While following another innovative mobile gym for dogs on TikTok, Melissa Harper realized this was also the perfect niche for her own small business in the Winston-Salem area.
Complementing her experience as a veterinary technician, she opened Run Rascaldyroo in May of 2022, to the delight of many furry friends and their grateful owners. If you’ve caught a few of her Instagram stories, you know seeing those smiling pups strutting on her treadmills instantly brightens your day!
Owning Run Rascaldyroo also allows Melissa to do something she loves – going live on social media with videos of all her adorable four-legged customers. She’s thrilled to know she brings smiles, a few laughs and positive vibes while teaching pet parents the importance of a healthy routine for their dogs.
With new clients, she always begins by explaining the benefits and safety of the “slat mills” on her treadmills designed especially for dogs.
“They are self-propelled and non-motorized,” Melissa explains. “Many people don’t understand the focus and brain power it takes, and that’s what helps tire out their pups. It’s a great confidence builder for any dog, but especially for those with high anxiety. It truly gives them an outlet.”
Any dog older than six months of age is a good candidate, and Melissa’s patience and understanding allows each dog time to figure out what’s going on. Her service is a great option for older arthritic dogs since those slats have a slight bounce that’s easier on their joints. She also exercises pups whose owners have disabilities or work long hours, and Run Rascaldyroo is also a lifesaver during rainy weeks. There’s also air conditioning throughout her van, so warm days are no problem.
“My clients know their dog is getting 30 minutes of quality exercise. Plus, the dogs love it,” she adds. “I also invite owners to hang out in the van with their dog for the first session – as they can get nervous.”
It’s a treat to enjoy being your dog’s personal cheerleader – and when they see you happy and excited, they are happier, too!
Melissa exercises anywhere from eight to 14 dogs a day, Monday through Saturday, having developed a devoted customer base throughout Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Clemmons, Lewisville, High Point and King. Word of mouth and a strong social media presence have played important roles in her success.
“Many people don’t understand how liking, commenting and sharing posts from small businesses is all you really have to do to show your support,” she adds. “It’s a direct and affordable way to boost brand awareness and be more mindful of customers’ needs.”
If you’re a new Run Rascaldyroo client, here are some important tips!
* Don’t feed your dog for at least two hours before exercising, and wait 30 minutes to an hour afterwards before feeding.
* Don’t give your dog water while they are panting heavily. Wait 15 to 20 minutes after exercise, so their body temperature can regulate itself. Both of these reminders are to avoid Bloat in your dog – known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood flow to major organs.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 50% of American dogs are either overweight or obese which contributes to joint strain, arthritis, fatigue, heart and other body system problems. After 30 minutes of exercise, it’s true your pup may have the “zoomies” for a few minutes – but you’ll soon notice a calmer demeanor.
Visit runrascaldyroo.com to book an appointment with Melissa online and for additional information. Be sure to follow, like and share her fun-filled adventures on Facebook and Instagram @runrascaldyroo – because who doesn’t love watching a truly happy dog?!
