- 303.956.5755
- info@healthyhoundsfitnessclub.com
- Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- 303.956.5755
- info@healthyhoundsfitnessclub.com
- Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Healthy Hounds Fitness Club provides structured fitness walks, adventure hikes, Everyday Walks, and canine massage for dogs in Arvada, Colorado, with Fear Free certified Coaches who know the difference between Ralston Creek Trail’s cyclist traffic and the natural terrain at Indiana Equestrian Trailhead. Every session is one dog or one household, matched to your dog’s breed, age, conditioning level, and trail readiness.
Arvada’s foothill-adjacent open spaces and its commuter-heavy weekday pattern create a specific fitness gap: dogs home alone while their families are on I-70 or the RTD G Line need more than a yard and a weekend hike on Bluebird days. From intentional movement sessions along Van Bibber Open Space to senior-friendly decompression walks at Majestic View Park, every service is designed for a dog’s specific conditioning level, age, and fitness baseline.
Nicole Packin, founder of Healthy Hounds Fitness Club, holds a Master’s Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington, is a Certified Fear Free Professional, and is a two-time PSI Pet Sitter of the Year Top 5 Finalist (2024 and 2025). Every Coach on the team is a W-2 employee, Fear Free certified, and Pet CPR trained.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm. Call 303-956-5755 or book your free New Client Consultation to get started.
Four services cover the full range of Arvada dog needs, from midday Everyday Walks to full-day Adventure Hikes. Every session is one dog or one household. Services are designed to work together; clients combine walks, hikes, and massage based on their dog’s needs and schedule.
Starting at $40/session | ~30 minutes | Minimum 2x/week
The reliable midday coverage service for Arvada’s commuter households. A Coach comes at a scheduled time during the workday, delivers structured movement with consistent pacing and leash skill development, and gets your dog out of the house on a predictable schedule. This is the right starting service for dogs who need routine and structured movement while their families are on the G Line or I-70.
Starting at $55/session | ~45 minutes | Minimum 2x/week
Intentionally paced exercise building aerobic conditioning and reinforcing leash manners. Coaches select terrain matched to each dog’s fitness level, from Ralston Creek Trail’s paved sections to Van Bibber’s riparian trails. Each session has a specific movement goal beyond covering distance. Structured, not casual.
From $125/session | ~120 minutes (90 minutes trail time) | Minimum 1x/week | Transport included
The flagship service for conditioned dogs ready for Arvada’s Front Range foothill terrain. Transport is included, so there are no logistics on your end. Indiana Equestrian Trailhead’s Moon Gulch Trail, Van Bibber’s open meadows and riparian corridor, and other natural-surface routes provide the endurance-building movement conditioned dogs need. Adventure Hikes are built for dogs that have demonstrated trail readiness, including trail neutrality and reliable recall, assessed at intake, not assumed. Off-leash access is evaluated case-by-case for dogs that have demonstrated readiness. It is not a default offering.
From $95/session | 1x/month
Soft tissue maintenance and recovery-focused movement support for dogs who are active on Arvada’s trails. Myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and stress point therapy address the accumulation that structured outdoor activity produces over time. Nicole completes a veterinary coordination form before beginning any massage program, so your veterinarian is part of the care picture.
Many Arvada households leave by 7:30am and return after 6pm. The families in Candelas, Leyden Rock, and Five Parks who moved west for the trail access love getting their dogs out on Bluebird days at Van Bibber Open Space or Indiana Equestrian Trailhead. The problem is not those outings. The problem is what happens to a dog’s body and behavior across five sedentary weekdays while their family is commuting to Denver via I-70 or to Boulder via US-36. Dogs who adventure on weekends need structured conditioning the rest of the week to sustain the muscle tone, cardiovascular base, and behavioral steadiness those outings require.
Healthy Hounds Fitness Club uses a fitness-forward vocabulary because that is what accurately describes the work. A structured fitness walk is an intentionally paced session with a specific conditioning goal, not a loose perimeter loop. A decompression walk gives a high-drive dog space to sniff, self-regulate, and decompress at a pace the dog sets. Sniff-heavy enrichment outings are mentally tiring in a way that pure mileage is not. These are different tools for different dogs on different days, and every session is planned around the individual dog’s needs. One session, one household’s dog or dogs, undivided handler attention on the trail.
