Dogs are the only species in the animal kingdom that have evolved enough to be considered man’s best friend. Through thousands of years of interactions between the two species, these canines transformed from wolves that scavenged our ancestors’ food to the first domesticated animals aiding in hunting, eventually becoming integral members of our families. In fact, we can track the spread of prehistoric agriculture in our past through a genetic adaptation in dogs that allowed them to digest more starchy foods.
For centuries, we have bred new varieties of dogs to suit our needs. They helped Spanish conquistadors in battle in the so-called New World and assisted the first explorers of Antarctica. As humans expanded across the globe, our furry companions followed. Today, as a larger percentage of the population lives in urban areas, many dogs live in city apartments.
For example, a few year ago Zoey, a 13-year-old mini labradoodle, moved from the Bay Area to New York City with her owner, Cheryl Zaidi. Zaidi explains that Zoey has always struggled with separation anxiety when left alone during her workday, leading to complaints from neighbors about the noise and increased anxiety for herself. It could be argued that we have evolved to care about the well-being of our canine companions.
In the Hudson Valley, operators are now offering full-on independent hikes for both city and local dogs whose owners don’t get the same time in nature. Clients and walkers alike argue that the strenuous exercise benefits the well-being of both the animals and their families. Zaidi turned to My Dog Hikes, a service that takes dogs from Manhattan and Orange County on hikes in their private property in the Hudson Valley. She says that allowing Zoey to run off-leash, get exercise, and socialize with other dogs had a very positive impact on her life, significantly reducing her separation anxiety.
“Hiking is an innate primal function of dogs. Like their wolf descendants, they are meant to trek for long periods of time,” says Andrea Klein, founder and owner of My Dog Hikes. Growing up in upstate New York, Klein loved animals and walked dogs for fun. After graduating college and moving to NYC in 2006, she started working as a dog walker while waiting for a corporate job. She founded the company in 2007, and by the next year, she had left corporate America to pursue a full-time profession tending to animals’ needs.
Today My Dog Hikes employs 30 people, including trainers, puppy raisers, and walkers. The company not only offers hiking, but also daycare and overnight options. Klein says her clients are diverse, ranging from “college students to a celebrity clientele.” Safety and behavior training are among the reasons clients keep coming back. The animals spend three hours on the trail, working on recall and socialization. “Consistency and structure are what dogs thrive on,” says Klein.
They also send email report cards to their clients updating them on their dog’s activities during the day. She describes their work as a Montessori-style school for dogs, where their training is a holistic approach to behavior and hiking.
Cheryl Zaidi, Zoey’s owner, says that after becoming comfortable with the company, she began sending Zoey on overnight trips and camps. She refers to it as a “vacation for the dog” because “that’s what it feels like.”
My Dog Hikes isn’t the only company of its kind in the Hudson Valley. Take A Hike With Dogs is a one-man company managed by Winston Mejía, serving dogs and their humans around White Plains, West Harrison, and surrounding areas. Mejía, who has a background as a veterinary technician and zookeeper, began taking his own bulldogs on hikes and noticed how well they exercised. This inspired him by 2018 to start a hiking service for local dogs.
The business grew through word-of-mouth and social media, says Mejía. From Monday through Friday, he takes 15-25 dogs — sometimes accompanied by his cat, Legato, whose presence the dogs generally take in stride — on hikes in Hudson Highlands and Harriman state parks. He spends around six hours with the dogs, prepping, feeding, walking, and cleaning each before returning the animal home.
Mejía believes that dogs need at least two hours of exercise per day. “When that’s not provided, they develop anxiety or other behavioral issues,” he says. He explains that the challenging outdoor hiking trails, which often require scrambles, not only make the dogs happier but also improve their well-being throughout the rest of the week. Many of his clients send him photos of their pets sleeping soundly at home after a hike and report improved behavior and reduced anxiety.
After a long day hiking, Zaidi says of Zoey, “a tired dog is a happy dog.”
Editor’s Note: While the dogs featured here are not pictured in Scenic Hudson parks, it’s worth noting that leashes are required at all times in Scenic Hudson parks.
