Southern Utah heat can turn a routine dog walk into a safety concern. The Zoomies Club brings a climate controlled trailer, dog powered slatmills and a wash station directly to local homes, giving energetic dogs another way to move when the pavement is too hot.
ST. GEORGE, Utah — When the zoomies hit, a dog does not care that the afternoon pavement is scorching. The energy still has to go somewhere. That familiar challenge led Shane Hughes to create The Zoomies Club, a mobile exercise and wash service designed around Southern Utah heat, limited space and busy schedules.
The idea started at home. Hughes and his wife, Liliana, were living in an apartment and looking for a practical way to exercise their energetic dog, Ollie. Their solution grew into a custom trailer that brings structured movement and pet care to clients’ driveways.
The dog who inspired the idea
In the canine world, the zoomies are those sudden bursts of running, spinning and playful energy that can appear without warning. Hughes saw how extreme temperatures, small living spaces and demanding schedules could make it difficult for owners to give that energy a safe outlet.
He worked with local businesses to transform an ordinary trailer into a calm, welcoming space where dogs can exercise at their own pace. The result combines fitness equipment with a mobile wash station, all inside a climate controlled environment.
A dog powered workout
At the center of the trailer are specialized slatmills. Unlike a motorized treadmill, a slatmill does not set the pace for the animal. The dog controls the belt and can walk, run or stop whenever it chooses.
That control matters when a dog is learning something new. Hughes said the goal is not to force an immediate sprint, but to help each animal become comfortable with the trailer, the equipment and the person guiding the session.
Confidence comes before speed
“Helping them become familiar with us, the trailer and the equipment, we gradually introduce small wins with encouragement and sometimes toys or treats,” Hughes said.
Some dogs step onto the equipment and begin moving quickly. Others need more time. Hughes stays beside them, using positive reinforcement while they learn how the surface responds to their movement.
That gradual approach makes the first visit less about distance or speed and more about trust. Once a dog understands the equipment, the session can match its natural pace.
More than burning energy
A neighborhood walk remains valuable, but it is limited by weather, route and the owner’s pace. Hughes said a slatmill session lets energetic dogs move more freely while also asking them to focus and coordinate their steps.
Sessions are shaped around the individual dog. A young animal with abundant energy may prefer a quicker pace, while an older dog or a more cautious visitor may settle into a slower rhythm. Hughes said the team watches each dog closely and adjusts the experience to its comfort and confidence.
Exercise and wash service at the door
The trailer pulls up at the client’s residence, reducing the need to load a dog into the car or rearrange an already crowded day. Owners receive an update after each visit.
The Zoomies Club offers recurring memberships for families who want a regular routine, along with flexible individual sessions. The mobile wash option can also be paired with exercise, giving owners another way to simplify their dog care schedule.
Built around the dog
The goal is not to push every dog toward the same workout. Hughes watches each animal’s comfort, energy and confidence, then adjusts the pace and length of the session.
How to learn more
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Mobile exercise and wash visits across Southern Utah.
When your dog gets the zoomies on a scorching Southern Utah afternoon, what is your safest way to help that energy out?
