Bend is really going to the dogs.

Doggie dining. Doggie day care. And now, doggie fitness.

For the past two years, Patches Howell has used her mobile, climate-controlled dog exercise station to bring fitness to dogs at home or the workplace. Howell has outfitted her van with a non-motorized treadmill that allows dogs to use their own strength to walk or run. She calls it See Spot Run Mobile.

Howell had first tried it out on her own dogs and then customized it to fit in her van, which she can keep chilled to 61 degrees.

“This community is such a big dog-loving community, it seemed like a great idea,” said Howell, of Bend. “The concept is new, but the dog treadmills are not new. My van is a mobile billboard.”

Bringing a service to the customer is a trend that is booming statewide, said Cara Turano, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network executive director. Renting or buying a building and shelling out funds for upfront equipment costs, make starting a business difficult, Turano said.

“Running a mobile business out of a van is a much lower entry point than having your own space,” Turano said. “Plus, when a founder can show two years of financials, they become more bankable, at which point they could transition to a larger facility. It’s very similar to the pop up restaurant or bar concept.”

Bend is well-known for its Fido-friendly attitude. Business owners place water bowls outside. Cashiers have treats.

“Some of the best opportunities come when entrepreneurs tap into a market trend to offer products that uniquely target a growing niche,” said William Forster, Oregon State University associate professor of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Howell said she got the idea for a mobile doggie gym from her son, who saw a similar operation in Arizona. She already had the equipment for her own dogs, who seemed to enjoy the exercise, Howell said. A few heart-to-heart conversations with her husband and See Spot Run Mobile was born.

She has about 40 to 50 dogs she visits each week.

Stanley’s story

Victoria Ahrens’ dog, Stanley, gets so excited by his sessions that he starts pacing whenever he sees a white van, Ahrens said. Even FedEx trucks get his attention, Ahrens said.

“I’m absolutely in love with this,” Ahrens said. “It’s nice on really hot days, or when it was so icy. Even Stanley couldn’t walk when we had a layer of ice for five days. This helps him get stronger.”

On Wednesdays, Stanley gets a 30-minute session with Howell, who comes to Ahrens’s Bend home. Stanley has gotten stronger and even has developed muscle definition, she said.

“It’s a great mental workout for them,” Ahrens said. “After running on Wednesdays, Stanley will take himself to bed at 8 p.m. It works him physically and mentally as well.”

The dog run

Dog trainer April Sullivan said the mental work is just as important to keeping Fido feeling happy. When a dog is on the treadmill, the activity engages a dog’s mind and body, said Sullivan. The treadmill also builds confidence in dogs who are fearful of new experiences, Sullivan said.

“Sometimes, you get them loaded on the equipment, and that’s just the session,” Sullivan said. “By the second or third session, the dog is moving and over the next couple of sessions, the dog is controlling the device.”

Sullivan said this mobile gym is great because it can help all kinds of owners who have trouble getting out in bad weather or work all day and can’t engage their pooch.

“I use it for my own dog, Smidge,” Sullivan said. “She’s a mixed breed, and she’s a low-confidence dog. At first, she was a little fearful, but once she got going, she’s ready to go. She hops right in the van and goes for it.”

Ten-year-old Smidge goes at a six mph pace for about 30 minutes, Sullivan said. “There’s a lot of dogs in this town who could really use this,” Sullivan said. “Hers is a special business.”