing and more. For those of you looking to torch calories while building strength, follow along with this workout to get a glimpse of what you might expect in one of REGYMEN’s Build workouts. We know you got this!

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BLOCK ONE

Game plan: Complete three rounds for time AIR BIKE (20 Calories) Also called the “Death Bike,” this is a great no impact, full-body option for cardiovascular HIIT conditioning.

• Adjust bike seat to maintain a slight knee bend at the down stroke position.

• Use arms and legs equally to maintain max power.

• Elite goal = 30 seconds; Novice goal = 1 minute KETTLEBELL SINGLE-ARM SQUAT CLEAN (x 10 Reps Total) Take one kettlebell from the floor to the “racked” position while catching in a squat position.

• Stand and snap hips to drive KB and provide speed.

• Keep the KB close to the body and send up in a straight line.

• Take arm around the KB and clench it into your side to a racked position while dropping into squat.

TRX MUSCLE UP (x 8 Reps) TRX is a great tool to help develop full-body strength, stability and fitness.

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, elbows locked at your side with hands near thighs.

• Sit on floor, keeping arms fully extended.

• While driving through heels, begin quickly pulling the TRX strap to lift from floor.

• At the endpoint of the pulling action, transfer quickly to push into full standing position.

• The finish position should be the same as your start position with arms locked at sides.

BARBELL PUSH PRESS (x 6 Reps) A great way to produce upper-body power and strength while using legs/ hips to provide speed.

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart in a front racked position, while gripping the barbell just outside of shoulders.

• Take a shallow and quick dip of hips.

• Drive through heels and extend hips while quickly pressing barbell overhead.

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n FITNESS

BLOCK TWO: CORE STABILITY AND STRENGTH Game plan: Complete three sets

LANDMINE STANDING TORSO ROTATION (x 12 Reps Total) A great variation that helps develop strength and stability while utilizing a fixed movement.

• Keep feet in an athletic stance or about shoulder-width apart.

• Slowly rotate the top of the barbell toward your thigh by turning shoulders.

• Avoid dipping shoulders or allowing hips to rotate.

KETTLEBELL PLANK PULL-THROUGH (x 12 Reps Total) A great exercise to promote core strength and stability.

• Start in a plank position: ankles, knees, hips and shoulders all in a straight line.

• While keeping your spine and head aligned, use your right hand to reach behind your left palm to grab KB — pull and set it down on your right side behind palms. Repeat on the opposite side.

• Focus on actively contracting core muscles and maintaining hips square to the floor throughout the movement.

DUMBBELL BEAR ROW (x 12 Reps Total) An advanced version of a plank row or “Renegade Row.” The “Bear” position takes your hips out of the equation and requires better shoulder and core stability.

• Start in a bear crawl position — hands under shoulders, knees under hips and slightly off the floor.

• While maintaining a neutral spine, slowly lift DB from the floor and drive elbow past your torso.

• Replace DB back to starting position, and repeat on opposite arm.

• Focus on maintaining bear position. Don’t go too heavy.

In addition to providing killer workouts for all fitness levels, the REGYMEN team takes pride in the processes they’ve put in place to ensure COVID-19 safety. Temperature checks at the door, masks required upon entry and exit, workout stations spaced 8+ feet apart and regular cleaning with CDC-approved products throughout the workout are just a few of the new protocols you’ll see when you visit a REGYMEN Fitness location. Have more questions? Don’t hesitate to give them a call to learn more about the safety protocols and schedule a FREE WORKOUT to see for yourself. afm

MARCH 2021

Keep an eye out for their newest studios coming to Round Rock and The Grove (Central Austin) Spring 2021! Snag the lowest founder rates for a limited time before the new studios open. Call or text for details: Arbor Walk (512) 969-8121 Round Rock (512) 234-1941 The Grove (512) 998-2216

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ARE YOU AN EXPERT IN MEDICINE, NUTRITION, FITNESS OR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS? ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE WITH OTHERS? DO YOU LOVE TO WRITE?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! AFM is in search of regular expert contributors for our monthly issue.

If interested, please contact editorial@austinfitmagazine.com to further collaborate.

CALENDAR MARCH 2021

Submit your event online at austinfitmagazine.com

Events PHOTO COURTESY OF MIGHTY TEXAS DOG WALK

*Dates and Times are subject to changes or cancellation. Check event websites for more information.

