Hey, Lauren and Zach here
We are the team behind Embark Balance. As passionate dog owners, we understand the importance of keeping our canine companions happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated. That's why we created Embark Balance – a place where we can bring our passion for a healthy happy dog to you!
Our Story
Embark Balance was born out of our love for our two dogs, Storm and Casper, with a desire to prevent injuries. Storm and Casper are both athletes. They train hard and compete in Flyball events and they absolutely love it! Like any sport, prolonged competition stress on joints and muscle tissues from high impact activities may result in injuries.
We were inspired by a good friend of ours who created a fitness program for Storm and Casper through a regular set of exercises with specialised equipment. We witnessed firsthand the incredible benefits of a structured exercise routine. We saw Storm and Casper thrive – not just physically, but mentally as well. The impact this has had should not have been surprising, afterall humans have been completing exercise schedules both for leisure, general fitness and professional sport for years so why would the results be different in dogs?
As an Exercise Scientist currently pursuing a Masters in Exercise Physiology, Lauren is able to bring together her passion for both exercise science and her love of dogs into Embark Balance.
Our goal is to bring awareness to the benefits of canine conditioning and how a simple and easy routine from home may improve your canines fitness, behaviour and health. After all, they are family and who wouldn’t want family to thrive and enjoy life to the fullest!
Hey I’m Storm
I’m the sweet one of the family, Mum always calls me a Princess. I mean, surely i’m not the only one who tip toes on wet grass, sleeps on the human bed with my head on the pillow, and makes sure I’m not getting poisoned by treats I haven’t had before right?
I was born on April Fool’s Day and I need to live up to that name. I only bark at nothing when I want to take the toy my brother has. It’s really not my fault he’s dopey and leaves things behind. I can’t just take it off him, I have to steal it!
I LOVE the ball, I love the ball so much that I even get to play this really cool game with my friends. Mum & Dad say it is called Flyball, and we get to go every weekend. Sometimes we get to go for the whole day and we play with lots of other dogs that we only see on a big day. When I’m at flyball, nothing else matters, but because we love the sport so much, Mum makes sure we get well-exercised every other day.
I mean, she’s too lazy for the gym herself so I don’t understand why I have to work extra hard too. But I get lots of treats so I don’t really mind.
Apparently, I’m getting old and need to keep fit.
I have been doing Flyball for 7 years now, and have earned over 1000 title points! Mum says I’m a Flyball Master Champion, which basically means I’ve done ALOT of racing. If I want to keep racing then I need to keep up with my exercise routine otherwise I could get injured which would be a DISASTER. Imagine not being able to play ball with all my friends ever again!
Since starting my exercise routine, Mum says that she has noticed I look different. She says that I look fitter and healthier (whatever that means), that I have a visible core and that I run faster and longer than before. I have noticed that I don’t wake up as sore the next day after playing ALL day at Flyball so it must be doing something good.
As long as I get to continue playing Flyball then I’m happy - so for any other dogs out there that want to run faster, run longer and not feel so bored, give my Mum and Dad’s exercise equipment a try - I’m sure you will LOVE it!
Hey I’m Casper!
I’m the goofball of the family. Dad always says I go zero to a hundred with no in-between but I don’t believe him. I have this really cool sister named Storm, who I adore very much. She has anxiety, so I always make sure that whenever I see she’s getting stressed, I’m right there next to her to protect her. I’ve only had to chase a dog away once.
I love to bark at nothing in the backyard then run inside and watch Storm come racing outside to see what I was barking at. This usually results in Mum or Dad telling off Storm because she then starts attacking the fence to get the attention of Alphie, our next door doggy. He likes to do the same thing. It’s Storm and Alphies favourite game.
I also love to get up early and have an early breakfast. I really don’t understand why Mum and Dad want to sleep in, so I make sure to wake them up when I get up, with lots of cuddles, kisses, and loud good mornings! I think 6:30 AM is pretty reasonable don’t you?
When I was a puppy, Mum and Dad took me to watch Storm play Flyball. Seeing her racing to get her ball against all her friends made me really excited, so Dad thought I should give it a go. He told me I was a complete disaster to train - I mean, he only gave up like three times on me! It’s not like I meant to bite his fingers…or his legs, his butt, his arm, or belly… I just get so exited and want to play SO much.
After what felt like fur-ever, I finally got to race in my FIRST-EVER race! Turns out I’m actually pretty good at Flyball - once I figured out how to play - and now I get to race in the fast team and race against my fastest friends!
Because I run so hard, Mum says that I need extra training, so I join Storm and have an exercise routine once a week. I get lots of treats and am exhausted by the end of it.
Mum and Dad say that the reason i am able to still be this active at 7.5 years old is because I eat healthy food and exercise regularly. If any other doggies out there want to continue to enjoy their best lives and stay active, then give my Mum and Dad’s balance equipment a go!
It’s not that bad, and I love the time I get to spend with them!