Everyone loves their dogs, but sometime we love them too much and a few extra treats can lead to an overweight pet.
To help those overweight pets, the folks at the Georgia State Parks are teaming up with vets to get those doggie bodies into shape. It's called the Pets RXercise Program.
Here's how it works. You go to the vet, and the doctor gives you a script to take your dog for a walk which you then turn in at a state park in exchange for free parking.
At first glance Richard Dixon might seem like a man taking his dog for a walk at Red Top Mountain State Park. Dixon is actually a veterinarian in Rome, and he's trying to get out the word about overweight dogs.
"Most people don't know their dog is overweight because they see them every day," said Dixon.
Studies show between 30 and 50 percent of all dogs need to lose weight. So, the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association has teamed up with the state parks to offer the program.
"You can get a prescription from your vet to talk your dog on a walk. Bring the script to the park, turn it in and you don't have to pay the $5 parking fee and you and your dog get exercise," said Kim Hatcher of Georgia State Parks.
Dixon says walks are a great way to shed those extra doggie pounds. But before you rush out, you want to make sure your pet is healthy enough to exercise.
"Have your pet get checked out to make sure it is healthy enough to participate in an exercise program," said Dixon.
If your dog is healthy enough, Dixon says start small with the program.
"Don't take them out for a five mile walk. Take them up the street, and then slowly build up the length of the walk," advised Dixon.
Of course, exercise is just part of the solution.
"You can talk to your vet about a healthy diet program as well," said Dixon.
Dixon says the dogs aren't the only ones who win when they get in shape.
"If we make them healthy, they survive much longer and be around to keep us company," said Dixon.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:29:22 GMT
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