MIGHTY TEXAS DOG WALK Austin, TX MARC H 27

MARCH 4

MA R C H 6

M A R CH 8

Art & Music Nights at The Cathedral

Wicked Wine Run

Aural Fixation Trivia

Every Thursday starting at 7 p.m., The Cathedral is hosting an Art & Music Night. The event consists of a local musical performance and ensures private seating with 50% capacity in order to remain COVID-19 safe. You must be 21+ and be sure to reserve your table prior through Eventbrite.

MARCH 5

Anniversary Gala at the Paramount Theatre

If you are still feeling the post-Mardi Gras blues, don’t fret! The Paramount is hosting an out-of-this-world gala including an auction, a performance by Trombone Shorty and New-Orleansstyle eats and drinks. Head to their website to explore ticket and table options.

MARCH 2021

This 5k is unlike the others due to the fact that it begins in the evening and alcohol is involved. Yes, you read that sentence correctly. The Wicked Wine Run explores the beautiful Spicewood Vineyard, and once you pass the finish line, the party continues with tasting delectable wines and watching live performances.

Every Monday at 8 p.m., Aural Fixation hosts a live music trivia show via YouTube. The show typically includes famous, local entertainment stars such as past guest and actor, Jonah Ray. So, grab your family and friends for some exciting musical trivia with local Austin stars!

M A R CH 9

MA R C H 7

Free Family Sundays at Mexic-Arte Museum

The Mexic-Arte Museum is now hosting free family Sundays. This offer includes the opportunity for free tours from 2-3 p.m. with the option to request the tour to be in Spanish. Head over to their website to learn more and book your next museum visit.

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LOGOS presents Christopher Kempf + Srikanth Reddy LOGOS Collective is hosting a reading event featuring Christopher Kempf, author of “What Though the Field Be Lost,” and Srikanth Reddy, author of “Voyager.” The event is held over Zoom, and be sure to RSVP through Eventbrite to those who want to actively participate. This is perfect for avid readers who love poetry and history.

MAR CH 11

MA R C H 2 0

Free Admission Thursdays to Blanton

Founders Day Parade

The Blanton Museum of Art is hosting free admission Thursdays, which are first come, first serve. Be sure to order your tickets online prior to Thursday.

You’ll want to visit soon though, because the museum is going to begin construction for a new patio and art additions.

MAR CH 12

Spread Goodness Day

This event near Mueller Lake Park is inspired to spread goodness however you may choose. The idea was inspired by planning a day where individuals celebrate by doing one good deed in order to encourage and invoke others to follow suit. Don’t forget to spread the word by using the tag #spreadgoodnessday.

MAR CH 13-27

Rodeo Austin

Everything is bigger and better in Texas, including our rodeos! Rodeo Austin is set to open March 13th through the 27th and will be nothing less than pure fun. So, dust off your cowboy hat and head down to Travis County Exposition Center to experience bull riding, carnival rides and fried food.

MAR CH 16 -20

SXSW Online 2021

SXSW may look a little different this year, but at least it’s not canceled!

Experience the highly renowned Austin festival that features ground-breaking film, music and keynotes. The digital event has limited attendance, so register now and follow their social media for continuous updates.

Although the Founders Day Parade is held a bit far away in New Braunfels, it will definitely be worth the drive. Enjoy celebrating the city and its rich culture “New Braunfelsers” style. Head to their website to find the viewing area, and come down to see all the great floats and groups that participate.

MA R C H 2 1

The Austin Flea

Starting at 10 a.m. at Radio Coffee & Beer, The Austin Flea is hosting their monthly market. It includes local vendors that sell vintage artwork, jewelry, home decor and so much more. Instead of making another Amazon purchase, shop handmade products and get to know your local small businesses.

AUSTIN’S ELITE HIIT TRAINING

MA R C H 2 7

Mighty Texas Dog Walk

The long awaited and rescheduled Mighty Texas Dog Walk is finally here!

Enjoy your Saturday morning with your pup with the walk starting early at 10 a.m. The event also includes a raffle as well as free samples of dog food and treats.

PROGRAMMED FOR RESULTS

MA R C H 2 8

Jane Monheit

One of the most talented female artists in the jazz world is coming to Austin!

Jane Monheit is performing live at One World Theatre, and you do not want to miss her spectacular vocal talent.

