The American Heart Association is using the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show's 150th anniversary to promote a crucial public health message: aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. This initiative comes as heart disease is projected to increase substantially and only about 25.3% of U.S. adults currently meet national physical activity guidelines. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, stated that for 150 years, Westminster has celebrated the special connection between people and their dogs, a bond that can inspire healthier, more active lives. The timing coincides with the start of American Heart Month, with the iconic competition beginning in New York City on January 31, 2026.
Research supports the connection between pet ownership and cardiovascular health. Studies suggest dog owners are more likely to meet daily activity recommendations and can experience lower stress levels, improved mood and stronger emotional resilience. Glenn N. Levine, M.D., FAHA, a volunteer medical expert for the American Heart Association and lead author of the Association's scientific statement on pet ownership and cardiovascular risk, noted that having a pet has been shown to decrease levels of stress, boost happiness and encourage heart-healthy habits like regular physical activity. The partnership highlights how pets support heart-healthy behaviors through increased movement from daily walks and play, stress relief and mood improvement from time spent with animals, enhanced social connections as dogs help people meet neighbors, and the development of healthier habits through outdoor time and structured activity.
Donald Sturz, Ph.D., president of The Westminster Kennel Club, expressed pride in supporting the American Heart Association's efforts to highlight how canine companions inspire healthy habits and hearts as they celebrate the extraordinary role dogs play in our lives upon the Westminster Dog Show's sesquicentennial. The American Heart Association encourages everyone to try a simple challenge: aim for a little movement each day that adds up to 150 minutes weekly, noting that even short walks count and pets can help but aren't required to participate. Levine added that dogs have a natural way of getting us up and moving, and that shared activity is good for their well-being and ours as well. For more guidance on adding physical activity, the Association recommends visiting https://heart.org/pets for tips and inspiration.
While pets can support healthier routines, the Association emphasizes that decisions about bringing an animal home should be based on long-term commitment to the pet's care. The 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show takes place January 31 and February 2-3, 2026, in New York City, with the full viewing schedule available at https://westminsterkennelclub.org/viewing-schedule.