Arvada’s open spaces present specific behavioral challenges that require real preparation. Prairie dog colonies are common throughout Arvada’s parks and open spaces, and they trigger prey drive reliably in many dogs. Ralston Creek Trail carries heavy cyclist and trail runner traffic seven days a week, including commuter cyclists approaching from behind with speed. Indiana Equestrian Trailhead enforces equestrian right-of-way: trail neutrality around horses is a different behavioral skill than trail neutrality around cyclists, and Indiana Equestrian requires both. Reliable recall and trail neutrality are assessed at intake for every dog, not assumed. A dog walking Arvada’s multi-use paths without those behavioral foundations is a genuine safety liability.
West Arvada trails fill on Bluebird Colorado weather days. Coaches plan outings around timing, surface temperature, and each dog’s specific conditioning level, not just trail availability. Summer afternoon heat builds quickly on exposed paths. Chinook winds can shift conditions fast, turning a manageable morning into a high-wind afternoon on the exposed sections of Indiana Equestrian or the upland meadows of Van Bibber Open Space. Van Bibber’s shaded riparian corridor along the creek is the right call on summer mornings when exposed trails are already heating up. Majestic View Park’s flat mulch and paved paths suit lower-impact conditioning days when weather or a dog’s fitness level calls for it. This is expertise, not preference.
A few months ago, Nicole met a woman who had recently experienced a devastating loss in her family. Along with navigating her own grief, she had taken on the care of her daughter’s middle-aged dog.
When Nicole first met the dog, she seemed withdrawn. She moved through life cautiously, almost as if she was carrying the weight of everything happening around her. Dogs pick up on our emotions, our routines, and the energy in our homes. They don’t understand loss the way we do, but they feel the changes that come with it.
Through weekly adventure outings, enrichment sessions, and simply having a space where she could run, sniff, explore, and just be a dog, something started to shift. Week by week, she began to open up. The cautious dog Nicole first met started rolling in the grass, running through Arvada’s open spaces, investigating every interesting scent, and showing off her playful personality again.
What struck Nicole most was not the physical transformation. It was watching her let go of the heaviness she seemed to be carrying. She no longer looked like a dog trying to absorb the sadness around her. She looked like a dog enjoying life again. Her family is still healing, and grief has no timeline. But watching both of them find moments of joy has been one of the most meaningful parts of this work.
Healthy Hounds Fitness Club serves dogs in West Woods, Five Parks, Candelas, Leyden Rock, Scenic Heights, Alta Vista, Ralston Valley, Whisper Creek, Lake Arbor, Club Crest, Arvada West, Allendale, Rainbow Ridge, Sierra Estates, Cameo Estates, Spring Mesa, The Pond, Lamar Heights, Olde Town Arvada, Candlelight, and Northwest Arvada.
From our clients
6 reviews
Jenny Mendoza
April 2026
“ I trust them completely with my boy Santana, he's small and full of opinions, and they totally get him. He absolutely loves his walks and weekly hikes. Knowing he's taken care of midday while I'm at work has been such a relief. So glad I found them.
Maddie Ryan
April 2026
“ Nicole helped me not only meet Vegas's fitness goals, but also helped her recover after long weekends of busy trialing. She helped keep Vegas out of the "weekend warrior" status, which meant safer runs and better recovery time! After working with Vegas, I introduced Nicole to my french bulldog Ozzy. Nicole knew exactly how to safely handle him and introduce herself slowly to build confidence and trust.
Anne-Marie Kaden
April 2026
“ I don't know anyone more committed to safety and fitness in the canine world. She is determined to always do what is right for the dog. I would trust her 1000% with the care of my dogs every time.
Rhonda Ringler
March 2026
“ She worked with my four dogs for about four years, three Bernedoodles and a Basset Hound, and honestly became a huge part of our lives. My dogs are at different stages in life, age, energy, just different needs, and she really understood that. Two of them needed to lose some weight, and over time I saw real progress.
