Good Neighbor Podcast: Delco

Jen Rodgers' Zoomies K9 Fitness is Revolutionizing Dog Exercise

Bob Blaisse

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Jen Rodgers' Zoomies K9 Fitness is Revolutionizing Dog Exercise

This episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast makes it known that the fitness revolution has finally reached our four-legged friends with an innovative solution for dog parents struggling to keep their pet active. When Jen Rodgers founded Zoomies K9 Fitness, she identified a critical gap in pet care – how to maintain a dog's physical and mental well-being when circumstances make traditional dog-walking challenging or insufficient.

Hear Jen share with host Bob Blaisse how she brings her K9 gym directly to the doorstep of her canine clients with her climate-controlled mobile fitness studio. The centerpiece of her service is a specialized Slat Mill, a non-motorized treadmill designed specifically for dogs that allows them to control their own pace. This breakthrough approach provides reliable exercise regardless of weather extremes, neighborhood safety concerns, or owner mobility limitations – particularly beneficial for elderly pet owners who can't physically walk their companions but understand the importance of regular exercise.

In this episode, you'll learn about Jen Rogers' holistic approach to canine wellness, which is based in her home office in Phoenixville, PA, and serves dog owners in the suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia, including Delaware County (Delco) and Chester County. Her holistic approach goes beyond simply burning energy; regular sessions help reduce anxiety, destructive behaviors and excess weight while building confidence in insecure dogs. Jen's  Zoomies K9 Fitness sessions include the popular "Stroll and Roll" package, which combines outdoor exploration on walks around the dog's own neighborhood with led exercise for complete physical and mental stimulation, like a gym membership for your dog - but one that delivers consistent results regardless of external circumstances. You'll also hear about the flexible programs designed to introduce dogs gradually to this new experience for transformative pet health. 

 Zoomies K9 Fitness
ZoomiesK9Fitness.com
610-618-6701
facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562274394962

--- About The Show--- Good Neighbor Podcast is a spotlight on local businesses in and around Delaware County, PA (“Delco” ) and Beyond...  The executive producer and host, Bob Blaisse, is a community sponsorship advocate, business branding specialist, and publisher of several hometown magazines, including: Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors, Marple Friends & Neighbors and Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors, mailed monthly to more than 12,000 homes in Western Delaware County, PA, and also available for reading online.
 

Welcome to Good Neighbor Podcast Delco

Speaker 1

Hello, delco. This is Michael Barkan, welcoming you to the Good Neighbor Podcast, where fans of local businesses and their neighbors come together. It's my pleasure once again to introduce my friend and neighbor, our host Bob Lacey.

Speaker 2

Thank you, michael Barkan, for that introduction and everybody, welcome again to another episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast. We call it Good Neighbor Podcast Delco, Delco and Beyond, because we're coming from Delaware County, pennsylvania that's the shortened form, that's the term everybody around here uses, but even not just around here, but starting to be all over Pennsylvania and the tri-state area of Pennsylvania. We're located right here in Delaware County, pennsylvania, which is the southeast corner of Pennsylvania, just above the state of Delaware and just west of the state of New Jersey, across the Delaware River and, of course, just south of the city of Philadelphia, delaware County, pennsylvania, lovingly referred to as Delco. So everybody, welcome again to another episode of the Good Neighbor podcast.

Introducing Zoomies Canine Fitness

Speaker 2

We're bringing to you good neighbor businesses in our community new businesses, old businesses, businesses that everybody loves or they're going to love, because when they find out about this business through the Good Neighbor podcast, they're often different businesses and really ones that you should know about, and this time it's finally back. We're able to bring one out for the pet lovers of the world. Tonight we're going to be talking about a new business and I think it might be one of the first of its kind. It's a business that helps dogs get into better shape. So to tell us all about it, let me bring to the stage and welcome the founder and the owner of Zoomies Canine Fitness, and that is Jen Rogers. Jen, welcome to the program.

Speaker 3

Hi, bob, so happy to be here. Thanks for having me.

Speaker 2

Sure, jen, how could we not? When your business was nominated to be a guest on the Good Neighbor podcast, I had to take a second look at the portfolio, because it was called you know, zoomies and anybody here Zoomies they kind of think of a dog running around. Zoomies canine gave it away. But Zoomies canine fitness what could that be? I was imagining. Is this a dog walking service? I'm going to keep your dog healthy, but it's more than that. You've actually developed a fitness program for dogs and you've gone beyond the dog walker stage. It's really for dogs that maybe even can't go outside to be able to stay fit. Tell us a little bit about what you do as a dog fitness trainer.

Speaker 3

Sure, sure so. Zoomies Canine Fitness is the first of its kind in our area. Mobile treadmill service for dogs.

Speaker 2

Treadmill service. You're talking about a dog on a treadmill. I've seen videos like that.

