Austin Fit Magazine September 2022: The Furry Friends Issue by Austin Fit Magazine

Happy Hens, Healthy Eggs A Year as a Raw Vegan Healthcare Heroes: Pet Therapy 2022SEP THE FURRY FRIENDS ISSUE HOOKHORSES’EM

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Are you in the Austin area? Do you know of a great business or leader in the nutrition, fitness and wellness space? This year’s submissions for the Best Of 2022 Issue are opening this month, so keep an eye out on our AFM website for more information! The Best Of Issue will be released in December and will feature top places to go and people to invest in for all of your endeavors to Keep Austin Fit. Austinites are welcome to submit their top picks for the best yoga studio, farmers’ market, chiropractor, disc golf courses and more, and we will feature the winners. Happy voting!

TIME TO VOTE!

2022

HORSES, CATS AND COWS – OH, MY!

hen I sat down to start planning this issue, I had to be careful to not accidentally curate content for another dog-centered issue, as we leave that time for March (and while there are admittedly a few dog-related pieces in here, I tried to stay away from going full Fittest Dogs). I had to remind myself that as much as we love those furry friends, there are plenty of others that deserve the spotlight — and frankly, don’t get it enough.

being honest, I have a strange array of favorite animals and none include conventional pets. Now, I absolutely love dogs (my now-fiance and I recently went to a dog park just to watch them run around), but I don’t know if I’d consider them my favorite animal. I appreciate how dogs provide companionship, but there are plenty of other animals out there that not only provide that but are beautiful creatures in and of themselves, apart from how we connect or relate to them.

In this issue, you’ll grow a greater appreciation for them as well as learn about some local organizations that aim to rescue and care for these animals. You’ll even hear about how you can indirectly support our furry friends through a vegan lifestyle or by using products that weren’t made through the mistreatment of animals.

We hope you walk away from this issue cherishing the general connection between humans and animals, even if they’re not the conventional house pet. Enjoy!

From the Director

But why don’t we give these other animals appreciation? Why don’t we see them equally as valuable? These “other” animals are unique and special in their own way, which is what we’ll get to dive into for this Furry Friends Issue. Horses, alpacas, chinchillas, lemurs, ferrets — all those overlooked animals that we often forget about.

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Keep Austin Fit, Landry Allred DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

I remember even making a list on my phone so I wouldn’t forget what my favorite animals were when people asked me. That list includes bats, foxes and capybaras (capybaras are actually legal to own in Texas!). But even if people asked me in a formal setting, I felt the need to just go for the conventional “dog” answer to fit in with the crowd.

Dogs often get the biggest representation when it comes to animal-human relationships, but what about

the rest of them? Most of us can agree that anytime we see any form of wildlife — even if they’re not our domesticated pets — something in us changes. We sense a connection. We crave to interact. How many Disney movies have been produced about animals other than dogs?IfI’m

AUSTIN FIT MAGAZINE5 CREATIVITY Exposure PHOTOGRAPHER DARREN CARROLL WEB: www.darrencarroll.com/index IG: @dcarrollphoto MODEL: Jessica Caroll IG: @jfo_photo Want to possibly be featured in AFM? Email your work to @austinfitmagazine.com!afmteam

SEPTEMBER 2022 6 THE GOOD STUFFSeptember 2022 32 HOOK ’EM HORSES HEALTHCARE HEROES: PET THERAPY 42 18 HOME AND HEALING AT AUSTIN FARM SANCTUARY

FITNESS

LIFESTYLE

WELLNESS

Finding Feral Sanctuary at Street Cat Rescue 26 Get Wild in Texas! 28

Your Paw Personality 50 Walking With Horses 52 The Purr-fect Pal 54

The Fittest Animals 56 The Gym Mascot 58 KMB: Wade’s Waves 62 HEALTHYHAPPY12HENS,EGGS 22 STOP HORSIN’ AROUND, FIND A STABLE! SUPERPOWERSASAFE48INAUSTIN:SANCTUARYOF

NUTRITION

Recipe of the Month: Savory Zucchini Breakfast Waffles 10 A Year as a Raw Vegan 14 Feeding Texas: Alternative Pets 16

SEPTEMBER 2022 8 TOP 6 OUTDOOR ROCK CLIMBING NEAR AUSTIN 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 AUSTINFITMAGAZINE .COM WELLNESS 3 Tips for Detoxing Your Feet LIFESTYLE Exotic Furry Friends You Can Own in Texas FITNESS Ways to Help Your Alternative Pet Exercise

PHOTOGRAPHER | BRIAN FITZSIMMONS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CEO | LOU EARLE PUBLISHER | LYNNE EARLE CTO | DREW TERRY DIRECTOR OF CONTENT | LANDRY ALLRED

Caitlyn Meisner, Julia Salas, Mallory McKeever, Rebekah Smith, Sam Hacker

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.

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GENERAL Austinaustinfitmagazine.com/article-submissionlynne@austinfitmagazine.cominfo@austinfitmagazine.comINQUIRIESADVERTISINGINQUIRIES512.608.8554EDITORIALSUBMISSIONSfitfocus@austinfitmagazine.comEVENTLISTINGSaustinfitmagazine.com/eventsSUBSCRIPTIONSaustinfitmagazine.com/subscribep512.407.8383FitMagazineassumesnoresponsibilityfor 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.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

Kati Epps, Krista Large, Katerina Cotroneo, Mia Barnes, Kara Reynolds, Whitney Otstott, Monica Brant, Sydney Torabi

MARKETING DIRECTOR | AMANDA BOURESSA

INTERNS

ART DIRECTOR | BEN CHOMIAK

# KEEPAUSTINFIT

SEPTEMBER 2022

1. Grate zucchini and onion onto a dishcloth, paper towel or cheesecloth and wring out as much moisture as possible.

1 tbsp olive oil

3. Whisk egg whites and whole eggs together.

7. Close iron and cook until steam comes out and the waffle is cooked through.

6. Divide the mixture into four portions, and pour/ spread each portion onto the waffle iron (does not have to be the shape of Texas but is extra cool when it is ��).

6 egg whites

4. Combine zucchini, onion and eggs to dry ingredients.

EPPSKATI

¾ cup oat flour

2. Mix all dry ingredients together.

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1 tsp baking powder

Makes 4 Servings 228 calories, 18.6g carbohydrates, 10g fat, 15.4g protein

4 whole eggs

8. Top with salsa if desired.

INGREDIENTS:

1 medium zucchini, grated

NUTRITION

½ tsp salt

¼ onion, grated

PREPARATION:

2 tsp turmeric

RECIPE OF THE MONTH SAVORY ZUCCHINI BREAKFAST WAFFLES

5. Preheat the waffle iron and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

AUTHOR Coach Kati Epps at MyBody GX

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AUTHOR Kati Epps HAPPY HENS, HEALTHY EGGS

n Here’s why cookingapasture-raisedfarm-fresh,eggsaremustforallofyourendeavors.

If it is true, could it be true that happy farm animals produce healthier food for us to consume?

Coach Kati Epps is the founder of MyBody GX with a background in chemistry from Colorado State University, an ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach and nutrition specialist.

A pasture-raised hen’s eggs!!!

Based on the research, you get what you pay for. The less expensive eggs laid by conventionally kept hens that are fed grains are by far less nutritional than pasture-raised hen’s eggs. When it comes to providing the best eggs, healthy and happy frolicking hens have a far superior product.

In 2007, Mother Earth News did a project testing the nutrition density of eggs from pasture-raised hens versus eggs from conventional (confined) hens. Researchers looked at 14 flocks from around the United States. Six eggs were analyzed from each of the 14 flocks in a laboratory in Portland. They established that the eggs from these free-range flocks were more nutritious by:

• Three times more vitamin E

• Three times more omega-3

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true that these happy-go-lucky hens that get to roam free, frolicking in the sunshine and eating from their environment, produce a healthier and more nutritious egg? Mother Earth News was not the first or only group to investigate the differences in the nutritional value of pasture-raised eggs.

The hens that Karsten and her team studied were rotated between fields of grass, clovers and alfalfa. They looked at 25 hens, each spending two weeks in each grassy area, then analyzed the quality of their eggs. They found that all field foraging produced more nutrient-dense eggs than those of conventionally kept hens that were fed grains.

• 1/4 less saturated fat

It was hypothesized that these dramatic nutritional differences were due to the different diets that freerange hens consumed versus the conventional caged hens. The free-range hens were able to hunt and peck around in the sunshine for bugs, grasses, seeds, worms and other natural organic matter. This allowed for a greater nutrient profile from the foods found and ingested.Theconventional hens, on the other hand, were given a diet of cheap corn, soy and/or cotton seeds plus a vitamin mixture to fill the nutritional holes. They are kept in cages that are barely big enough for the hens to move. There is little to no natural light, and the environment can be so stressful it causes the birds to molt.Isit

In 2003, Heather Karsten of Pennsylvania State University studied the health of foraging hens. First, Karsten points out that grazing and foraging are good for the grasses, soil, and water and air filtration in an ecosystem. It is also a natural way to manage farm animals, as they forage their own food and spread their own manure, with little labor or work from the farmer.

ou know the saying, “When Momma is happy, everyone is happy”? This lends itself to be true, whether that momma is a human or a chicken.

• 1/3 less cholesterol

• Seven times more beta carotene

PHOTOGRAPHYROBERTSJENNI

• Two times more omega-3 fatty acids

The nutritional advantages of pasture-raising hens for higher quality eggs are evident in the research. So, why are hens still being conventionally kept in cages and fed grains? In the end, it comes down to money. It is more economical to keep hens in this manner to produce a less expensive egg. But is it worth it?

• 2/3 more vitamin A

Pasturing provided:

• Twice as much vitamin E

Did you know there are at least 100 ways to prepare an egg? There was a chef, Marie-Antoine Carême, in the early 19th century, who used pleats in her chef hat to indicate every different way she had mastered preparing an egg. This method of folding the pleats, called a toque, has become characteristic of the chef’s hat!If there are so many ways to prepare an egg, we should make sure that the eggs we are eating have the greatest flavor and nutrition for our healthy lifestyle! This is where things can get tricky. You may be able to make a perfectly poached egg smothered in a creamy hollandaise, but what eggs are the best option for this delicious job?

• 40% more vitamin A

Is it true that free-range, pastureraised hens produce more nutritious eggs than conventional (cage-confined hens) eggs?

I think this proves, “When Momma is happy, everyone is happy!” Especially when it comes to hens and their eggs! afm

I explained what I was doing and how I felt, and I showed her my rash. She told me my body was starting to detox and encouraged me to embrace it and keep going. I decided to take her advice and stick with the program.

n Check out Krista Large’s experience going on a raw vegan diet for an entire year.

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A YEAR AS A RAW VEGAN

NUTRITION

hroughout my life, I’ve tried countless diets including, but not limited to, paleo, carnivore, keto, Whole30, bodybuilding, master cleanse, vegetarian, and vegan. But one of the greatest journeys was going raw vegan for an entire year.Iinitially heard about going raw and its powerful effects on detoxification in the body. By “going raw,” I mean eating nothing but uncooked fruits and vegetables. At the time, I wanted to detox my body from birth control pills and acne medication, so I figured it was worth a shot. My goal was to utilize this diet for three days.