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Read all reviews on Google →Call 303-956-5755 or book your free New Client Consultation to get started.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm.
Arvada’s open spaces are managed by two agencies with different rules, and Healthy Hounds Fitness Club Coaches know both. City of Arvada parks and trails require a 6 ft maximum leash. Jefferson County Open Space at Van Bibber Open Space allows a 10 ft maximum leash. These are not interchangeable, and a professional dog walker who does not know the difference is not prepared for Arvada’s trail system.
Ralston Creek Trail (West terminus: Arvada Blunn Reservoir, W 64th Pkwy) City of Arvada. Leash-only, 6 ft maximum. This 12.5-mile paved multi-use trail connects Creekside, Memorial, Ralston Central, Ralston Cove, and other named parks along the creek. The west terminus offers strong Front Range skyline views. Ralston Creek Trail functions as a transportation corridor for commuter cyclists, not just a recreational path. Cyclists approach from behind with speed, trail runners share the path, and equestrian use occurs on some segments. Trail neutrality is not optional on Ralston Creek. This trail works well for dogs with solid leash manners and comfort around fast-moving multi-use traffic. It is a high-distraction environment with low terrain demand, well suited for conditioning leash skills in a real-world setting.
Majestic View Park and Nature Center (7030 Garrison St, Arvada 80004) City of Arvada. Leash-only. Approximately 80 acres with about 2 miles of trails, including a paved interpretive trail and a mulch trail. Flat to gently rolling, ADA accessible, with mountain views, wetland areas, and native plant habitat. Majestic View Park is quieter than Ralston Creek Trail, making it the right choice for senior dogs, dogs in recovery-focused movement programs, and dogs that need to build confidence at lower intensity. Canine Massage pairs well with the lower-impact conditioning days this location is designed for, addressing the soft tissue accumulation that even gentle regular movement produces over time. The outdoor park and trails have remained accessible and open.
Van Bibber Open Space (Ward Road Trailhead, 5575 Ward Rd, Arvada 80002) Jefferson County Open Space (not City of Arvada). Leash-only, 10 ft maximum. This 164-acre Jefferson County open space has approximately 5.2 miles of trails across multiple habitat types: upland meadow, wetland, and a shaded riparian corridor along Van Bibber Creek, a tributary of Clear Creek. The cottonwood and willow canopy along the creek makes Van Bibber’s riparian sections cooler than exposed upland trails, which is what makes Van Bibber a viable summer-morning option when other Arvada trails are already heating up. Wildlife density here is higher than in most city parks: birds, waterfowl, and amphibians in addition to the rabbits, coyotes, and hawks common across Arvada’s open spaces. Dogs with high wildlife drive need attentive handling at Van Bibber. The 10 ft leash allows more behavioral freedom than 6 ft zones, making it a strong environment for sniff-heavy enrichment sessions in a multi-habitat setting.
Lake Arbor Park (6400 Pomona Dr, Arvada 80003) City of Arvada. Leash-only. The flat paved loop is approximately 1.16 miles. Dogs cannot swim in Lake Arbor under Arvada Municipal Code. Lake Arbor Park is the right location for senior dogs, dogs in recovery-focused movement programs, and any dog that needs a predictable, low-intensity route with consistent footing and minimal surprises.
West Arvada Dog Park (17975 W. 64th Parkway, Arvada 80007) City of Arvada (volunteer-operated). Fully fenced off-leash, over 10 acres with three gated areas, and the largest dog park in Arvada. An Arvada dog license is required for off-leash use. Healthy Hounds Fitness Club Coaches confirm licensing status at intake before scheduling any off-leash sessions here. West Arvada Dog Park is used for confidence-building and controlled social exposure for dogs that qualify: Arvada-licensed, with demonstrated off-leash readiness. Off-leash access at this location is not a default offering.