Speaker 3

Yes.

Speaker 2

So you actually bring like a portable treadmill, or do they have to come to your dog fitness studio?

Speaker 3

So no, I have a van it's a climate controlled like sprinter type van and I have the treadmill in the back and it's actually called a slat mill and it's designed specifically for dogs, so it's non-motorized. The dog makes it move as fast or as slow as they want to move it.

Speaker 2

Well, we have to start with a one-on-one on this right, because the slat mill is a term most of us have never heard. I had not heard it, but I get it. It's easy enough to picture. It's like a treadmill, but it's for a dog and now it's not motorized, so at that point it's dog power that's going to make it walk. Right, the dog's going to walk on this treadmill, but isn't that what dogs do generally for a walk? So help us get into the game a bit on why a dog trainer, dog fitness trainer, is necessary.

Speaker 3

So a few things that are beneficial about using Zoomies Canine Fitness is we provide a safe, climate controlled environment for your dog to get their extra energy out. If it's too hot, if it's too cold, maybe too wet or snowy, or if you just have a dog that, for whatever reason, doesn't do well on the leash, can't take it to the dog park and let them off the leash and let them run. It's a really great option for dogs that fall into one of those categories.

Speaker 2

Well, that's five categories, and you didn't even name the one that I was thinking of first. I don't really have time to walk my dog, or how about this? I can't walk, but I want my dog to be able to walk and I don't have somebody that will come and walk my dog. So this is better than kind of a pet sitter. This is almost like a. You don't need a pet sitter because you're sitting with your pet all the time, but you're noticing that your pet is sitting all the time putting on weight.

Speaker 2

We're talking about dogs overweight and I have heard recently that even across the United States is a kind of a pretty tough going for American dogs. They're overweight like a lot of Americans, and this is a way to kind of recognize it and say if I can't help my dog get in better shape, maybe Zoomies Canine Fitness can come to my house. Right, that's pretty cool right there. It's a mobile service that you're offering to be able to come to someone's home, you know, get to know the dog and then the dog probably looks forward to you coming right. I'm going to do some running here. You know, jen's here. Is that what happens with your clients?

Speaker 3

Yeah, the dogs that really take to it, and it typically might take a few sessions for a dog really to get the hang of it, but, yes, once they're fully invested in it, as soon as I pull up and open up the doors, you know the dog's jumping right on and ready to get clipped in and get going.

Speaker 2

Well, they're probably glad to get out of the house and get in a nice air-conditioned uh, van, and they probably know it's going to be like the fun sessions here and um, I wouldn't be surprised if, while they're walking on the treadmill, slat mill you called it um, you're probably making them feel good, you're talking to them or whatever. What. What's? What's the entertainment while they're walking there other than you being entertained by them walking on a treadmill?

Speaker 3

Just really good feedback and reward and being excited with them. And you know every dog's different but most of the time you know giving them a treat every now and then, but really just encouragement and just being excited with them.

Speaker 2

It's different, Jen. I have to say to the listeners, and if you're wondering, we're talking to the owner, the founder, of Zoomies Canine Fitness, Jen Rogers, and you can visit online. You can see Zoomies Canine Fitness at zoomiescaninefitnesscom and you can even talk to Jen. If you'd like to give her a call or text her, Her number is 610-618-6701. And she'll talk to you about Zooming's Canine Fitness and really more so about fitness of your pet. And I'm sure, Jen, everyone is asking you know what's the cost or even what's the phenomenon? I mean, is my dog going to get it? Is it worth doing this? Is this crazy? Because I could go take my dog for a walk.

Speaker 2

I'm thinking here that what's kind of happening and the reason your business is successful or successful in other parts of the country, is because people begin to see a change the more exercise that their dog has. I mean, we all know that runners thrive on those endorphins that come from running. We wonder how the heck, why are they doing that in the cold weather? Why are they out there again? There's that person running again. Well, see, they know something we don't know and they're feeling that endorphin rush and we would do it too, I guess, if we knew that rush.

Speaker 3

Did the dogs get that? They do. I mean, you know, just like us, incorporating like a regular workout routine into your dog's schedule benefits both their mind and their body. A slap mill can provide them an enjoyable and focused exercise session and it can also help with reducing unwanted behaviors, like if your dog's anxious or barks or chews or is just really hyper. You know, if they have a few extra pounds it's going to help with that, keeping their muscles and their joints flexible, and then it can build confidence and trust in some insecure dogs. So the Slapmelt by no means would replace your daily walks or your regular routines you have with your dogs. You can kind of think of it as a gym membership for your dog. It enhances your dog's life with enrichment. Your dog can exercise on the Slap Mouth 365 days a year, regardless of the temperature, rain or snow, and it's just. You know, like we like to go jump in the pool or, you know, run around the track or play basketball. It's just another fun thing for your dog to do.