Luckily, I lived in Houston at the time and connected with one of the world’s most renowned raw food experts, Fully Raw Kristina! At the time, she owned and operated a fully raw organic co-op called Rawfully Organic.

Day one was easy, and my energy levels were sky-high. Day two was even better. By day three, I felt like total crap. However, I got what I asked for as the detox symptoms became real. I felt nauseous and exhausted, my hair started falling out, and I started developing a rash on my forearm.

AUTHOR Krista Large

LARGEKRISTAOFCOURTESY

A few days later, I was on top of the world — buzzing with energy to the vibration of raw foods! My body loved the fresh foods, nutrients and high amounts of carbohydrates! My skin and mind were clear, and I felt light and clean. My goal of three days extended to a week, which grew to a month, then spread to a year.

Eating both cooked and uncooked vegetables can be beneficial; sometimes, you can cook your carrots or eat them rinsed right out of the dirt.

My precious muscle mass started disappearing — I started to look too skinny, and my strength began to suffer.

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Throughout my year of eating raw, I also took a trip to what raw vegans refer to as “Banana Island.” Banana Island is not a place but a period where you eat nothing but bananas for an extended duration. In one week, I ate 172 bananas, averaging about 25 daily!

Eventually, I stopped eating only raw foods and started eating cooked vegan foods. I began to travel more and realized how challenging it was to maintain my diet. My journey took a 180 when I went to Australia and had my first bacon and egg roll. Since then, I’ve been eating animal protein consistently.

Krista Large is a nutritionist, habit coach and online fitness trainer. Her passion in life is teaching others to dream big and live large, which starts with health. Large is an Ole Miss Rebel and runs her own brand and business based here in Austin. You can learn more about her at livinglargewellness.com.

So, why go raw vegan? Raw vegans eat this way for purity and because raw food contains live enzymes. Some nutrients and vitamins destroy quickly with cooking, such as vitamin C; therefore, eating some foods raw benefits you more than eating them cooked.

At the beginning of my journey, I used a raw vegan protein powder to supplement all the bodybuilding I was doing. I decided to quit using the protein powder because I figured I could get all of my protein from greens, as many raw enthusiasts suggested. But cutting the supplement is where I feel I went wrong.

If you notice your body cannot digest raw foods well, it’ll be evident in how it leaves your body (if you know what I mean). If this happens to you, you can use a digestive enzyme supplement to help. Ultimately, when deciding to cook or not, let your body and digestion make the call for you. Always listen first to your digestion when thinking of food!

Overall, I think the raw vegan diet is an excellent detoxification tool that can be used short term. But I recommend following a habit-based approach to nutrition for most people, focusing on behavior modifications rather than a diet! afm

After several months of being on a fully raw diet, I felt amazing — I was hitting personal records in the gym, and it was the most shredded I’ve ever been. I also changed some other habits along the way. I was able to cut caffeine entirely because I had all the energy I needed from food. I thought I would eat this way forever, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I also had days when I had a ton of digestive distress from all the raw foods, particularly huge volumes of greens.

Cooked food is important, though, because heat breaks down the wall of plant cells, which can unlock more nutrition! Heat also allows some antioxidants to increase in certain foods.Sowhich is better — cooked or raw?

NUTRITION

AUTHOR Sam Hacker

When choosing a ferret as a pet, it’s important to know what a ferret can and cannot eat and how it can impact your life.

Ferret

You’ll also want to provide a variety of ferret food because, just like cats, ferrets will become fixed on a particular brand. If you do need to switch food, gradually changing food rather than doing it instantaneously is more likely to succeed.

FEEDING TEXAS: ALTERNATIVE PETS

veryone, for the most part, knows what dogs and cats eat. But what if you have a less common animal, like a ferret or chinchilla? Here are some nutritional tips to care for those unique furry friends.

n When you have a unique pet such as a chinchilla or hedgehog, what should you know about their eating habits and needs?

Ferrets are obligate carnivores, meaning they won’t survive without meat. Their diet is similar to a cat’s; if a local pet store or veterinarian office doesn’t have ferret food, kitten food suffices. However, it’s recommended to buy premium quality cat food as it contains the correct number of nutrients, whereas generic cat food can have nutritional deficiencies, like being too low in fat.

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Chinchilla

Having dry food available is also important because it helps ferrets keep their teeth clean.

Hedgehog

Chinchillas are herbivores, and their diet should consist of high-quality pellets and fresh hay. Grass hay is recommended to be available at all times for your chinchilla, perhaps in a hay rack. Sources differ on whether or not alfalfa hay should be available at all times for chinchillas to feast on, but it’s at least recommended as a treat. Hay does more than just offer nutrients, though; it also helps keep chinchilla’s teeth healthy. Aside from hay, don’t worry about feeding your chinchilla fresh fruits or veggies, as they do not need it.

Alpacas are gentle, but sturdy creatures who can be fairly self-reliant. However, any good alpaca owner needs to know how to care for them well nutritionally.

Some treats hedgehogs enjoy include fresh veggies or fruits, but avoid avocados as they are toxic to hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are also unable to digest milk, so try to avoid any milk or milk-based products.

If you want to treat your chinchilla, try giving them dried rose hips or dandelion leaves. Dried fruit and nuts are also great treats, but they are fattening, high in sugar and can cause digestive problems, so offer these either sparingly or not at all.

These furry friends should be fed a uniformed kibble diet with some supplementals from foods that are appropriate nutrition-wise. Hedgehogs are mainly insectivores in the wild (occasionally, they are omnivores, eating small or baby mammals), so it would also be appropriate to offer insects two to three times a week as a way to supplement their diet. These insects are often gut-loading, meaning you feed the insects a nutritious diet before feeding the insects to your hedgehog so your hedgehog gets even more nutrients. Some of the insects suggested include mealworms, earthworms and crickets.

You’ll also need to monitor what grows in or near the alpaca grazing area. Since alpacas will eat anything possible, they’ll also unknowingly eat toxic plants. While plants such as oleander or lantana may not be in the pasture itself, if it’s growing near it, you’ll need to take steps to remove them before letting alpacas graze there. Other poisonous plants include rhododendron, laburnum and buttercups.

A common fact that people know about chinchillas is that they take dust baths, but here are some nutritional facts to keep your chinchilla happy and healthy.

These unusual pets can have some even more unusual nutrition habits, but they are ones that will keep your pet happy and healthy for years! afm

Alpaca

Hedgehogs are cute little critters, but most people have little idea what hedgehogs need in their diet.

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Foods to avoid include fruits and vegetables, such as raisins. If there is too much sugar or complex carbohydrates, your ferret will get sick as their digestive tract cannot process it. However, cooked eggs, cooked meat (especially chicken), freeze-dried muscle, or organ meats are all acceptable treats that your ferret will love.

It’s important to note that if you do wish to feed your hedgehogs insects, they need to either be bought from the pet store or raised in the house. Buying insects from a bait shop or catching them from the garden are dangerous because they could have harmful insecticides or fertilizers. If you’re worried, you can talk to your local vet about where to purchase insects or how to raise the insects for your hedgehog.

Alpacas are primarily grazers. While similar to sheep in regard to their digestive tract, alpacas actually need a diet that’s closer to a horse. Alpacas only eat about 2% of their body weight in feed each day, but they’re effective at extracting nutrients from available feed. While alpacas can survive harsh conditions, it still helps to provide supplemental nutrients with food pellets specifically tailored for alpacas.

ustin Farm Sanctuary has been providing at-risk animals a forever home since 2016, and it all started by accident.

PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Throop

the meat, dairy or egg industry. Chris Fuller-Wigg, who co-owns AFS with his wife Angela, says they partner with other shelters and rescues to find homes for less at-risk animals, such as dogs, cats and“Ifhorses.they’re not at risk of being killed, we want to lean on the

HOME AND HEALING AT AUSTIN FARM SANCTUARY

LIFESTYLE

Located on 40 acres of land, AFS is a nonprofit that rescues farm animals from being sold into

n Austin Farm Sanctuary offers healing and home to farm animals in need by creating a space for human-animalintentionalinteraction.

AUTHOR Rebekah Smith

Today, AFS has almost 130 residents. They provide sanctuary for pigs, chickens, ducks, a tortoise, peacocks, goats, miniature mules

“Sometimes a vegan perspective

community to adopt them,” Chris says. “We’re a forever home for the (farm) animals we take in.”

Chris and Angela have been vegans for years. After buying their first home in South Austin, they realized they could proactively help animals when they learned about two at-risk goats, Bertha and Cookie. The Fuller-Wiggs opened their then-half-acre backyard to theThreepair. months later, they took in a pig, Doya, who was three days from being sent to auction and slaughtered.“Havingthat mindfulness of farm animals was already on our radar,” Chris says. “When we found out Doya was in need, we realized there was something we could do for this entire group of animals.”

Many of the AFS animals also have special needs. Lauren Riggs, a former veterinary technician,

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and donkeys, cows, sheep, cats, and 13Thedogs!Fuller-Wiggs also use AFS as a platform for the vegan lifestyle. Their events gather the community to enjoy plant-based foods, feed animals and make lifelong friends.

can feel limiting. The transition might be hard, but we still get to do all the same things,” Angela says. “And that connection with the animals is special for us.”

The AFS owners also strive to maintain the animals’ physical health since many were bred to be butchered and quickly put on weight — especially the pot-bellied pigs. Angela, who has a degree in exercise science, says weight management is important for pigs’ long-term joint health.

whole process,” Riggs says.

as she was vegetarian for 20 years before becoming vegan two years ago.“It’s hard to get back into eating meat once you’re cuddling with a goat that’s been saved from the

“(Pigs) are like us, so we know the solutions because it’s the same (problem),” Angela says. “The more they lose weight, the more active they want to be because they feel better.”AFSalso supports the animals’ mental health. Having a community of people who treat the animals with kindness helps replace their fear with love.

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works as the sanctuary’s full-time animal caregiver. Riggs treats blind, deaf, immuno-compromised, arthritic and ill-born animals.

n LIFESTYLE

Riggs says many AFS visitors are influenced by the vegan culture,

“Many of (the animals) have fear of humans because they’ve

Chris says getting to know animals individually is important for building relationships. Though he already didn’t want to harm pigs, meeting and spending time with Doya sparked a change in him.

something bigger than herself.

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“It set in a lot differently for me when I was able to lay in the backyard with Doya, our breath synced, making eye contact,” Chris says. “This connection just becomes deeper and more individualized; we allow people to have that same kind of experience.”

“(I thought) I caused more harm than good, so a big part of it early on (was realizing) I could help this animal,” Angela says. “Watching them heal encourages me — I can keepLasthealing.”year,Riggs had a similar experience working with Wendell, a special needs cow, who passed away after eight months. Riggs says losing Wendell jump-started her commitment to each AFS animal in which she gets to be a part of

only seen friends be taken away or treated badly,” Chris says. “But after a couple weeks or months, 95% of them are interested in humans.”Watching the animals heal is particularly special for Angela, who’s also healing. She’s in addiction recovery and nearing 10 years of sobriety. Before AFS, Angela couldn’t imagine a life where she could help another being because of her own sickness.

can start a chain reaction or help people feel connected to another being with feelings.