Indiana Equestrian Trailhead (7500 Indiana St, Arvada 80007) City of Arvada. Leash-only. Horses have right-of-way on this trail, and that is enforced. The Moon Gulch Trail at this trailhead offers natural terrain with genuine elevation change, making it the most foothill-character trail among Healthy Hounds Fitness Club’s six Arvada locations. Access improved significantly after the Rocky Mountain Greenway project’s Indiana Street bridge opened, making the trailhead more accessible than it was a few years ago. A dog that lunges at or spooks horses on Indiana Equestrian creates a real safety incident. Coaches assess each dog’s readiness for equestrian-adjacent trail environments before routing to Moon Gulch Trail. Indiana Equestrian is reserved for Adventure Hike candidates with solid trail neutrality around both cyclists and large animals, reliable recall, appropriate fitness for elevation change, and calm behavior around horses.
Coaches monitor trail conditions, seasonal restrictions, and daily weather before every outing, including summer heat windows, winter snowpack and ice on foothill trails, and the Chinook wind shifts that can change west Arvada’s conditions within hours.
Nicole Packin holds a Master’s Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington, a credential no other Arvada dog walker or hiking service holds. For Arvada’s professional households, that specificity matters: this is graduate-level education in how animals learn, respond to stress, and develop behavioral patterns over time, applied directly to how every Healthy Hounds Fitness Club session is designed and run.
Nicole is also a Certified Fear Free Professional (CFFP). Fear Free is a certification program that trains pet care professionals to recognize and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress during care interactions, not just manage physical safety. In Arvada’s specific trail context, that means reading behavioral signals when a dog first notices a prairie dog colony on Ralston Creek Trail, when a cyclist approaches fast on a multi-use path, or when a horse appears on Indiana Equestrian Trailhead. A Fear Free Coach adjusts handling in real time, before a stress response escalates. The goal is to set each dog’s session up for success, structuring every interaction so the dog is positioned for a positive experience from start to finish. On Bluebird Colorado weather days when trails are busy and distractions are everywhere, that preparation is the difference between a productive session and one that creates a negative behavioral association.
Nicole is also a Certified Small Animal Massage Practitioner through NWSAM (Northwest School of Animal Massage), with Advanced Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, and Stress Point Therapy training. With 20+ years in pet care and two consecutive years as a PSI Pet Sitter of the Year Top 5 Finalist (2024 and 2025), Nicole Packin’s background is specific and verifiable. Learn more about Nicole’s background on the About page.
Healthy Hounds Fitness Club is based in nearby Westminster. Every Coach is a W-2 employee, not a contractor. Healthy Hounds Fitness Club is a team-based business: every Coach is trained to handle all services, so your dog benefits from a consistent standard of care regardless of which Coach is on the session. Every Coach holds Fear Free certification and Pet CPR and First Aid training. Sessions are one dog or one household only. Healthy Hounds Fitness Club is a member of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce and Boulder Chamber of Commerce and is fully insured through Business Insurers of the Carolinas.
When a dog is receiving care from a veterinary specialist, Healthy Hounds Fitness Club designs fitness-focused sessions to complement that care, not compete with it. Movement intensity, terrain selection, and session duration are adjusted so sessions support recovery rather than set it back. If your dog is recovering from injury or surgery and your veterinarian has prescribed specific exercises, Nicole can incorporate those movements into sessions. She is currently the only team member certified to provide that level of individualized recovery-focused programming. For dogs already in a Canine Massage program, the vet coordination form Nicole completes before starting any massage keeps the care picture connected across providers. Let us know at intake so sessions can be coordinated with your care team.
Arvada- and Westminster-area veterinary specialists we recommend clients be aware of include OrthoPets (1130 W 124th Ave, Suite 900, Westminster), the Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group (CRCG, 8855 W 116th Circle, Broomfield), and Walking Paws Rehab (649 South Broadway, Boulder). The Veterinary Behavior Center (5345 Arapahoe Ave, Suite 7, Boulder) serves behavior-focused cases, and CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins is the regional anchor for specialty referrals. If your dog is already working with a veterinary specialist, let us know at intake so sessions can support your care team’s plan.
