On March 5, Auburn Women in Law collaborated with the CARE Humane Society for an evening of puppy yoga at Be Yoga. Participants were able to partake in a one-hour class of yoga while enjoying the energy and rambunctiousness of the puppies from 6 to 7 p.m.
The Auburn Women in Law club is a student-run organization made up of undergraduate women looking to build a community based on an interest in legal professions. The goal of the group is to serve and empower women, but also provide academic and personal support to them through bi-monthly business meetings, monthly study sessions and social events.
The CARE Humane Society is a local no-kill animal shelter that takes in stray dogs and cats from the surrounding Lee County areas. No kill means they do not euthanize the animals unless it is for health or behavior reasons. They work hard to advance humane treatment and create responsible ownership for all their animals.
Be Yoga is a local yoga studio that collaborates with CARE Humane Society about three to five times a year. They have not only done puppy yoga but have organized cat, kitten and big dog yoga, making it possible for there to be a class for all types of animal lovers in the past. Be Yoga has given over 50% of its proceeds for these events back to the Humane Society.
“Because we love the puppies and the people love the puppies. It [also] introduces them to yoga,” said Donna Kell, owner of Be Yoga, about why she put on the event.
Tickets cost $30 with 70% of each sale going to CARE. This funding helps cover food and medical care for the animals.
“I could not figure out what a good fundraiser would be because we are doing a big philanthropy event for Hope Dealers Prison Reform and [then] I was like puppy yoga,” said Preston Heritage, director of philanthropy for Women in Law.
The event was originally supposed to be held on Saturday, Feb. 28 with a litter of puppies. It ended up canceling due to an outbreak of parvo. Parvo is a highly contagious, and often fatal, virus that attacks predominantly the immune systems of young, unvaccinated puppies.
As of today, they are recovering and doing well, according to Director of Development for CARE Jenny Warren.
At 6 p.m., Kell started the class. The room was warm and dark with only small lights along the wall and a couple lamps in a corner turned on. Then, the animated puppies were released into the room where all preconceptions of peace and quiet broke.
The energy was contagious as they ran throughout the room, chasing each other between the set-up yoga mats and weaving under the participants as they moved into different stretches from downward dog to standing forward fold.
Many of the women were constantly picking up their phones to snap a quick photo or take a video as they tumbled around. Other women were trapped while a puppy, or two, decided to lay across their legs and backs before quickly hopping up and running off.
Puppies tumble around Membership Director Neila Stone for Auburn Women in Law during puppy yoga at Be Yoga in collaboration with Auburn Women in Law and CARE Humane Society, March 5, 2026 in Auburn, Ala.
“I think definitely towards the end, when we got to lay down and just have the puppies come and smell around was great,” said Natalie Viteri, Philanthropic initiatives coordinator for Women in Law. “It definitely did relieve some stress for all of us... a nice break from school today.”
Puppy yoga is known for creating a stress-free environment by combining beginner-friendly yoga with the energy and mood-boosting effects that come from interacting with the animals.
Nearing the end of the class the women were all asked to lie on their backs, breathe and relax.
“I think just being around dogs and moving your body in a mindful way definitely releases some serotonin, [but] my mind was definitely occupied,” said Membership Director of Women of Law Neila Stone. “It was hard to relax, but it still put me in a good mood, and I felt like I was ready to conquer the rest of this week.”
Women in Law expects this to become a reoccurring event at least once a semester to continue building their community and bringing attention to their club.
As the night wrapped up, the women enjoyed a relaxing moment holding the adorable puppies, laughing at their mischief and taking pictures with each other before heading home.
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