Now, when an animal dies, the team remembers there is more healing and beauty to come.

“We, as a society, have blocked out (animals’ intelligence and emotions) and not given them the ability to have trauma or heal,” Chris says. “Because it’s easier to whitewash them as ‘just an animal’ or ‘product’ as opposed to an individual that feels.”

Angela says there’s no shame in that because it’s our tendency as humans, but AFS provides an opportunity to change your mind.

Chris says AFS and other sanctuaries are paving the way for helping farm animals when the goal isn’t butchering, but long-term health.“(These animals) don’t belong on our plates but in our backyard as our family members,” Chris says. afm

“These animals are so different from humans because they represent pure innocence. There’s no malice in (them),” Riggs says. “I’m doing my best to foster and promote (their) innocence.”

Though many visitors aren’t initially interested in being vegan, Angela says they get to see the animals as individuals, which

n This is the ultimate guide to horseback riding in Austin, featuring experienced equestrian champion Catherine Moorhead.

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“(Riding) engages your core legs and arm muscles and has you constantly thinking on your feet,” Moorhead says.

AUTHOR | PHOTOGRAPHY Katerina Cotroneo

What I love about horses is the history we, as humans, have with them. They live up to the tall tale of being kind-hearted like giant dogs, but we have gone to war with them under

LIFESTYLE

quine exercise is a great way to get both your mind and body active. A person of any age is a great candidate to start the ever-so-exciting horse riding experience, whether you’re 6 or 60, looking to do jumps or just rideLongtimetrails. rider and experienced champion Catherine Moorhead says horseback riding is physically and mentally engaging.

STOP HORSIN’ AROUND, FIND A STABLE!

sport, derby or even simply trail riding. But nonetheless, they are stillSomeloyal.children start riding and competing on horses as young as

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us, crossed countries with them carrying our wagons behind them, and have been on both sides of all historic tales. They’ve evolved with us and are now our companions in

4 or 5 years old, but it’s never too late to start! The technical skills you need to ride make one grow up quickly so, if anything, starting older might mean you have an advantage.“WhatIlove about (riding) is it’s difficult and unique and you’re constantly sweating,” Moorhead says. “It’s definitely a workout, but you don’t even realize you’re working out because you’re so focused.”Withthere being a live animal involved, there is a constant variable of the unexpected at bay, which makes it all the more thrilling and fun than your average cardio.Obviously, horses are a massive financial commitment, but there are different levels of it just like anything else! You can take lessons and not commit to anything, you can lease a horse which is

FARMVISTARIOBYPROVIDEDARENAREDBYPROVIDEDSTABLESWILLOSWITCHBYPROVIDED

essentially like renting, and if you genuinely love the sport, you can buy a horse. But you don’t have to decide anything at the start! There is plenty of time to choose your pony path. In and near Austin, we’re lucky to have plenty of places to choose from for riding.

RED Arena

Rio Vista Farm

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Switch Willo Stables, a historic stable founded in 1963, has hundreds of horses for camps and newbies looking to take the plunge.

Located in North Austin, the drive into the stables feels like you’re in a movie. The horses are well-kept, and Switch Willo is a great jumping point if you don’t know where to start and want to take a few private lessons or sign up for a summer camp. Many top-ranked riders started at Switch Willo, and they have an emphasis on the hunter/ jumper discipline.

n LIFESTYLE

Switch Willo Stables

Located in Del Valle, Rio Vista Farm is another great spot to learn from scratch how to mount a horse or, if you’re not as new to the sport, how to get back into the game. They also offer private or group lessons to get you in tip-top riding shape. Rio is well-known for English skillsets, and they offer shows in-house for those new to the game looking to gain experience.

RED Arena is an organization specifically for the disabled, serving ages 2 and up. Everyone should be able to experience the way it feels to ride a horse, and RED makes sure nobody is left out of that equation. According to their website, each lesson is adaptable to each rider to enable their growth in independence. Located in Dripping Springs, RED has great horses and people ready to teach.

There is something about having a unique way to move your body that engages your mind and fulfills you like no other. You sleep better and feel more wholesome knowing you and a gorgeous creature had a wonderful day of exercise and enlightenment and, while you’re at it, you’ll make new friends in a new

CotroneoKaterina is behindandbackgroundherwriter.turnedphotographerprofessionalalifestyleUsingmarketinghertalentthe

responsibility, technique and detail skills they wouldn’t learn in any old sport or hobby. Riding horses truly builds character and a great physique of strength and endurance. There are lots of places in Austin, including these to name a few. I hope this fall you give horseback a chance! afm

camera, Katerina tells unique stories through her lens and captures diverse perspectives.

community. If you’ve ever ridden a horse on a vacation or briefly when you were young, you know how sore you wake up the next day. Like riding a bike, you move muscles you didn’t even realize you had, and the benefits of an equine exercise life are endless. If you’re looking at this for your child, you’re teaching

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AUTHOR Rebekah Smith

FINDING FERAL SANCTUARY AT STREET CAT RESCUE

“There’scats. an art to (trapping), and if it’s done right, you can quickly take care of a colony and get them all fixed,” Powell says. “It becomes

“It’s not a good idea to take a trapped cat to the shelter,” Powell says. “It’s hard to determine (their) temperament in a shelter environment.”Today,SCRrequires a more selective process for bringing in cats, which is why Powell emphasizes the use of TNR. She uses her platform to educate and train the public to properly trap stray

“I thought, ‘I won’t get attached. I can trap these cats, get them fixed and help the population,’” Powell says.Her attachment became the catalyst for finding these strays quality homes. She says street cats don’t belong in a shelter because they’re often not adoptable. Austin is a no-kill city, so street cats have a chance to survive, but in some states, cats are euthanized if they aren’t deemed “adoptable.” And temperament is an important factor in discerning which cats are feral and which are tame.

LIFESTYLE

n Street Cat Rescue rescues felines in Austin, helps them become adoptable and provides a forever home for those with sickness.

ighteen years ago, Donna Powell decided to help stray cats through a process trap/neuter/releasecalled (TNR). She trapped feral cats, had them spayed or neutered, and returned them to the streets. When she realized she was personally sheltering 16 cats, she decided to do something. Powell created Street Cat Rescue, a nonprofit for stray cats, located on her property nearTheAustin.beginning of SCR was Kitty Mama, the first street cat that Powell befriended. Powell, who was originally not a cat person, saw a skinny, black cat running across a lot near her workplace on a cold, rainy day. She put out some food, then decided to get the cat spayed. Powell learned Kitty Mama was nursing newborn kittens at the time, so she took them all home and fell in love.

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Powell also says TNR is important because female cats are constantly breeding and can go into heat within two weeks of their kittens being taken away from them.

Over the years, Powell has turned her property into a “cat ranch” that includes the main cat area, medical room and “Newman’s Landing,” which houses leukemia-positive cats. There is also the “Enchanted Forest,” a netted-in space for play.

Zenfell has witnessed the importance of feral and tame cat interaction and enjoys how they learn from each other, often to receive food and affection. Powell, who incorporates this idea at the cat ranch, says mixing the cats works to their advantage as socializing has helped many of the feral cats become adoptable.

“(It) doesn’t matter if they’re feral or her personal cats; (Donna) pours her heart and soul into (them),” Brown says. “She’ll spend as much money as needed to (...) get this cat better and give it as much of a good life as she can.”

For Aurora Zenfell, who began volunteering at SCR during the pandemic, spending time with the cats benefits her mentally and emotionally. As opposed to volunteering at shelters during her college days, Zenfell says she enjoys getting to know the cats’ personalities.“Thebestpart is interacting with the cats,” Zenfell says. “Breaking a managed colony.”

“There’s a lot of different cat rescues, but we all do slightly different things,” Zenfell says. “We’re all pieces of a larger puzzle.” afm

SCR tests each incoming cat for illnesses and offers sanctuary to

sick cats. Powell says leukemiaand FIV-positive cats are hard to adopt out, but veterinarians have found that a good environment characterized by low stress and proper nutrition can help these cats live long lives.

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“We spend money on higher quality food, and we know the importance of wet food for cats,” Powell says. “Vets are saying if they can be on it, 80% of their diet should be wet (because) it prevents kidney failure.”

Of course, intentionally caring for 65 cats requires hard labor. For instance, many volunteers often must carry 40-pound bags of pine pellets for cat litter!

Meanwhile, Powell and her volunteers, who help at the property, specialize in caring for elderly, special needs or hard-toadopt cats. They provide shelter and medical care.

that wall (of socializing the less social ones) is satisfying for me.”

Nancy Brown is a personal trainer who began volunteering at SCR in January 2022 after attending the nonprofit’s annual Christmas fundraiser. She works at the cat ranch by carrying bags of litter, feeding, sweeping, cleaning litter boxes, giving water and washing dishes.

Though there are many cat rescues in the area, Zenfell says SCR is unique in its own way.

As such, SCR prioritizes the health of all their cats. Powell supplies around 65 cats with high-quality, natural food and supplements, such as CBD and essential oils. She says all-natural, grain-free nutrition and low stress lead to healthier cats.

“There are some (cats) that become blind (and) some that become old and start having health issues,” Powell says. “We like to give those cats a place to live out the rest of their lives.”

RESCUECATSTREETOFCOURTESYPHOTOS

Brown also says Powell cares tremendously for the cats of SCR.

“There are not enough homes for all the cats in the world(...) There’s not even enough for the ones in the shelter,” Powell says. “If (it) ends up being a nice cat, (you) can try to find a home for it or take it in.”

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n These safari and zoo experiences are the hidden gems of animal experiences in Texas.

he Fort Worth Zoo and Fossil Rim are the larger and more well-known zoos/safari experiences in Texas for a reason. However, the smaller, more hidden ones are still worth the visit. Here are some zoo and safari experiences that may be less popular and smaller in size but are just as wonderful in their own character and niche personality.

LIFESTYLE

AUTHOR Mallory McKeever

The Franklin Drive Thru Safari is located on more than 100 acres of land in Franklin where you can visit 500+ exotic animals. Visitors have the opportunity to hand-feed animals including giraffes, zebras, camels, deer, wolves, longhorn, reindeer, sloths and llamas. They can also play with baby lemurs, monkeys, and armadillos and pet tortoises, monkeys and wolves. The safari also includes a reptile house and aviary for viewing.

Franklin Drive Thru Safari 

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GET WILD IN TEXAS!

Texas Exotic Animals 

AUSTIN FIT MAGAZINE29 ZOOFARMSNAKE&WORLDANIMALOFCOURTESY

Texas Exotic Animals is an exotic breeder that offers experiences focused on visitors getting to know their favorite animal. Texas Exotic Animals offers potential buyers a tour to privately spend time with their animal of choice and ask staff any questions about animal care. This breeder also offers Crittergrams where guests can be photographed with an animal, like a reindeer, and other characters for the holidays. Finally, their Zoo to You encounter brings a selection of your favorite animals to visit at your next birthday party or at other events.

 Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

Located in New Braunfels, the Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo has an exciting variety of activities to educate others on protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable living. They offer a zoo, fossil dig and exotic animal encounters. Their residents include the binturong, black mamba, fennec fox, anaconda, jaguar, mountain lion, peacock, toucan, hyena, American alligator, python, lemur, skunk, tortoise, and warthog. Visitors can even hold some of these animals! At their mine, Two Rivers Mining Co., guests can search for gemstones, fossils, minerals, crystals and shark teeth.

ANIMALSEXOTICTEXASOFCOURTESY

Only a 30-minute drive from South Padre Island, Fragile Planet Wildlife Park specializes in one-on-one animal experiences and unique tours. Visitors can feed sloths and otters, and children can participate in their junior zookeeper camp. “Wildlife Alive” is a 2-hour long tour priced at $50 per person and includes animal exhibit viewings, an interactive animal show, a camel encounter and a tour of the “frog lab.” Fragile Planet is focused on hands-on work with animals, which serves as their inspiration for their amphibian conservation breeding project and also their junior zookeeper camp. This camp provides a time for children ages 6 to 9 to have hands-on learning about animal care with photoWhetheropportunities.it’stoswim

Blue Hills Ranch 

Blue Hills Ranch sprawls on 150 acres of gorgeous hills only 15 minutes outside of Waco. Blue Hills Ranch is an immersive camp/ranch experience priced at $50 per person and includes the opportunity to stay at the ranch to fish, hike, star gaze, play disc golf, go to the gym, play darts, swim, or play horseshoes. Guests can also go on the resort tour, which consists of a private grand safari drive to see the giraffes, zebras, camels, mini Scottish highland cows, bison, mini donkeys, deer, kangaroos, otters, and an emu — most of which are available to touch and feed. The second package is a membership to join the ranch family with prices of $400 per day for an adult and $125 per day for a child and includes all the activities of the regular membership and a chance to swim with the otters and assist in ranch chores.

n LIFESTYLE

 Fragile Planet Wildlife Park

with the otters, feed the giraffes, take holiday photos with reindeer or dig for gems, these spots around Texas are not to be overlooked. Even if it’s a short road trip, the prices are manageable and the experiences are worth it. Don’t forget your camera for those picture-perfect moments! afm

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

HOOK ’EM

Hear from some riders on the Texas Equestrian Team and how horses have shaped their lives.

HORSES

AUTHOR LANDRY ALLRED

Luckily, the University of Texas has a Texas Equestrian Team, which competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) throughout the academic year. This coed team competes only in the English hunter/jumper division, both on the flat and over fences.

The team meets and practices in Wimberley at Bel Canto Farms, which is owned by Suzanne Warmack, the Texas Equestrian Team head coach. Warmack stepped into the position in September of 2021 after the previous coach moved away. Since then, she’s been able to provide not only a home base and horses for the team but also leadership and friendship.

Without the Texas Equestrian Team, Bella Thayer would be left without an outlet in college to pursue her passion for horses and Michael Chan would never have known the joys of riding.

“The best part of the team is the relationships we’re building,” Warmack says. “These kids are great, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them and helping them at whatever level they need. But aside from being a coach,

I feel like I’m an adult friend; I try to at least give some friendly advice or be a good ear for them.”

I SPENT THE FIRST SEMESTER ON THE TEAM OVERCOMING MY FEAR. FEAR IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART ABOUT EQUESTRIAN AND ONCE YOU OVERCOME THAT PART, THE REST IS PRETTY EASY. YOU JUST HAVE TO KNOW WHERE YOU’RE LIMITED.”

She started Bel Canto Farms in 2005, eventually moving out to her Wimberley property in 2011. Today, along with being the coach of the Texas Equestrian Team, she is also involved in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association as well as the Texas Hunter JumperSimilarAssociation.toWarmack, Thayer also grew up with a yearning for the sport. Even though her family didn’t have connections to horses, Thayer always asked for horse toys and finally sat on a horse at age 3. About five years later, she started riding lessons and has been hooked

“I was fascinated (by horses) from the time I was tiny,” Warmack says. “At the race track, I was pointing at horses the whole time, wanting to be down by the track instead of sitting in the owner’s box.”

“Whensince.you get on a horse, everything else that’s happening in your life, you can’t think about,” Thayer says. “No matter how much homework or other stuff

Warmack, who was raised in Chicago, first became interested in horses at a young age. Her family raced horses, enabling Warmack to visit the track as a toddler, and she eventually started riding lessons at age 4.

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As an arts and entertainment technology senior at the University of Texas at Austin, Thayer originally planned her college decision around whether or not the university had an IHSA team. By the time she started at UT, she was ready to join the Texas Equestrian Team.

none, so he started training from scratch. In China, where he grew up, there were few opportunities to ride horses. But here, he was able to jump into something new.“Ispent the first semester on the team overcoming my fear,” Chan says. “Fear is the most challenging part about equestrian and once you overcome that part, the rest is pretty easy. You just have to know where you’re limited.”TheTexas Equestrian Team opens applications to join during the fall and spring semesters. Interested applicants have the opportunity to attend informational sessions before applying to the team, and admittance isn’t based on past experience. After joining the team, riders are matched with a horse based on their height and weight proportions as well as their skill and goals for growth. Many riders don’t end up staying with the same horse, providing the opportunity to train with other horses at the farm to strengthen certainWarmackskills.says during training and competition, a lot of communication occurs between the rider and the horse. As you grow in your relationship with the horse, you have going on, you get time to just think about nothing else but what you’re doing at the moment.”

In a similar way, international relations and global studies sophomore Chan also wouldn’t have much opportunity to ride if this team didn’t exist. However, when Chan joined the team, he was completely new to the equestrian sport. After watching the movie “War Horse,” he knew he wanted to start riding horses.

Chan started attending UT in the fall of 2021 and joined the Longhorn Band where he met Thayer, who eventually connected him to the equestrian team. His past experience with the equestrian sport was slim to

“If we didn’t have a team, there is no way I’d be able to ride in college, both from a money factor and also a time thing of finding someone who’s willing to schedule around school,” Thayer says.

“(Horses) are herd animals,” Chan says. “They need a leader to tell them what to do, and in this case, a rider is the one in Horsebackcontrol.”ridingis not only a physical sport but a mental one, as riders must be focused on their actions; Thayer says horses can actually sense when a rider feelsChannervous.notes that in this partnership with the horse, the rider is constantly improving through sharpening their techniques.

Something Chan realized when he started riding was how intelligent and intuitive horses are. In communicating with the horse, a rider’s mentality greatly impacts the horse’s actions.

WHEN YOU GET ON A HORSE, EVERYTHING ELSE THAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE, YOU CAN’T THINK ABOUT. NO MATTER HOW MUCH HOMEWORK OR OTHER STUFF YOU HAVE GOING ON, YOU GET TIME TO JUST THINK ABOUT NOTHING ELSE BUT WHAT YOU’RE DOING AT THE MOMENT.”

Riders on the team are required to train regularly throughout the semester. Beginners are encouraged to train at a minimum of one time a week while the more advanced riders train up to two times per week with the option of an additional hack ride (leisure ride) per week. During lessons, riders spend at least an hour and

you’re able to subtly communicate with your body what you want the horse to do.

“In this sport, (you) are your biggest enemy, not so much your competitors, teammate or horse,” Chan says. “(...) I feel like it’s a constant battle of defeating my own self, a process to constantly improve myself, not just physically but mentally.”

a half grooming, prepping and riding the horse, as well as partaking in aftercare.

In a single competition, there are six riders each paired with a horse, which they drew from a random pool of horses. Riders are then judged on their ability to ride and handle the horse, aka catch riding.

IF WE DIDN’T HAVE A TEAM, THERE IS NO WAY I’D BE ABLE TO RIDE IN COLLEGE, BOTH FROM A MONEY FACTOR AND ALSO A TIME THING OF FINDING SOMEONE WHO’S WILLING TO SCHEDULE AROUND SCHOOL.”

Since riders don’t have the opportunity to train with the horse beforehand, Thayer says they must draw from past experiences riding on similarly skilled

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During a horse show, the team competes to earn both team and individual points for the day to determine the high-point team/rider as well as points to determine if the team will move to the next level. There are two main classes they compete in — jumping (in which they move throughout a course of fences) and flat work (in which they ride based on the judges’ direction). Each class has levels ranging from beginner to advanced, and teams need one rider to compete in each class to earn overall points.

Chan typically trains once or twice a week while Thayer tries to train about twice a week. However, in the summer, both have had the opportunity to train more often, especially without school or band practice going on. Training plays an important role in preparing riders for competition.

horses from the farm. This is why it’s important for riders to not only have the physical capability of riding but also the ability to quickly problem-solve.

make it look easy, but it’s not easy,” Warmack says. “It takes a lot of falling off to get to the point where it looks easy.”

“Horses need a constant reminder to tell them what to do,” Chan says. “Otherwise, they’re not going to do it.”For those new to riding, Warmack says people often expect to start jumping within their first ride. However, she cautions that it’s not as simple as you think.“(Riders)

However, one perk of starting riding from scratch is that you don’t come to the sport with expectations. Thayer says since she had past experience riding solo, it was difficult for her to transition into riding with a team.“Coming from a world where I had my own horse and I was used to riding on my own and making my own decisions to then ride with a team was a little weird for me,” Thayer says. “(It) was going from picking what I

THE BEST PART OF THE TEAM IS THE RELATIONSHIPS WE’RE BUILDING. THESE KIDS ARE GREAT, AND I’VE ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW THEM AND HELPING THEM AT WHATEVER LEVEL THEY NEED. BUT ASIDE FROM BEING A COACH, I FEEL LIKE I’M AN ADULT FRIEND; I TRY TO AT LEAST GIVE SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE OR BE A GOOD EAR FOR THEM.”

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Chan admits that before joining the team, he thought the horses did most of the work. He eventually learned that much of the effort comes from the rider.

“People who ride are a little different,” Warmack says. “We don’t mind getting our hands dirty. We’re just a little tougher than the average person.” afm

Despite the challenges of transitioning into a teamcentered mindset, Thayer says the equestrian sport and team have provided a constant in her life.

“I love that (riding) has been available for me at every point in my life,” Thayer says. “It’s always been there where I can just go to the barn at the end of a long week, put everything aside for an hour or two, and just think about what I’m doing.”

Warmack hopes the team can compete in more shows as well as recruit more riders, especially guys since Chan is the only guy currently on the team. Thayer, as the new team captain, says the team will start competing soon.

IN THIS SPORT, (YOU) ARE YOUR BIGGEST ENEMY, NOT SO MUCH YOUR COMPETITORS, TEAMMATE OR HORSE. I FEEL LIKE IT’S A CONSTANT BATTLE OF DEFEATING MY OWN SELF, A PROCESS TO CONSTANTLY IMPROVE MYSELF, NOT JUST PHYSICALLY BUT MENTALLY.”

want to do to (making decisions) for the purpose of the better of the team.”

Overall, both Chan and Thayer aim to continue riding and competing throughout the rest of the college and hopefully after. The grit and determination sparked by the first ride shine in all riders, beyond just Chan and Thayer.

