In August 2026, our Ottawa studio at 335 Catherine Street opened its doors for an afternoon activation organised by URBANIA x Desjardins. From 2 to 6 PM, the space was dedicated to their event, with our puppies, our team and our studio set up to welcome their guests in a calm, friendly setting. It is a good example of how a brand collaboration can borrow a studio for an afternoon and turn it into something people actually want to stay for.
A studio afternoon instead of a booth
Brand activations usually happen in busy, noisy places: a booth at a festival, a pop-up corner in a mall, a table at a conference. Hosting one in a puppy yoga studio changes the mood completely. Guests step off Catherine Street into a bright room with mats on the floor, soft playpens and puppies that have been socialised and supervised by our team and their breeder. Nobody needs a script to start a conversation when a puppy is already curled up beside them.
A four-hour window also gives an organiser flexibility. Instead of one fixed class, an afternoon can be built around the guest flow: people arriving at different times, small groups taking turns with the puppies, and enough breathing room for the animals to rest between groups.
How we run a longer activation
For an event like this one, our hostesses stay on the floor the whole time. They welcome each group, explain how to hold and greet a puppy gently, and keep an eye on every interaction. Puppy welfare comes first, so the schedule always includes breaks, fresh water and quiet time in a separate area. When the puppies are tired, they rest; that rule is never negotiable, even during a busy afternoon.
Depending on what the organiser wants, an activation can follow our Puppy Playtime format, with small groups rotating every 10 to 15 minutes in a secure puppy area, or include a short all-levels yoga class led by a certified instructor before the puppies join in. We handle the mats, playpens, supplies, set-up and clean-up, so the organiser can focus on their guests and their message.
Why brands and media partners choose puppies
A collaboration between a media brand and a financial cooperative needs a setting that feels welcoming and memorable without being loud. Puppies do that naturally. People slow down, put their phones away (or take them out for photos, which also helps), and leave with a genuinely good memory attached to the event. For an organiser, that is often the whole point of an activation.
Our Ottawa studio is central, easy to reach and already equipped, which makes it a practical venue for launches, community afternoons and partner events. We can also bring the same set-up to an office, a campus or another venue in the region.
Hosting your own event in Ottawa
If you are planning a brand activation, a team afternoon or a community event, we would be happy to help you shape it. You can browse our puppy yoga classes in Ottawa, read more about how to plan a private puppy yoga event, or simply request a quote with your date, your group size and your idea.