An Arvada dog license is required specifically for off-leash use at West Arvada Dog Park, not for Adventure Hike sessions generally. Adventure Hikes take dogs to trail environments including Ralston Creek Trail, Van Bibber Open Space, and Indiana Equestrian Trailhead, all of which are leash-required areas managed by either the City of Arvada or Jefferson County Open Space. Off-leash access is assessed case-by-case, based on each dog’s demonstrated reliable recall and trail neutrality. It is not a default offering. Dogs without confirmed off-leash readiness are matched to leash-appropriate trail routes that fully meet their fitness and enrichment needs. The intake conversation covers your dog’s history, behavioral baseline, and which trail environments are the right match.
An Adventure Hike is approximately 120 minutes in total, with 90 minutes of active trail time, and includes transport to and from the trailhead. It is designed for conditioned dogs that need endurance-building movement and sensory richness on natural terrain: Indiana Equestrian Trailhead’s Moon Gulch Trail, Van Bibber’s riparian corridor and open meadows, and other natural-surface routes in Arvada’s Front Range foothill access zone. Adventure Hikes are not a fit for every dog. Intake and assessment determine fit, including trail neutrality around Arvada’s cyclists, horses, and wildlife. Everyday Walks and Fitness Walks serve dogs that need structured midday movement without that intensity. Many clients combine walks, hikes, and massage based on their dog’s needs across the week.
Fear Free trains pet care professionals to recognize and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress during care interactions. A Fear Free Coach reads behavioral signals throughout a session and adjusts handling in real time, including how they approach a dog, clip the leash, and respond when a dog shows early stress signals on a prairie-dog-heavy Arvada trail or a busy Bluebird afternoon at Van Bibber Open Space. The goal is to set each dog’s session up for success, structuring every interaction so the dog is positioned for a positive experience, not one that requires the dog to push through distress. For dogs on Arvada’s multi-use trails, where cyclists, horses, and wildlife distractions are constant, that behavioral attentiveness is what keeps a session productive.
Yes. Senior dogs benefit from structured, low-impact movement that maintains joint mobility and muscle tone without overexertion. In Arvada, that means Majestic View Park’s flat mulch and paved trails, Lake Arbor Park’s paved 1.16-mile loop, and Van Bibber Open Space’s shaded riparian sections during summer heat. Sessions for senior dogs are intentionally paced, matched to appropriate terrain, and attentive to recovery signals throughout. Canine massage is available as a complement for dogs managing arthritis, myofascial restriction, or soft-tissue tension from aging. Movement and massage together address both the primary joint concern and the compensatory patterns that develop in surrounding muscle tissue over time.
Every Coach is a W-2 employee. Coaches are background-checked, Fear Free certified, Pet CPR trained, and accountable to Nicole Packin directly. The employee model means Nicole Packin can enforce consistent training standards across the Healthy Hounds Fitness Club team. Every Coach is cross-trained on all services, so any Coach working with your dog has been prepared to the same standard on structured fitness walks, Adventure Hikes, and canine massage. That level of accountability is not available through app-based services.
Most Arvada clients book Monday through Friday sessions while they are commuting to Denver or Boulder. Healthy Hounds Fitness Club is open Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm, which aligns with standard Denver metro commute departure times and early-rising RTD G Line riders. Sessions are scheduled in advance: Coaches manage routing and timing around weather conditions, summer heat windows when morning sessions are booked before trail surfaces heat up, and seasonal trail accessibility on Arvada’s foothill paths. The free intake consultation covers your scheduling preferences and establishes which service and timing best match your dog’s needs and your calendar.
The free New Client Consultation is where a Coach gets to know your dog: history, fitness baseline, trail readiness, behavioral notes, and which service is the right starting point. There is no obligation, and no session is scheduled until the right match has been made.
Call 303-956-5755 or book your free New Client Consultation to schedule. Healthy Hounds Fitness Club is available Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm.
Fit dogs don’t skip weekdays!
Nicole Packin, founder of Healthy Hounds Fitness Club, holds a Master’s Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington and is a two-time PSI Pet Sitter of the Year Top 5 Finalist.