Heroes:Healthcare

Pet Therapy

AUTHOR JULIA SALAS

Meet the Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, a nonprofit that aims to improve the life of institutionalized people through pet therapy.

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Kaufman, who moved to Austin earlier this year to be closer to family, had the opportunity to experience Therapy Pet Pals for the first time when she began living at Longleaf Bee Cave. She explains that seeing the dogs is a highlight of her day and that she, and those around her, have an immediate positive reaction.

Among the happiness and joy that pet pals bring to these facilities, they also help remind residents, including Kaufman, of pets they had to leave at home once they entered the facility. For Therapy Pet Pals, this is one of the many benefits of their program: validation therapy. For many individuals, the pet pals serve as an “ice breaker” for people to share stories about themselves or even pets they owned in the past.

The program first started when the founder, Kathryn Lashmit, was inspired after reading about an experimental animal-assisted therapy program. With a desire to make a real difference in the lives of institutionalized people, she decided to take her own puppy on a visit to a nursing home. Though the facility was hesitant to allow the visit, the staff soon watched as Lashmit’s puppy shared her affectionate love with all residents. This moment gave birth to Therapy Pet Pals.Today,

Lucy and Daisy are a part of Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, a nonprofit organization founded with the goal of improving the quality of life for all institutionalized people. The program, which was established in 1984, brings happiness and companionship to those who need it the most — the elderly, the mentally and physically challenged, and the terminally ill.

“Sometimes, especially going to a nursing home, you are their only visitor,” Gray says. “Many visitors see the dog and they want to hug them and hold onto them.”

Nancy Gray, the executive director at Therapy Pet Pals, has worked there for over 20 years and has experienced first-hand the effect these pets can have on someone’s mental health.

THIS IS SUCH A SPECIAL PROGRAM. THE DOGS ARE LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN; THEY GET TO BE LIKE FAMILY. SOME PEOPLE DON’T GET VERY MANY VISITORS, SO THIS PROGRAM IS REALLY NICE. ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAD A BAD DAY, IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE” CAVEBEELONGLEAFOFCOURTESY

“Some people don’t get very many visitors, so this program is really nice,’’ Kaufman says. “Especially if you had a bad day, it makes a big difference.”

As a loving Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Daisy and a friendly, caring Goldendoodle named Lucy entered each room at the Longleaf Bee Cave assisted living facility, their warm demeanor and sweet disposition immediately lifted the spirits of the residents. The dogs, who were enjoying their time just as much as the residents, walked through each room, offering every individual their unconditional love. Smiles, laughter and joy spread through the building in a matter of seconds.

Other benefits of this program include physical therapy and mental therapy. Some individuals will exercise their afflicted limbs in order to reach and pet

Resources state facilities, and more. The nonprofit provides regular visits between pets (aka pet pals) and residents at these facilities to form and cultivate special bonds.

Therapy Pet Pals of Texas serves approximately 90 different facilities across Texas including hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, My Health My

Fran Kaufman, a 75-year-old woman who lives at Longleaf Bee Cave assisted living facility, notes the positive impact that pet pal visits have made on her life.“This is such a special program,” Kaufman says. “The dogs are like little children; they get to be like family.”

These visits are spearheaded by volunteers, who bring their own dog or cat to a facility that partners with the nonprofit. Each volunteer has the opportunity to choose which facilities they want to visit and depending on facility rules and procedures, visits can be scheduled accordingly. Volunteers and their pets will then walk around the facility and visit any resident who wishes to be greeted by a pet pal.

FRAN KAUFMAN

TEXASOFPALSPETTHERAPYOFCOURTESYPHOTOS

One of the greatest benefits of being a volunteer with pet pals is that they have the opportunity to improve someone’s day and contribute to someone’s mental well-being. Many volunteers share that this program is just as rewarding for residents as it is for them — while the pets are sharing their love, volunteers get to meet and talk with some amazing people. Gray notes that this is one of the best things about the Therapy Pet Pals of Texas

the dogs. For others, and for those who are less communicative, the pet pals provide companionship and allow people to be more open emotionally and socially. Additionally, this program can help alleviate profound loneliness and depression, enhance the patient’s quality of life, and provide happiness and companionship.

“Our biggest issue is finding and keeping volunteers,” Gray says. “There are so many facilities now and everyone wants dogs to come.”

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Those interested in becoming a volunteer can consult the Therapy Pet Pals of Texas website to find detailed information on how to begin the process. All dog breeds and cats are welcome to join the program as long as the animals are affectionate to strangers and can follow basic commands.

Upon becoming a volunteer, Therapy Pet Pals asks that you have a CGC, canine good citizen, which is a test that is nationally recognized by the American Kennel Club that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible ownership to owners. Once volunteers get a CGC, they can return to Therapy Pet Pals where they will be put in a qualifying class and partnered with a trainer at a healthcare facility. Training is held at both their Austin and Houston locations and once their training is complete, volunteers are free to take their pets to visit healthcare facilities on their own.

To provide more experiences like these, Therapy Pet Pals is always looking for new volunteers. However, Gray says recruiting volunteers can be a challenge.

“Whenprogram.Iwalkout of (a healthcare facility) knowing that I just made someone’s day, I smile all the way home,” Gray says. afm

A SANCTUARY SUPERPOWERSOF

While there are many places that provide animal-assisted therapy and interactions, Safe in Austin Rescue Ranch is a nonprofit that stands out among the rest for its dedication to both humans and animals who have special needs. This sanctuary rescues animals that have been abused, severely

WELLNESS

SAFE IN AUSTIN:

n This local sanctuary rescues neglected and abused animals and connects them to children of similar stories.

AUTHOR Caitlyn Meisner

disabilities or special needs benefit greatly from interactions with animals. In fact, animal-assisted intervention is used in these spaces, serving as a source of nonjudgemental social interaction.

neglected or have special needs and invites families with similar stories to tour the facility and spend time with the animals.

In 2014, Wallace-Griner purchased a run-down ranch in Leander, which kickstarted renovations for this safe haven. The ranch has since met with thousands of families and taken in hundreds of Wallace-Griner’sanimals. favorite moments are seeing interactions between children and animals who have similar disabilities, like blind animals with blind children or deaf animals signing with deaf children. She calls these attributes an animal or child’s “superpower.” WallaceGriner says the heart behind Safe in Austin is to not judge a book by its cover but to look with your heart rather than your eyes.

Jamie Wallace-Griner, the founder of Safe in Austin, says she started the nonprofit after she and her family took in a dog named Angel. With unconditional love, Angel transformed the life of Wallace-Griner’s son, who has autism.“(Angel) provided protection from (my son’s) fears,” WallaceGriner writes on the ranch’s website. “She was a friend to cuddle through the tears, and she gave him newfound confidence. Most importantly, (my son) now had power over his disabilities.”

“You see strength, hope and so

ccording to a study on autism withdisabilities,developmentalandchildrenphysical

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child with animals that struggle with similar things. All visits to the ranch are by appointment only, but they do host public days regularly so everyone can enjoy the ranch.

Healing Hearts is a flagship program that’s a free, privately guided tour through the Rescue Ranch with Wallace-Griner. After the tour, many participants funnel into the Healing Hearts Animal Care program, where children learn to care for these animals and build relationships on the ranch. Reboot at the Rescue is a monthly event hosted at the ranch for specific age groups to socialize and bring inspiration to one another. All ages and abilities are welcome and have the opportunity to have a more intimate experience on the ranch. Another program is the Sunset Society, which is a program on Monday nights for older, at-risk children around Austin. Children are fed dinner and are allowed to do homework, sleep or simply relax. Wallace-Griner says there is power in the relationship and responsibility that Safe in Austin offers to children with special needs.“We take people (who) are used to being the ones (who) are having to be cared for and we turn them into the caretaker,” Wallace-Griner says. “They’re helping animals that have stories just like them, so it’s almost like they’re helping themselves. There’s something powerful about going from the one that needs to be taken care of to the one that’s taking care of others.” afm

AUSTININSAFEOFCOURTESY

THEY’RE HELPING ANIMALS THAT HAVE STORIES JUST LIKE THEM, SO IT’S ALMOST LIKE THEY’RE HELPING THEMSELVES. THERE’S SOMETHING POWERFUL ABOUT GOING FROM THE ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF TO THE ONE THAT’S TAKING CARE OF OTHERS.”

With many animal residents, most of their veterinary and food expenses are funded through animal sponsorships, which are purely donation-based and can be done through PayPal on their website. The community also supports Safe in Austin by donating essential supplies or joining the volunteer program, which WallaceGriner is currently building. Right now, only Wallace-Griner, her mother and two friends run ranch operations.“It’stricky because (it’s) not a dog shelter where you can teach (volunteers) about dogs and it stays the same all the time,” WallaceGriner says. “I have 18 different species of animals that you have to learn about first, and then I take it a whole step forward with all of my animals having significant special needs of some sort.”

Aside from the volunteer programs, Safe in Austin hosts multiple other programs including Healing Hearts, Reboot at the Rescue and Sunset Society. Each program is unique in its activities and participants, but all have the same goal of community and healing.

much more than an animal with some hard story,” Wallace-Griner says. “It’s important to children and adults who have that same concept. They don’t want pity; they want friendship.”Wallace-Griner’s “superpower” concept originates from Champion the Cow, an adult quadriplegic cow with no use of his limbs. She often tells the kids who visit him that Champion is the only full-grown cow that gets to fly because of his lack of mobility — his greatest superpower!Familieswho connect with the ranch typically request a free tour first where Wallace-Griner asks them about the child’s disability or needs. She then matches the

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So what kind of critter should you adopt? Consider these personality tips to determine the best pet for your mental health.

for busy owners who are on the go. You don’t have to worry about paying for daycare for short overnight trips of 24 to 48 hours — merely ensure your companion has adequate food, water and a clean litter box before you leave. However, keep in mind that cats can get lonely, so consider adopting a pair if you frequently travel.

You can also consider a kitty if you have mobility issues. Nearly every dog breed requires daily walks to stay healthy. However, your feline companion can get plenty of exercise indoors if you provide adequate toys and climbing trees. These need not be expensive — you can DIY a cat tree with sturdy cardboard boxes, glue and carpet scraps. A simple laser pointer offers hours of entertainment for you and exercise for your friend.

YOUR PERSONALITYPAW

The Best Qualities for Cat People

Cats generally are more independent than their canine kin, but that’s not to say that some kitties don’t love to cuddle. Some breeds — like Maine Coons and Ragdolls — are known for their lap-warming properties.Catsareideal

WELLNESS

AUTHOR Mia Barnes

Adopting a cat might be best if you’re new to pet ownership. They introduce you to the demands of animal care but don’t require nearly the degree of training and attention that a dog does.

n This time, we’re answering the age-old question, “Are you more of a cat person or a dog person?”

It takes maybe 30 minutes a day to scoop the litter box and ensure your kitty has plenty of water and food — although you need plenty of cuddling and socialization time, too.

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re you looking for a holistic way to improve your mental health? Have you thought about adopting a pet? Research suggests animals can help you feel more supported and less lonely. Those fourlegged friends are so effective at emotional regulation that hospitals and nursing homes even use them to reduce stress and anxiety and provide support during difficult times.

