Doggie Dash exerciser makes house calls
Harlee Haney of Midvale with her pet Miner. A licensed vet-tech, Haney runs a mobile gym business called Doggie Dash that takes a slatmill designed for exercising dogs to pet owners’ homes.
Harlee Haney of Midvale has the perfect answer for pet owners whose pets need more exercise. It’s called Doggie Dash, a mobile business that brings exercise to pets wherever they are.
A licensed veterinary technician, Haney currently also works at a local veterinarian’s office. She started her mobile business in October 2023 and hopes to pick up enough clients to go part-time with her vet-tech job.
“Growing up on a farm outside of New Philadelphia, animals have always been a big part of my life,” she said.
To get her vet-tech license from the state, Haney completed an associate degree in veterinary technology at Kent State Tuscarawas and accrued 240 hours of practicum at a local clinic before taking and passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam. She also had to pass Ohio and FBI criminal background checks.
“I love veterinary medicine, but it can be really hard on you mentally,” Haney said. “When they come to the clinic, there’s usually something wrong, and they are scared. I wanted to do something fun with animals.”
A pup-powered treadmill
When it’s time for a Doggie Dash appointment, Haney hops into her air-conditioned van, equipped with a canine slatmill (a dog-specific treadmill), and takes her gym on wheels to client locations throughout Tuscarawas County.
“It’s doggie-powered,” Haney said. “It uses a harness that the dog wears and pushes against to run, which makes the slatmill move.”
Haney runs dogs for 30 minutes — less if the dog gets tired or isn’t interested in continuing.
“I give a discount for the first appointment because some pets don’t want to get on right away. I also take time to let the dog get comfortable and feel safe before putting them on the slatmill, and I don’t start the timer until they’re actually moving,” she said.
Once a dog is on the slatmill, they figure out it moves when they move and stops when they stop. While the pup is running, Haney watches for signs of fatigue.
“I’m medically trained to figure out if they’re doing too much or if something is off,” Haney said. “If they’re pushing themselves and having fun, their tongue will be hanging straight out in front.”
Dogs don’t always know their limits, so Haney watches for a tongue hanging out to the side. “When their tongues are out to the side, they make a little cup that helps bring more air into their mouths.”
The goal, however, is to actually tire the pooch out. “I always say, ‘A tired dog is a good dog,’” Haney said. “That’s what I’m there for, to get them tired and get their heart rate up. It’s great cardio, just like for people.”
At the end of the appointment, all dogs get a special treat and high praise from Haney, who also snaps a photo of each pooch after their first visit.
Working dogs and owners both benefit
Pet owners aren’t the only ones who work, Haney said. Some dog breeds are made for work such as Shepherds, Retrievers, Border Collies and Dobermans. Unfortunately, they often live with owners who work every day or live in areas where they can’t exercise their pooches adequately.
“There are pets that really need jobs,” Haney said. “In fact, a lot of behavioral problems in dogs are just pent up anxiety, and they just need to let it out.”
There are plenty of other reasons why pet owners may not be able to exercise their dogs enough, including the weather. “Say it’s going to rain for three days or it’s going to be too cold or too hot outside. I can exercise them inside the air-conditioned van.”
Some owners may even be recovering from surgery and can’t walk, in which case Haney can help on a short-term basis. “If the dog has had surgery and needs therapy, I’m certified to do that too,” she said.
A dog needing more exercise may present with symptoms such as anxiety or hyperactivity. “They may also show separation anxiety by chewing things up when you’re not home,” Haney said.
The exercise also can help with weight loss. “You can’t walk the weight off of a dog,” Haney said. “In my six years of professional experience with animals, it takes more than walking to work off the calories.”
For now Haney said she can only handle dogs that weigh 20 pounds or more on the slatmill she has. Her goal is to buy a slatmill for smaller dogs soon.
Pricing for Doggie Dash visits starts at $35 with a discounted first visit. After that, visits are $40 with the fifth visit free through the Doggie Dash loyalty program. Additional dogs at the same location are $20 each.
Haney also will trim nails for $15 with an exercise or $20 without. To schedule an appointment, call or text 330-333-1740. More information on Doggie Dash LLC is available on Facebook and on TikTok: @doggiedash.