Canine cavorting in a safe, clean place

Muddy outdoor parks where dogs roamed a bit too free for their liking spurred childhood friends Ellen Adler and Evelyn Franklin to open Fido Fitness, Long Island’s only indoor dog park, in Woodmere.

Fido Fitness Club, which opened its doors at 910 Railroad Ave. on Nov. 1, offers dog owners and their pets a clean, controlled park, training, day care services, grooming and cage less boarding next door at The Barrie Inn, which is owned by Adler. There is also a treadmill that clients can have their dog use if it’s overweight or requires more activity and a South Shore Dog Play group that meets every other Friday.

“The play group serves as a social event for owners and their dogs,” Franklin said. “We also offer an agility course on Tuesday nights.”

Steve Parker, a dog trainer for 20 years, is the manager and staff trainer. “It’s all about creating a calm submissive mindset so owners can communicate with their dog and make their dog fit into their family,” he said regarding training.

Kathleen Valladares, a student at Contemporary Guidance Services in New York City and Long Beach resident, is studying to become a pet care technician. Through her school she landed an internship at Fido Fitness three days a week for five hours a day. “I love it here because I get to play with the dogs,” she said. “Before you enter the facility you have to know what to do and this internship will help me connect more with dogs and be there for them. In a classroom you learn but in an internship, you’re there and it’s the real deal.”

Fido Fitness typically has between 50 and 60 pets pass through their doors during an average weekend. They offer membership on a monthly basis and there are different levels to the membership. Silver gets the client unlimited use of the dog park while gold and platinum members receive day care services and discounts at The Barrie Inn and for events.

Trudy Gonzalez, of Baldwin, wanted a cleaner place to bring her dog instead of a muddy outdoor park. She heard about Fido Fitness Club nearly a month ago at an outdoor dog park and thinks it’s a safe place to bring your dog because all the dogs there have their shots and the staff really enjoys being around dogs. “I adopted my dog in October and she’s almost a year old so she has a lot of energy,” Gonzalez said. “When we come home from the Fido, my dog isn’t bouncing off the walls which is really nice. I also enjoy socializing with the people there while my dog runs around.”

Anthony Fabrizio, a Woodmere resident and retired New York State Department of Mental Health worker, walks the dogs at Fido Fitness. “It gives me something to do,” he said. “It also gives the dogs an opportunity to play and interact with other dogs in a safe environment where the owner doesn’t have to worry about them.”

In addition to running their business Adler and Franklin said they are constantly looking to be involved with charities. Most recently they helped collect more than 500 pounds of pet food throughout Long Island and Queens to donate to “Hearts for Paws.”

Both owners said they have had a great response from veterinarians in the area. “The local businesses have been very supportive,” Franklin said. “Veterinarians are also supportive because they see a trend in overweight dogs so they’ll refer their patients to us as a possible solution.”