In general, dog owners could be more outgoing. However, the right pup can help a shy introvert make friends — at least one person is sure to approach you on a walk and ask to say hello to your four-legged friend.

Characteristics of Doggie Parents

If you want an activity partner and faithful friend who rushes to greet you at the door daily, a dog is the right pet for your mental health. Exercise is one of the best remedies for depression and your canine companion will demand their daily walk or jog, pulling you out of your funk on those days when you’d rather stay in sofa-city.

• What activity level can you tolerate? A high-energy Jack Russell Terrier can drive you nuts if you’re more sedate.

Discover the Best Pets for Your Mental Health

Dogs require more care than cats, so this pet isn’t for you if you’re short on time. You should enroll your puppy in socialization and training classes so they become accustomed to how to behave in various situations around strange people and other animals. You’ll need to allow daily time for exercise, plus meet their grooming, feeding and cleanup needs. Plan for one to two hours a day to care for your canine companion.

A pet is a part of the family and a lifelong commitment, so ask yourself the following questions before adopting.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Adopting a Pet

Mia is a health and wellness writer and the Editor In Chief at Body + Mind. She specifically enjoys writing about women’s fitness, as well as mental health-related topics. When she’s not writing, Mia can usually be found reading poetry, taking a dance or cardio class, or hiking.

• How much affection do you want? You may want something extra cuddly or simply another companion in your living space.

• How much time do you have? Different animals have lengthier care requirements.

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• Do you have sufficient means to afford their care? Surrenders often happen due to economic hardship.

• Do you have size considerations? Many apartments and condo associations have strict rules on pets and breed size.

Research shows pets have a beneficial effect on mental health. Adopting a furry friend can help ease the symptoms of your mental health troubles — alongside your prescribed treatment if you have one. There are many other wonderful pet options out there besides dogs and cats, and most of them tend to involve far less responsibility than dogs and cats do. So take the time to do your research on what’s out there, and if you’re interested in a cat or dog, consider these personality tips to determine which pet will be best for your mental health. Next, you can hit the shelter and bring home your new friend! afm

• Are there children in the home? You might feel uncomfortable with a large breed around your toddlers.

n Dogs aren’t the only options when it comes to animal-assisted therapy; these gentle giants are worth the ride, too.

AUTHOR Kati Epps

Research into equine-assisted therapy dates back to the late 1800s when Florence Nightingale reported using companion animals as a form of therapy to boost the emotional well-being of a confined person. Even before Nightingale’s documentation, there are accounts of horses providing physical and emotional benefits as far back as 5 B.C., according to The Canadian Veterinary Journal. The use of animalassisted therapy after the wars of the 20th century has proved beneficial for PTSD, anxiety, limb loss and addiction recovery.

WALKING WITH HORSES

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he healing power of animals is evident to anyone who has snuggled up with their pup after a breakup or cuddled their kitty when they were feeling lonely. Research has proven that the unconditional love of animals is stress-reducing and has positive well-being effects. In addition to the conventional dog or cat, horses have also been found to be incredible healers, and not just for people’s emotional well-being. Horses are used in many forms of therapy — physical, occupational, social-emotional and even recovery from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

WELLNESS

So what happens during an equine therapy session? Well, the experience is different for everyone, but there are some consistencies that make this unique form of therapy so successful. First, patients are brought in to work with specially trained horses. Patients learn to care for the horse and earn the horse’s trust while also learning to trust the horse themselves. Additionally, in a team environment, there is an opportunity to socialize. Being able to follow directions and be coachable as well as growing conviction in sharing ideas promotes self-confidence.

When appropriate, a patient may learn to lead or ride a horse. If the patient cannot physically straddle the horse, a horse and buggy option may be provided. Learning balance leads to improved spatial awareness. This helps with improving physical endurance, strength and ultimately confidence.

If you think equine-assisted therapy is something that would be beneficial to you or someone you know, reach out to your caregiver and see how you can incorporate equine therapy! Then, feel the benefits of getting to know and care for your new horse friend! afm

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It’s common knowledge that mental health has become an important topic over the last few years, especially as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the residual trauma from quarantine has brought to light the need for more options for different forms of therapy. With the increase in mental health issues after the pandemic, new options for social-emotional therapy are expanding. According to a blog post from Equine Facility Design, there has been an increase in demand for equine-assisted therapy in the last two years to help with COVID fatigue, loss, grief, isolation and COVID anxiety.

Coach Kati Epps is the founder of MyBody GX with a background in chemistry from Colorado State University, an ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach and nutrition specialist.

Overall, caring for animals has proven to reduce stress and be mood-boosting. People with pets have healthier cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and lower triglycerides. When you own or visit horses, more time is spent outside providing you with fresh air and vitamin D. When you add in the riding aspect along with the care of the horses, you can participate in a great form of exercise. Riding, grooming, cleaning stalls and feeding horses also enhances physical endurance.Austinand its surrounding areas have facilities offering equine-assisted therapy, including places like The Wild Hope Equine Center for Healing, Cadence Therapy, PLLC and Healing with Horses Ranch. Working with doctors and therapists to find the right treatment, these facilities are giving their patients an incredible opportunity.

and occupational issues like amputation, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome and emotional/ behavioral difficulties.

Luckily, equine therapy for mental health is effective for many difficulties people face. Because it takes a team effort to care for horses, patients will learn how to care for the animal as well as ride it, which helps with concentration, self-confidence, empathy and selflessness.According to a medically reviewed article, caring for horses can help treat behavioral problems, relationship issues, grief, anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, addiction and eating disorders. Therapeutic riding programs can help treat physical

Without further ado, here are some of the top ways cats help with our mental health.

A study on married couples found that cat owners fared much better in stressful situations than non-pet owners. The participants faced various challenges, some with and some without their partners. The cat owners had a lower resting heart rate at the start of the study and better

THE PURR-FECT PAL

Reducing Stress

WELLNESS

AUTHOR Kara Reynolds

ats can get a bad rap from people who are not familiar with them, but cat owners realize just how special they are. Our feline friends are fun to have around and make excellent companions. You may not even realize that cats benefit their owners’ mental health, just as much as dogs do. Science has found many links to having a feline companion and enjoying better mental health outcomes.

n Thinking of welcoming in a new furry friend?

Cats may have quirky personalities that entertain us, but science has shown that cats are also great at relieving stress.

Here are some mental health benefits of owning a cat.

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Cat owners also have improved overall well-being than non-pet owners. A survey was conducted in Australia to determine whether or not owning a cat positively impacts one’s quality of life. It concluded that cat owners had significantly greater psychological health than non-pet owners.

While you may think of dogs and horses as the top therapy animals, remember that cats are also great therapeutic partners for people going through mental illness or just tough times.

Cats are great companions, but they can also help you build better human relationships. Research finds that cat owners exhibit greater trust toward others, enjoy others more and are more socially sensitive. These are all important qualities when building relationships.Scientistshave also found that while cat owners tend to be more introverted than dog owners, cat owners are more sensitive and open-minded. Cats “fill our cup” with positive connections that give us the confidence to build outside relationships. Couples who own a cat are closer and interact more with one another than non-pet owners.

Cats for Mental Health

Kara Reynolds is the founder and editor-in-chief of Momish Magazine, an inclusive parenting magazine filled with parenting hacks, advice and more to keep your beautiful family thriving.

Cats can be great companions if you suffer from anxiety or depression, as they can be easier to talk to and bond with than others. Some cats are even registered therapy animals. The feeling of stroking a cat and hearing it purr is very relaxing and can promote happiness and healing in patients.

Building Relationships

It’s believed that cats are great stress reducers because they don’t judge and are always there for their owners to care for and play with.

cardiovascular and respiratory rates during stressful challenges than the non-pet-owners participating. Research also finds that college students from Washington State University who petted cats for just 10 minutes had decreased stress hormones in their saliva.

Cat owners have an overall advantage in mental health, thanks to the feline friends they’ve bonded with. Cats are emotionally intuitive, active and make great companions. These features can promote confidence and positive emotions in their owners. Did you think they could get any better? afm

with your cat is also vital for their health. According to an article by a VMD, exercising helps cats manage their weight and stay mentally stimulated. Cats also indirectly increase your activity level by increasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin, which can make you feel better and help you take on tasks you may have previously felt like not doing.

Increasing Personal Well-Being

Although they are primarily indoor pets, cats can also increase your activity level, according to a study conducted in Singapore. Having a cat means you have to get up to give them food, clean out their litter box and offer plenty of time for playing. This gets your body moving more throughout theExercisingday.

One study found that domestic cats can read facial expressions and sometimes respond accordingly, fulfilling an owner’s emotional needs. In another study, children who adopted cats in their tween or early teen years had a better quality of life than those who didn’t. They felt happier and more fulfilled than their counterparts.

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Encouraging Activity

Healing From Hard Times

You might be able to guess that the strongest mammal is the elephant, which can carry up to 7 tons of weight. Though elephants are massively powerful, they’re quite docile and exhibit complex and unique characteristics. The elephant is one of the smartest animals on the planet. It is one of the few species that exhibit actual

You may be surprised to learn that the animal that holds this title is the whale! They may not be able to lift a large object over their heads, but whales use an enormous amount of force to power their massive bodies through the water. This movement is facilitated by two large muscle groups near their tail: the epaxial muscles for the upstroke and the hypaxial muscles for the downstroke. Did you know that not only are whales the largest creatures but also the loudest? Blue whales have been recorded at volumes greater than 180 decibels.

Strongest Mammal

ou’ve heard of the gorilla being the “king of the jungle,” but is that title wellearned? When it comes to the animal kingdom, just which ones are strongest? That may depend on how you define strength. Let’s look at the surprising strength of creatures both great and small.

self-awareness and self-recognition. Elephants can learn and remember details, and they show emotions such as when mourning the dead. You’ve heard that elephants never forget… Of all land mammals, elephants possess the largest brains. They can recall distant watering holes, other elephants and humans they have encountered, even after the passage of many years.

For the strongest insect, you may guess the ant, Theytimeswhichisstrongestsize.relativegreatcertainlywhichexhibitsstrengthtoitsHowever,theinsectthedungbeetle,canmove1,141itsownweight.typicallygrowto be up to 1-inch long and weigh less than an ounce. Dung beetles use their super strength to roll enormous balls of dung

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THE FITTEST ANIMALS

Strongest Insect

n When it comes to strength and fitness, which animals come out on top in the animal kingdom?

The Strongest Creature on the Planet

AUTHOR Whitney Otstott

The harpy eagle claims the title of strongest bird. The amazingly powerful harpy eagle weighs about 11 pounds, yet it can carry away prey that weighs up to 35 pounds. From wing tip to wing tip, they are longer than many full-grown humans are tall, and their rear talons are about 3 to 4 inches long — the same size as a grizzly bear’s claws! Fun fact: Harpy eagles practice “family planning.” Aside from the fact that harpy eagles are monogamous, they don’t mate until their offspring is independent. As a result, they can only lay eggs every two or three years.

