Receiving a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can leave people wondering what the future holds. For many, the uncertainty can feel overwhelming, bringing concerns about mobility, fatigue and whether they’ll ever be able to enjoy the activities they love again.

In our recent episode of our Talk Canicross Podcast, we’re joined by two inspiring Canicross runners, Cat Everard and Louise Cowling, who are proving that a diagnosis doesn’t have to define what you’re capable of. They share their individual journeys into Canicross, the challenges of balancing an active lifestyle with MS, and the vital role their dogs and the Canicross community have played in building confidence, resilience and lasting friendships.

Whether you’re living with MS yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for inspiration to get active with your dog, their stories show that Canicross is about much more than running. It’s about finding freedom, discovering a supportive community and focusing on what you can achieve, rather than what you can’t.

Different journeys, same determination

Although Cat and Louise both live with Multiple Sclerosis, the road to diagnosis was very different for each of them.

Louise spent years living with unexplained symptoms before finally receiving her diagnosis more than ten years ago. At the time, she admits her health wasn’t in a great place and exercise wasn’t a priority. Looking back now, she believes discovering Canicross became one of the biggest turning points in improving both her physical fitness and her mental wellbeing.

Cat’s diagnosis came much more suddenly. Already a keen Canicross runner with her Cockapoo, Stanley, she began noticing she was tripping more often during runs. Initially she blamed herself, assuming she’d neglected her strength training. It wasn’t until she experienced severe vision problems, eventually losing sight temporarily in one eye, that she was fast-tracked for tests which confirmed she had MS.

Despite their different experiences, both women reached the same conclusion: staying active became one of the most important ways of managing life with Multiple Sclerosis.

Discovering Canicross

For Louise, everything changed when a friend encouraged her to join a DogFit Couch to 5K Canicross course with DogFit Trainer at the time, Lara. Recovering from a relapse, she wasn’t convinced she’d even be able to complete the programme, but decided to give it a try anyway.

That decision transformed her life.

Running with her Labrador, Maya, gave her a renewed sense of confidence and achievement. Instead of focusing on everything MS had taken away, she began to focus on everything she was still capable of doing.

Cat’s journey was slightly different, as she’d already been Canicrossing for several years before her diagnosis. Rather than stepping away from the sport she loved, she adapted how she trained by introducing strength work, balance exercises and cross-body movements to help improve coordination and reduce falls.

As she explains in the podcast, her mindset shifted from asking, “Can I still do this?” to asking a much more positive question: “How can I keep doing what I love?”

Learning to manage MS while staying active

One of the biggest challenges of living with Multiple Sclerosis is fatigue, and both Cat and Louise explain that it’s very different from the normal tiredness people experience after exercise.

MS fatigue can feel as though someone has “taken the batteries out of your back”, leaving your legs heavy and making even simple tasks feel exhausting. What makes it even harder is that it isn’t always immediate. A hard run or busy weekend might feel manageable at the time, only for symptoms to flare up a day or two later.

Over the years they’ve both learned that managing MS isn’t about stopping exercise – it’s about learning where the line is. Planning recovery days, balancing busy work schedules and accepting that rest is part of training has allowed them to keep doing what they love while looking after their health.

Their advice is simple: exercise isn’t the enemy. Understanding your own body, pacing yourself and allowing time to recover are just as important as the training itself.

The motivation waiting at the front door

If there’s one thing that helps both women get outside on the difficult days, it’s their dogs.

Stanley still waits excitedly every morning, ready for his next adventure, while Maya seems to instinctively know when Louise isn’t feeling her best and naturally adjusts her pace. Dogs don’t care how fast you run, whether you’re having a bad day or if you have to stop and walk. They’re simply happy to be with you.

That unconditional companionship becomes even more important when symptoms make life difficult. On days when fatigue or dizziness keep them at home, both women describe the comfort their dogs provide simply by being there. Whether they’re out on the trails or curled up together on the sofa, that bond offers support in a way that’s difficult to put into words.

From Couch to 5K to Ultra Marathon

Louise’s Canicross journey shows just how much can change with patience and determination.

After completing her DogFit Couch to 5K, she progressed to 10K races, then a half-marathon, before eventually taking on an ultra-marathon through the Welsh mountains with Maya. Just a few years earlier she would never have believed that would be possible.