This is a great way to listen and relax to beautiful music on your Sunday evening.

ONE WORKOUT AND YOU’LL BE HOOKED. WE GUARANTEE IT!

MAR CH 19

Golden Dawn Arkestra + Far East Equinox

NEW LOCATIONS COMING TO

If you happen to be on the eastside and are craving eclectic music, The Sahara Lounge is hosting a live performance from Golden Dawn Arkestra + Far East Equinox. The rugged and soulful venue has a unique vibe that will make you feel at home while relaxing to the psychedelic sounds.

THE GROVE (Central ATX) + ROUND ROCK SPRING/SUMMER 2021

BOOK A FREE WORKOUT TODAY!

[512] 969-8121 85

www.REGYMENFITNESS.com/AUSTIN AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

CALENDAR M A R C H 2021

Submit your event online at austinfitmagazine.com

Rides & Races *Dates and Times are subject to changes or cancellation. Check event websites for more information.

MARCH 7

Goodwill Run

Corpus Christi, TX MARCH 7

Run the Alamo

San Antonio, TX MARCH 12-14

J&J Race & Trail Rocksprings, TX

THE COLOR RUN DALLAS

MARCH 13

Dallas, TX M A R C H 20

Dash Down Greenville 5K Dallas, TX

MARCH 13

PurpleStride Austin Austin, TX

MARCH MARCH 6

The Woodlands Marathon The Woodlands, TX MARCH 6

Wicked Wine Run Austin

MARCH 13

MARCH 6

Providence Catholic School 5K San Antonio, TX

School Fuel Fill the Sack 5K & Kids Fun Run

MARCH 6

Big Easy Crawfish Boil One Mile, 5K & 10K

MARCH 2021

Luck of the Irish 5K The Colony, TX

San Marcos, TX MARCH 6

Selma, TX

Katy, TX

MARCH 14

MARCH 6

Spicewood, TX

LIFE is Good 5K & 10K

Lucky Charm 5K

Little Elm, TX

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Due to COVID-19, some of these rides and races have limited space.

MARCH 17-25

Miles for Migraine Dallas, TX

MARCH 19-21

Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon Seabrook, TX

MARCH 20-21

Spartan Race San Antonio Boerne, TX

NEW YEAR SPECIALS 7 Months for $399 OR

MARCH 20

San Felipe Shootout Sealy, TX

MARCH 20

The Color Run Dallas Dallas, TX

MARCH 20

Deafinitely Not Different 5K Race and Fun Run Plano, TX

13 Months for $599 • • • • •

Intro-to-Rowing Program (6 classes) Unlimited Rowing, Kayaking, Canoeing Unlimited Stand Up Paddling Gift Certificates Available Experienced Coxswains row FREE!

NORTH SHORE OF TOWN LAKE ON HIKE & BIKE TRAIL BEHIND AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL

512.467.7799

www.texasrowingcenter.com info@texasrowingcenter.com

Wanderlust Run MARCH 21

Medicine in Motion CARE FOR YOUR ACTIVE BODY

Pearland Half Marathon Pearland, TX

MARCH 24 - APRIL 1

Miles for Migraine

– Deeply Heats Human Tissue – Improves Immune System – Releases Built Up Toxins – Boosts Nitric Oxide [Dilates Blood Vessels]

MARCH 20

Fredericksburg, TX

BENEFITS OF INFRARED SAUNAS

– Provides Relaxation + Recovery – Improves Sleep + Overall Health

FAMILY MEDICINE

Houston, TX

MARCH 27-28

– Burns Calories + Promotes Faster Cell Regeneration [Anti-Aging]

The Southwest 100 Fort Davis, TX MARCH 28

INFRARED SAUNA DETOXIFICATION A

The Tangle 30K / 10K

WELLNESS MODALITY TRENDING FOR

Johnson City, TX

MARCH 29 - APRIL 4

Dash to the VTO San Antonio, TX

ITS MAGNITUDE OF BENEFITS BACKED

BY SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

DR. PYRON IS BACK! Call for an appointment:

512-257-2500

www.medinmotion.com

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512 -494-4 8 00 AU S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E

INTRODUCING

The Fit Wire AFM’s daily coverage of health and fitness in the Austin community

#keepaustinfit

KEEP AUSTIN FIT