When it comes to the depths of the ocean, the strongest fish in the sea is the goliath grouper. Growing

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to up to 9 feet long, the largest recorded size of one of these massive fish is 800 pounds — that’s about the weight of a female moose! Goliath groupers eat just about anything in the ocean and are big and strong enough to even eat sharks. Goliath groupers have attacked octopuses, sea turtles, barracudas and even human divers. They are susceptible to overfishing, due to declines in juvenile habitats and a tendency to gather in high numbers at predictable locations during spawning events. Goliath groupers are long-lived, with a maximum known age to be at least 37 years old.

Strongest Bird

But what about the king of the jungle? While gorillas may not have earned the title of strongest, they are still quite strong. Gorillas are the world’s largest living primate species, weighing in at a maximum of 860 pounds. According to the Guinness World Records, the most weight a gorilla is on record lifting is 1,800 pounds! Some hypotheses have suggested that gorillas can lift up to 10 times their body weight. To put that into perspective, the average American male can lift 0.87 times his body weight. Interestingly, gorillas are primarily vegetarians, eating mostly plants, vegetables, fruits and a few small insects. However, their need for up to 40 pounds of food per day requires the constant gathering and consumption of roots, fruits, branches and other plant life.

Whitney Otstott is the owner of GirlPower Fitness, a private fitness studio in southwest Austin that’s just for women. Whitney has been in the fitness industry for more than 25 years, teaching numerous group fitness formats and offering personal training in a way that helps women get stronger and healthier in a nurturing and empowering environment. Learn more at https:// girlpoweraustin.com/.

Honorable Mention

Strongest Fish

back to their homes, but they also utilize their strength to defend themselves against thieves and impress females during mating periods. There are four different groups of dung beetle; the “dwellers” that remain inside the pile of dung, the “tunnellers” that bury dung directly beneath the pile of dung, and the “rollers” that roll balls and take the dung away to be eaten or buried elsewhere.

The animal kingdom provides us with much inspiration to stay strong. While we typically aren’t fighting for our survival in the jungle or rolling a ball of dung up a hill, we can still strive to maximize our strength and be the best versions of our human selves. afm

pieces of equipment in the gym. East Austin Athletic Club offers different types of memberships at different price points so you can pick the best for your schedule and fitness desires. Best of all, they welcome your pup. While the trainer’s dogs can roam the club, your dogs can roam around the on-site dog park. You can contact East Austin Athletic Club to schedule a class with a trainer on their website; make sure to bring your pup!

East Austin Athletic Club is an innovative and fun workout club with a diverse array of classes and experienced trainers. They’re located on East Cesar Chavez Street and provide scheduled classes throughout the day. The club offers yoga, kickboxing and barbell strength classes as some of their typical classes; in terms of their specialty classes, they have Ignite, Physique and Ascend. These unique classes combine unique styles of workouts with various

AUTHOR Caitlyn Meisner

n These five pet-friendly facilities in Austin aren’t only welcoming to your fitness goals but to your dog’s as well!

ven though owning a pet provides many health benefits, and having them as an active animal companion can be just the motivator you need, it can still be tough to find a place in the city that accommodates pets. Thankfully, Austin has plenty of gyms that are welcoming to pets — mainly dogs — where you can both enjoy some socialization and exercise.

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East Austin Athletic Club

FITNESS

THE GYM MASCOT

Crux Climbing Center is a unique and inclusive workout facility with rope climbing, bouldering and rock climbing equipment. According to the Crux website, Crux’s mission is to create a space where climbers based in Austin can not only hone their climbing skills but also grow as a community. The facility offers both group classes and private yoga and climbing lessons; they also provide an array of strengthening and conditioning classes to choose from throughout the day. Crux offers multiple rates at their locations, whether you want to pay month-to-month or in full for a whole year. You can also purchase day passes if you’re looking to try out the facility. Crux

is designed to be a communitybuilding space with areas to lounge and bring your furry friends! The facility welcomes dogs and has a dedicated “Doggy Dos and Don’ts” page on the website to keep all guests and dogs safe. Several other perks — besides a dogfriendly facility — are available to members! These include free use of the saunas, unlimited yoga and fitness classes, monthly member appreciation nights, and access to all locations at no additional cost. Crux is building a new facility in North Austin; you can stay updated through the location’s Instagram page. You can contact the Crux Climbing Center through their website to explore their facility and get climbing with your pup!

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Crux Climbing Center

Heavy Mettle Fitness

TruFusion

also purchase “class packs,” where you can buy five or 10 reservations in any classes of your choice within a 6-month period! And the best amenity — staff are always bringing their dogs in! Members with service dogs are welcome to bring their pups as well.

TruFusion is a vibrant gym in South Austin with a wide range of classes, including Bootcamp, Ride, Barre and Yoga. TruFusion is dedicated to giving their TruTribe the tools to transform their body and mind with heated and unheated rooms for resultsdriven group workouts. There are several amenities included at TruFusion facilities, including a locker room, a retail area and a community with good vibes. Memberships range from monthly to 6 months to 12 months. You can

n FITNESS SEPTEMBER 2022 60

Exercising with your pup by your side is one of the best ways to get moving and build a better bond with your furry friend. Stay fit this fall with these pet-friendly facilities. afm

Stateline Gym

Heavy Mettle Fitness is a personal training facility with customized programs, nutrition coaching, transformation guides and a private training area. Matt Ryan is the owner and lead trainer; he began training because he felt inspired to help others find their passion for fitness and healthy living as he did. Heavy Mettle Fitness is dedicated to working closely with clients to “create successful and sustainable lifestyle transformations (...) and learn the necessities of healthy eating and routines.” The facility is also petfriendly! You’re allowed to bring your pup with you as you train here. The facility is located on Burnet Road, and you can contact the team directly on their website to get started with personal training.

Stateline Gym is a strength training facility that features powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting in Southeast Austin. There is a diverse array of equipment offered at the facility, including dumbbells, bench presses, squat machines and powerlifting platforms. Stateline is garage-style with 24/7 access for members. Every membership is the same but can be paid for in different ways, such as monthly or every three, six or 12 months. There are many pictures on Stateline’s website of the facility; you can take a better look at the space and their equipment there! The best part is that Stateline is dog-friendly! You can see some of the dogs in the gym on their Instagram page. To get started with Stateline, you can contact the gym’s owner, Tom, directly by phone, Instagram or email!

You can check out more info about Clef here: adopt/dogs/apa-a-69440!https://www.austinpetsalive.org/

AUSTIN FIT MAGAZINE61 PET OF THE MONTH

FEATURED PET… CLEF!

SPONSORED BY AUSTIN PETS ALIVE! APAOFCOURTESYPHOTOS Want to know moreClef?about Visit austinpetsalive.orgtoday!

Meet Clef, this month’s featured pet from Austin Pets Alive!

Clef is currently in need of an active adopter. He is one of the most active and fun dogs available for adoption at APA. He is 3½ years old, has been living with a foster family and is a master fetcher. He also loves to cool off by the pool and might be up for a hike or paddleboarding if you ask him! Clef is a loyal pup, and he’s ready to be adopted today!

CHECK OUT THIS MONTH’S

FEATURED Pet

FITNESS

SEPTEMBER 2022 62

AUTHOR Monica Brant

KICK MO’S BUTT Wade’sWaves

moves the females would need to do while on the team. I ended up being invited to attend the ski team training camp that was to be held at Medina Lake.

Upon arrival and parking the car, I walked across the street to Walsh Landing and found the beautiful Mastercraft X24 surf boat complete with certified U.S.C.G. Captain Wade and his first mate, Taylor.

It was a labor of love for my parents to share this lifestyle with us. Though it was an expensive hobby, it was so worth the time and energy looking back.

I recall hundreds of late nights when Dad drove the boat to the launch site, and my brother and I were sleeping, listening to the water lapping on the sides of the boat while it slowly motored along the quiet night waters. It was a way of life for our family.

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Wade began explaining the time we’d spend together, sharing that I’d be wake surfing. Honestly, at first, I was disappointed because I was excited to ski again. However, I had no idea that wake surfing was so much fun!

I learned that Wade Mitchell grew up on Lake Austin doing water sports. For years, he’s taught many of his friends to wake surf, sharing his passion for the sport. It’s evident there’s nothing Wade loves more than being on the water, and his enthusiasm is contagious. He is a patient and safetyconscious instructor who loves teaching a beginner the basics of wake surfing.

We motored out and when they came to the perfect spot, Wade jumped in to demonstrate wake surfing and my stomach turned slightly as I questioned if I’d be

Sadly, prior to training camp, the camp moved to Florida. That was the last chance I had to try out due to graduation and moving forward in life. That was in 1986…

While I was in high school, I had an opportunity to try out for the Sea World Ski Team in San Antonio. Because of my years of skiing and watching the team perform, I was able to handle the trick ski and pull off some of the

s the phrase “lake rat” still viable in today’s lake language? I don’t have too many “lake” friends anymore and am not sure what the modern terms are for people who live and breathe lake days.Summer of 1978 at age 7, my parents taught me to water ski. I remember my short pair of kid skis and the little red life jacket that read “peewee” size, complete with leg straps so it wouldn’t go over my head while in the water.

Fast forward to 2022, we decided that summer in Austin means KMB could not be complete without a lake day. Wade’s Waves was the perfect fit, and I had visions of getting back on a ski. However, little did I know we would be wake surfing instead!

n This month’s edition of Kick Mo’s Butt features Monica Brant as she tries out wake surfing with Wade’s Waves.

As a family, we visited Medina Lake multiple times a month, but my dad made sure we saw other lakes from time to time and even took us Sometimes,camping.my older brother and I could bring friends, but it was mostly just our immediate family. We were probably on a lake two to three weekends a month during any warm time of the year.

As for getting my butt kicked, I can’t say I was sore anywhere. However, my body was tired, and my brain was completely satisfied learning this new skill.

If you have not tried wake surfing yet, I highly recommend you contact Wade and get on his schedule, especially if you live in Austin. Be sure to tell them Mo sentUntilya! next month, stay fit and love life! afm

I’m happy to share that on my second try, thanks to the detailed coaching and instruction of Wade, I stood up and surfed! Once I stood up on the board, I made a conscious effort to stay up and slowly transition to the smooth water area behind the boat, tossing my rope to Wade per his instruction.

Monica Brant | IFBB Fitness Olympia & International Fitness Cover Model

Official site: www.monicabrant.com (currently under construction)/www.themonicabrantshow.com

To contact Monica Brant, find her on the following social media platforms: FB: @MonicaBrantFanPage | IG: @OfficialMonicaBrant

n FITNESS SEPTEMBER 2022 64

able to stand up. I’ve always been able to get up on skis, and I wasn’t ready to fail.

One thing that was both unexpected and welcomed was unlike skiing where the upper body gets completely taxed, wake surfing works primarily legs and core while the upper body remains more relaxed.

For any of you Austinites looking

Wade and Taylor made this workout special with cheering and encouragement. I felt right at home and thoroughly enjoyed learning my newfound lake skill. Next time I find myself behind a surf boat, I’ll know exactly what to do.

for new adventures, or maybe you have friends/family coming to visit, be sure to check out www.wadeswaves.com for details on their group sessions, designed for all skill levels. Lessons include all equipment needed with availability from sunup to sundown, weather permitting. Also, friends, partygoers, lovers — anyone and everyone can book a relaxing cruise on Lake Austin with Captain Wade. Guests are encouraged to pack cheese boards, snacks and beverages to enjoy while admiring the beautiful Texas sunsets in style. And if you’re searching for lakefront property, Wade’s Waves welcomes real estate searches with local agents.