Dog Fitness Pricing and Services

Speaker 2

It's a play date that comes to you and you know, when you mentioned that, you know it doesn't replace the walks. And you know when you mentioned that, um, you know it doesn't replace the walks, but you know, back to that, one category of person that might really benefit from the services, the person who can't get out to do the walks. Um, are you ever asked while you're, you know, showing up to do the slat mill with you with their dog? Do they? Do they ever say hey, by the way, jen, you know he or she loves to smell the grass and walk and smell other dogs.

Speaker 2

I mean, do you ever actually just take them out of the van and take them for a walk? Is that part of the service as well?

Speaker 3

It is, it is. I actually have a service specifically called the stroll and roll, so what that consists of is a 20 minute walk followed by a 20 minute zoom, because you know, getting out and walking around and smelling all the smells, you know that's how your dog gets the news of the neighborhood, so they really need that. So it's, it's a great combination and a lot of dogs and owners love it.

Speaker 2

Well, we've heard of dog sitting services, and so that makes a lot of sense, and we know that the dogs are more comfortable in their own homes, that somebody can come and walk them great when you're not home. But we also know that there's an awful lot of senior citizens that have dogs and they're not as agile as they just need to be to be able to be a good dog parent that's walking their dog regularly and as a result of that whether it's that or whether it's just other reasons the work, the job, the neighborhood, whatever, maybe even for city life, you know, where people don't want to go out and walk around the city at night or they don't want to come out. Certain ways, these kind of things could happen. But the real important thing that we're keeping in mind here, the base level importance of all of this, it sounds like, is good dog health, and that's both, you know, physical and mental that you're able to bring to dog owners. And it's a new business, sounds like it's something that you know we could do ourselves, but it wouldn't be the first time that you know we're we can cook this up, but we're going to order this food out and it couldn't. It wouldn't be the first time that you know.

Speaker 2

My own dog won't listen to me, so I've got him a trainer. Well, in a way, this is the trainer, except it's a fitness trainer. Jen Rogers, the owner of Zoomy's Canine Fitness, is here to help and she can be reached at 610-618-6701. And you can text that number as well if you'd like to text with Jen. She'll answer all your questions and the key is to be able to kind of know that it's a canine fitness service, right, jen?

Speaker 3

Yeah, basically, when you're going to the website, it's the letter K and the number nine.

Speaker 2

That's right, zoomiesk9, like the dog fitnesscom, you'll see Jen and you'll see the slat mill, the really treadmill that isn't powered by electricity, so you don't have to worry about one of those comedy movies with somebody falling off Dogs on walking moves the treadmill, but inside Jen's van, which is air conditioned and, most importantly, she comes to you for a 20 minute session or so and can even walk the dog for another 20 minutes. It sounds like Jen. What a wonderful service. I have to ask is it, is it within the budget of people who need this service? I mean, they know that they need help. Is it expensive? Is it, is it inexpensive? Do you get a discount? If you do it more often, you don't necessarily have to talk about the pricing, because I'm sure it's, there's different packages, but is it within the budget of most people?

Speaker 3

I think so. I think so. Yeah, I definitely want to make it accessible to people when I'm out doing demos at different events. It's going to be very inexpensive for dogs to just try it. For people that want to book recurring sessions, it's going to definitely be a lower price point. And then I'm also probably going to come up with some sort of an introductory package, because the fact of the matter is it probably will take, you know, two to four sessions for a dog to really get used to the Slap Mill. So I'm probably going to have some sort of a new client introductory package where I come out three times for maybe a little bit shorter session but at a more discounted price, just to kind of make sure that everybody's happy.

Speaker 2

There you go, that's Mission, mission to her work. Jen Rogers of Zoomies Canine Fitness A new business, really a wonderful business, but a wonderful service to our canine friends and a necessary service for those dogs that really do need to get some exercise and live with owners that can't help them. Jen is there to help. Jen, thank you for your mission to our you know furry friends and really to the community. What a wonderful new business, a good neighbor business in our community. It's great that you're bringing Zoomies Canine Fitness to the world and we wish you the best of luck. Everybody. If you'd like to get one of those, try it to see if you like it type services. Look up Jen. Go to visit her website. It's Zoomies Canine, the letter K and then the number nine zoomiescaninefitnesscom. Jen. Thank you for being a guest here today on the Good Neighbor Podcast.

Speaker 3

Bob, thank you so much for having me.

Episode Closing and Contact Information

Speaker 1

Good Neighbor podcast Bob thank you so much for having me. It's been a pleasure. Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor podcast hosted by Bob Lacey. This is Michael Barkan inviting everyone to get on the Good Neighbor team. Nominate your favorite local business to be featured on an upcoming episode by going to gnpdelcocom or by calling Bob at 610-557-3745.