The UTA School of Social Work is partnering with Cowtown Friends of FWACC (Fort Worth Animal Care and Control) to host a relaxing and joy-filled Puppy Yoga event for alumni on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 to 11 a.m., offering a chance to unwind, reconnect and support local pet adoption efforts.
This event reflects the school’s growing effort to strengthen its alumni network while building meaningful relationships with mission-driven partners in the community. Alumni will participate in a guided yoga session surrounded by adoptable puppies, blending well-being, philanthropy and relationship-building in one experience.
Dana Litt, vice president of Cowtown Friends of FWACC and professor in the School of Social Work, shares:
“What excites me most about community partnerships like the Alumni Puppy Yoga event is the way they bring people together around shared values of compassion, wellness, and connection. For me, this collaboration really embodies the spirit of connection and care that defines both the School of Social Work and Cowtown Friends of FWACC. It highlights how community well-being is strengthened through small, meaningful acts of partnership, whether supporting community engagement, promoting humane education, or helping animals find loving homes. These experiences remind us that care extends beyond individuals to the broader community we all share.”
Dr. Dana Litt, vice president of Cowtown Friends of FWACC and professor in the School of Social Work, poses for a photo with a puppy during a Puppy Yoga Event in Spring 2025. (Photo by Doughlas Gutierrez)
Following the yoga session, attendees are encouraged to visit with Fort Worth Animal Care and Control representatives, who will be on site with additional adoptable puppies and dogs and ready to share opportunities to foster, volunteer or get involved in animal advocacy work.
Lana Newberry, volunteer coordinator at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control, adds:
“Collaborations like the Puppy Yoga event highlight how community partnerships can directly impact animal welfare by connecting people, pets, and purpose. By bringing our adoptable dogs into the UTA Homecoming festivities, we are reaching new audiences, promoting pet adoption, and showing how volunteering or fostering can truly make a difference. Events like this give our shelter dogs a chance to shine outside the kennels and remind the community that supporting local animal welfare can be as simple and rewarding as showing up to share a mat with a pup. These experiences strengthen public awareness, build compassion, and ultimately help us save more lives.”
Participants of a Puppy Yoga Event in Spring 2025 give a "Mav Up" hand sign. (Photo by Doughlas Gutierrez)
RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/w9r7UmjSKU
Spots are limited. School of Social Work alumni, faculty and staff are invited to secure their spot and join us for an uplifting and purposeful morning.
For any questions, contact Elizabeth Tejada, program director of alumni relations and community outreach, at elizabeth.tejada@uta.edu.