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 FROMHEARYOU! AFM is in search of regular expert contributors for our monthly issue. If interested, please contact editorial@austinfitmagazine.com to further collaborate.

Corner AMBASSADOR’S

hen’s the last time you took a moment (or two) to slow down? I used to practice yoga regularly throughout college because I enjoyed learning new skills and taking a break from the hustle and bustle of finals weeks.Now that I’m well out of college, it’s more of an “every so often” occurrence. This is counteractive to what we should focus on as we age! Did you know you lose about 25 to 30% of your flexibility by the age of 70? We become less mobile, hunch over our computers, work from home and generally just tend to move less the older we get. But it doesn’t have to be that way and yoga is something for anyone at any age that can bring so many benefits.

DHARMA

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n Check out this month’s Ambassador’s Corner with Sydney Torabi featuring Dharma Yoga.

AMBASSADOR’S

YOGASYDNEY’SWoundedNONPROFIT:CHOSENWarriorProject

AUTHOR Sydney Torabi

let’s talk a little bit more about Keith because his resume is incredibly impressive and I had the opportunity to take one of his classes. He’s taught meditation and yoga nationally and internationally for over 25 years. From 1998 to 2005, he even traveled to New York and was a senior instructor for the Lineage Project, which is a Buddhist nonprofit that offers meditation and yoga asana to New York City prisons.

Maybe you’re reading this, and you’ve already had the opportunity to experience Dharma Yoga but it’s been a while — take this as a sign to go back and try another class. Maybe you’re reading this and are already Dharma Yoga’s number one fan. In that case, keep spreading the word and encourage a friend to join you nextYogatime!has something for everyone, and Dharma Yoga is the perfect place to experience that. When you do, make sure to share your experiences on social media and with your friends because that support goes a long way for our small local businesses! afm

classes range from vigorous vinyasa flows to relaxing end-of-day gentle Hatha nightcaps to allow their students to expand their yoga repertoire and continuous flow through all stages of Now,life.

But before we dive in, this Ambassador’s Corner is supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit that helps veterans and service members transition into their civilian lives. Whether they have sustained physical injuries while on duty or have developed severe depression or PTSD, the Wounded Warrior Project aims to help as many veterans and service members as they can. Learn more about them and how you can help by beKachtick,foundedaroundwoundedwarriorproject.org.visitingNow,let’sgettotherecap!DharmaYogahasbeensince2005andwasbyAustiniteKeithwhoalsohappenstoaTexasLonghornalumni!The

If you need a yoga class that’s completely different from what you’re used to or you’re like me and need a bit more relaxation to slow things down and balance out your current workout routine, I’d highly recommend a class at Dharma Yoga. Not only are you experiencing someone’s yoga style, but you’re also helping support a local business that has been around for almost 20 years!

on. He worked in core work that also included class participation. And overall, the music style and way he flowed through each section were exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s been practicing for 25 years — fantastic.

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As I mentioned, they offer so many different styles of classes that range from more upbeat and sweatinducing to completely soothing and everywhere in between to show off their unique talents and backgrounds while giving you the variety that is so beneficial when it comes to your workout routine.

Out of the many memorable moments from Keith’s class, a few stuck out to me in particular that I’d like to share. First, he’s extremely charismatic and makes everyone feel so welcome. No matter if you were a student of his for years or it was just your first class, he made you feel welcomed and truly allowed everyone in the class just to let go and enjoy the moment. Second, the class style was truly one of a kind. Out of all the yoga classes I’ve been to — and let me just say, it’s been quite a few — this was, by far, the most out of the box and extremely unique. If you’ve ever done any standard vinyasa class, you’ll know there is a specific flow the teacher will take you through and then repeat that or variations of it for most of the class. Although his class was technically a vinyasa, it wasn’t like any other class I had been a part of. He tailored the class to fit the needs of the attendees, asking all of us what area of the body or specific poses we wanted to focus

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Want to be a yogi but you still gotta pay the bills? On this year’s Labor Day, Austin is hosting their free day of yoga in which multiple yoga studios across Austin will be offering free yoga classes to all. The goal of this day is to provide the opportunity for people to try yoga for the first time, try out a new yoga style, meet a new instructor and ultimately, experience the benefits of yoga. Check out the participating locations online.

SEPTEMBER 13

HAAM Day

EVERY THURSDAY THRU SUNDAY

CALENDAR Events

This year, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will be hosting their Field of Light event, which is a display of 28,000 stemmed spheres lit by solarpowered fiber-optics. Bruce Munro, the artist behind this light installation display, was first inspired by his study of natural light and passion for shared human experiences. You can purchase tickets on their website.

SEPTEMBER 2022 Submit your event online at austinfitmagazine.com

Austin Free Day of Yoga

HAAM DAY Austin, TX SEPTEMBER 13 DAYHAAMOFCOURTESY

HAAM Day is back this year for the first time since 2019! Hosted by the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, HAAM Day will feature hundreds of local performers at venues in the area including Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds will go toward supporting local musicians. You can find more information on their website.

SEPTEMBER 5

Field of Light

SEPTEMBER 17-18

The Texas Tribune Festival

SEPTEMBER 18

This festival we’ve all been waiting for is back again! The Texas Tribune Festival is a 3-day event celebrating ideas about politics, public policy and current events. There will be over 300 well-known speakers and over 100 panel discussions. The event will be held in downtown Austin and tickets are purchasable on their website.

Blended Festival

Over the course of eight days, Austinites and others will have the opportunity to attend Fantastic Fest, a local film festival that features various film premieres. The festival will be held off of South Lamar at multiple undisclosed locations. Badges range from $175 to $1,495, and you can purchase them online.

SEPTEMBER 22-29

Austin Museum Day

They had their Spring Pecan Fest in May; now get ready for their Fall Pecan Street Festival this September!

SEPTEMBER 24-25

Fall Pecan Street Festival

AUSTIN FIT MAGAZINE69 NORTH SHORE OF TOWN LAKE ON HIKE & BIKE TRAIL BEHIND AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL www.texasrowingcenter.com 512.467.7799 •Intro-to-Rowing Program (6 classes) •Unlimited Rowing, Kayaking, Canoeing •Unlimited Stand Up Paddling •Gift Certificates Available •Experienced Coxswains row FREE! SPECIALS 6 Months for $399 OR 12 Months for $599 info@texasrowingcenter.com Download AFM’s brand new app for exclusive content on all things health, wellness, fitness and Austin. APPEXCLUSIVECONTENT! APP EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE TASTES GOOD 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM EXPERIENCE TASTES GOOD 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM EXPERIENC 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM EX D 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM EXPERIE 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM EX TAS 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM EXPERIENCE TASTES GOOD 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COMEXPERIENCE TAS 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COMEXPERIENCE TASTES G 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COMEXPERIENCE TASTES GOOD 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM ø 512-771-2220 ø ø CATERING@MAUDIES.COM ø ø WWW.MAUDIES.COM ø EXPERIENCE TASTES GOOD 512-771-2220 CATERING@MAUDIES.COM WWW.MAUDIES.COM

This festival is one of the largest and longest-running arts, craft and music festivals in the country. The event is free and open to the public, and more information can be found online.

Want to indulge in some culture but everything in the city is too expensive? Save the date for Austin Museum Day — one day of the year where multiple museums in the Austin area offer free admission in celebration of art, culture, history, music nature, science and play! You can check out which museums will be participating on their website.

Fantastic Festl

SEPTEMBER 22-24

This year’s wine and music Blended Festival will take place at Circuit of the Americas, so get your glasses and ears ready! This festival will be held over two days, Saturday the 24th from 2 to 11 p.m. and Sunday the 25th from 1 to 10 p.m. Well-known artists like The Chainsmokers and G-Eazy will be performing, and tickets can be purchased on their website.

SEPTEMBER 2022 Submit your event online at austinfitmagazine.com ZILKER RELAYS SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 3 Six-O Trail Run Cleburne, SEPTEMBERTX 3 Beneeezy Purple Monkey Fun Run Alvin, TX Austin, TX SEPTEMBER 9 SEPTEMBER 3 El Grito Run 5K San Antonio, SEPTEMBERTX5 Labor Day 5K Fort Worth, TX SEPTEMBER 9 Zilker Relays Austin, SEPTEMBERTX 9 37th Annual Zoo Run Relay San Antonio, TX RELAYSZILKEROFCOURTESY

Rides & Races

SEPTEMBER 2022 70

CALENDAR

9th Annual Head for the Cure 5K San Antonio, SEPTEMBERTX24

Shrimp Scamper 5K Fun Run Galveston, SEPTEMBERTX 24

Night Nation Runn Houston, SEPTEMBERTX 24-25

Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & 1K Plano, TX

ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk San Antonio, SEPTEMBERTX24

22nd Annual Freedom Run Dallas, SEPTEMBERTX 17

SEPTEMBER 18

The Runfield Texas Race Series 10 Miler Buda, SEPTEMBERTX 10

Rahr & Sons Oktoberfest 5K Fort Worth, SEPTEMBERTX18

Run For Aortic Health Fort Worth, TX

9/11 Heroes Run Houston, SEPTEMBERTX 10

*Dates and times are subject to changes or cancellation. Check event websites for more information. Street, Austin, TX

PADDLEBOARDSROWINGKAYAKSGUIDEDTOURS info@austinrowing.orgaustinrowing.org 74 Trinity

11th Annual Loteria Run San Antonio, SEPTEMBERTX17

Oktoberfest Run Und Ride Fort Worth, SEPTEMBERTX24

Mellow Race Trail Spicewood, SEPTEMBERTX10

AUSTIN FIT MAGAZINE71

Tour Des Fleurs Dallas, SEPTEMBERTX 17

Casa Superhero Run Austin, SEPTEMBERTX 18

78701 FINDESCAPEYOUR ROWING• PADDLE BOARDS • KAYAKS

Toughest 10K Kemah Kemah, SEPTEMBERTX 18

Galveston Sand Crab 5/10K/ Kid’s Beach Mile Galveston, SEPTEMBERTX 10

SEPTEMBER 9-10

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

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I N T R O D U C I N G

Austin Fit Magazine September 2022: The Furry Friends Issue

Articles inside

Ambassador's Corner: Dharma Yoga

Kick Mo's Butt: Wade's Waves

Featured Pet: Clef

The Gym Mascot

The Fittest Animals

The Purr-Fect Pal

Walking With Horses

Your Paw Personality

Safe in Austin: A Sanctuary of Superpowers

Healthcare Heroes: Pet Therapy

Hook 'Em Horses

Get Wild in Texas

Finding Feral Sanctuary at Street Cat Rescue

Stop Horsin' Around, Find a Stable!

Home and Healing at Austin Farm Sanctuary

Feeding Texas: Alternative Pets

A Year as a Raw Vegan

Happy Hens, Healthy Eggs

Recipe of the Month: Savory Zucchini Breakfast Waffles