Video: Molly Sims and Gunnar Peterson Kick Off the 2008 PetFit Challenge to Help...

Video: Molly Sims and Gunnar Peterson Kick Off the 2008 PetFit Challenge to
Help America's Cats and Dogs Lose 50 Million Pounds
Challenge Marks Launch of The American Veterinary Medical Association and
Hill's Pet Nutrition First-Ever Joint National Weight Loss Campaign for Dogs
and Cats

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As millions of people make a
resolution to lose weight this year, 54 million overweight cats and dogs in
the United States also are in need of shedding a few pounds for their health's
sake. Today, to help America's beloved pets start their path to a healthier
lifestyle, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), one of the most
trusted authorities on animal health and welfare, and Hill's Pet Nutrition(R),
a leader in pet nutrition, launched the 2008 PetFit Challenge with a pop up
pet health and fitness center at the Hollywood and Highlands in Los Angeles.
As part of this challenge, the AVMA, Hill's and celebrity fitness guru, Gunnar
Peterson, along with the first participant, actress and model, Molly Simms and
her two dogs, Chloe and Poepette, are pledging to help America's pets lose 50
million pounds in 2008 -- one of the biggest overall weight-loss challenges in
America.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/hills/31495/
To help pet owners get started, the AVMA and Hill's have teamed up with
Peterson, a professional trainer who has worked with celebrities like Jennifer
Lopez, Ben Affleck and Gwen Stefani, to create a proprietary People and Pets
Fitness video that provides pet owners with simple exercises to get themselves
and their pets in shape. These specially designed exercises will be unveiled
at the Los Angeles event and will allow people and pets to learn the workout
first hand. The workout is comprised of a series of easy, yet effective
exercises that people can do along with their pets. Special workouts for cats
and dogs have been created as part of the program.
"When I learned that a whopping 35 percent of the total pet population is
either overweight or obese, I was shocked and immediately wanted to help
people learn how to exercise with their pets to help fight pet obesity," said
Gunnar Peterson, celebrity personal trainer. "My livelihood is helping
celebrities achieve their fitness goals, but I also am an avid pet lover and
have four dogs of my own. So, it was a natural extension for me to design a
special workout program that pet owners can do with their pets to ensure they
both are getting the much-needed, positive health benefits on a daily basis."
Like humans, overweight pets are at a greater risk for heart disease,
diabetes, arthritis, and potentially a shortened life expectancy. To help
combat pet obesity, the 2008 PetFit Challenge was designed by experts to
empower pet owners with the most up-to-date medical information, weight-loss
tools and prevention resources to help keep their pets healthy. The emphasis
of this program is to encourage pet owners to work with their veterinarian to
assure their pets are at the right weight to live a long healthy life.
To get America's pets on track, Hill's and the AVMA are taking the PetFit
Challenge on the road. The PetFit Tour, a mobile interactive "science museum,"
will visit 18 cities across the country, helping to give pet owners a unique,
hands-on experience to better understand pet obesity and learn how to help
their cat or dog live a healthier lifestyle. This interactive encounter offers
owners a chance to learn Gunnar's People and Pets workouts, weigh their cat or
dog and receive tailored information from specially trained PetFit experts who
include certified veterinary technicians and veterinary school students.
Additionally, partnerships with veterinary hospitals and clinics across the
country will provide local resources to owners of overweight pets.
Pet owners also can log on to www.PetFit.com to download Gunnar's workout
video for free and to submit their own pet weight loss success story for a
chance to win the America's Fittest Pets contest and an opportunity for their
cat or dog to appear in a Hill's advertisement.
"Through our partnership with Hill's, we hope to inspire pet owners to
take the weight of their four-legged friends very seriously, as it can be a
life-threatening issue," said Gregory S. Hammer, DVM, President of the AVMA.
"This challenge offers a unique way to shed light on the effects of bad pet
health habits, while encouraging pet owners to take action in a fun, new way."
Poor eating and snacking habits and a lack of exercise greatly contribute
to weight gain in pets. For example, just five extra pounds on a medium size
dog, like a Beagle, is the equivalent of nearly 25 additional pounds on an
average woman. And, for a medium size cat, like a Siamese, four extra pounds
equals 45 additional pounds on an average woman. The PetFit Tour will house
portable weight packs to illustrate for pet owners how this extra weight feels
to their pets.
"With the backing of the AVMA and the exercise tips designed by Gunnar
Peterson, we are arming pet owners with the tools they need to help their dogs
and cats get fit today," said Janet Donlin, DVM, Chief of the Veterinary
Business Channel, Hill's Pet Nutrition. "Proper nutrition and exercise can
help extend the life of a dog or cat, and prevent some of the serious diseases
associated with excessive weight gain. Today, we hope pet owners with the
support of their veterinarians will take the pledge to better the lives of
their own pets."
Additionally, AVMA and Hill's strongly urge pet owners to consult with
their veterinarian to determine the best weight management food and exercise
plan for their pet's needs.
For more information on the PetFit challenge, fitness video and tools
along with the tour schedule, pet owners can visit www.PetFit.com.
About the American Veterinary Medical Association
The AVMA, founded in 1863, is the oldest and largest veterinary medical
organizations in the world, with more than 76,000 member veterinarians are
engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are
dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including
its relationship to animal, human and public health and welfare. Visit
AVMA.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access
up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities.
About Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.
Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Prescription Diet(R) brand pet
foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians, and Science
Diet(R) brand pet foods sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty
stores. Founded more than 55 years ago with a unique commitment to pet
nutrition and well-being, Hill's has never wavered from its mission to help
enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets.
Hill's produces high-quality, great-tasting pet foods owners can trust and
provide to their canine and feline companions as part of a veterinary health
care team recommendation. This ultimately improves patient health and the
health of the practice. For more information on Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. and
Hill's Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition(TM) visit HillsVet.com.
Contact Information
Lisa Giassa
Cohn & Wolfe
Lisa_giassa@cohnwolfe.com
212-798-9776 ext.1
201-406-7690 (cell)

Sharon Granskog
American Veterinary Medical Association
sgranskog@avma.org
847-285-6619
847-280-1273 (cell)

SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.

Lisa Giassa, of Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9776 ext.1, cell - +1-201-406-7690,
Lisa_giassa@cohnwolfe.com; or Sharon Granskog, of American Veterinary Medical
Association, +1-847-285-6619, cell - +1-847-280-1273, sgranskog@avma.org