Cat has achieved some remarkable milestones too. Determined not to let MS define her, she completed a demanding 30-mile run along the Jurassic Coast not long after her diagnosis. More recently, she celebrated Stanley’s tenth birthday by completing ten 10K races together – a fitting way to mark more than a decade of adventures with her faithful running partner.

The strength of the Canicross community

Another theme running throughout the podcast is the incredible sense of community that Canicross creates.

Cat and Louise first connected through Instagram after Louise heard about Cat from DogFit trainer Lara. Although they lived in different parts of the country, they eventually met at a Canicross race, where both they and their dogs instantly hit it off.

They both describe the Canicross community as welcoming, supportive and completely free of judgement. Whether you’re taking your first steps on a Couch to 5K programme or training for an ultra marathon, there’s an immediate sense of belonging because everyone shares the same passion – running with their dogs.

For both women, those shared experiences have grown into genuine friendships that extend well beyond the trails.

Advice for anyone living with MS

For anyone living with Multiple Sclerosis and wondering whether Canicross might be for them, Cat and Louise offer some simple but valuable advice.

Start where you are and don’t worry about pace or distance. Listen to your body and learn what triggers your symptoms, remembering that recovery is just as important as exercise itself. Joining a local DogFit group can also make a huge difference, providing encouragement, practical advice and the motivation that comes from running alongside like-minded people.

Above all, don’t focus on what MS might stop you doing. Focus on what you’re still capable of achieving.

More than a sport

Listening to Cat and Louise, it’s clear that Canicross has become far more than simply running with their dogs. It’s helped them rebuild confidence after diagnosis, improve both their physical and mental wellbeing, and form friendships that continue to support them through life’s challenges.

Most importantly, it has reminded them that while MS may be part of their lives, it doesn’t define who they are. Their stories are a powerful reminder that with sensible training, good support and the unconditional companionship of a dog, it’s possible to keep challenging yourself and enjoying an active, fulfilling life.

If you’re thinking about starting Canicross, DogFit offers beginner-friendly equipment, expert advice and a nationwide network of qualified Trainers who can help you and your dog get started safely.

Useful MS support organisations

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, or you’re supporting someone who has, these organisations provide trusted information, practical advice and dedicated support.

Cat and Louise would particularly like to mention the ones below:

MS UK

MS Society

Follow Cat on Instagram: 

Follow Louise on Instagram

You can also watch our full podcast here, or search for Talk Canicross on your favourite podcast channel.

The post Canicross and MS: More Than Just Running appeared first on Dogfit Blog.

• How Fizz got started in Canicross
• The powerful benefits for both humans and dogs
• What it takes to build a successful Canicross community
• How to approach your first Canicross event with confidence

• Inclusivity – Fizz welcomes all abilities and all types of dogs
• Supportive atmosphere – there is no pressure to perform, it’s about having fun and being part of a like-minded group
• Social element – post-run coffees are the norm, and friendships have been formed beyond running
• Fun training sessions – Fizz includes drills, laughter, and shared experiences: “It’s not all serious – we have a good laugh. That’s what keeps people coming back” says Fizz.

The post From Weekly Runs to Race Day Fun appeared first on Dogfit Blog.

From “I’m Not a Natural Runner” to 5K Success: Moose and Lou

As we celebrate over 10 years of DogFit and the thousands of people we’ve helped start their Canicross journey, there’s nothing more inspiring than hearing from someone who’s lived it.

When we relaunched our enhanced Canicross Beginners 5K Course, we invited Lou to join us on the Talk Canicross podcast to share her experience. What followed was a story about confidence, partnership, unexpected speed… and a Cockapoo called Moose.

You can watch the full episode at the bottom of this blog, however here’s Lou’s journey in blog form – because sometimes it helps to read how it all unfolds.

“I’m a runner… but not a natural one”

Lou describes herself as a runner – but not the effortless kind.

For years she’d battled the usual internal dialogue:

• This is hard.
• I can’t breathe.
• I’m not fast enough.

Like many runners, she stuck with it, joined a supportive running group, and gradually learned to quieten those mental demons. But running still felt like something she had to work at.

Then Moose arrived!

A Cockapoo she hadn’t expected to own (despite being there when he was born!), Moose quickly became more than just a pet. He became her training partner.

The idea of Canicross was first planted by friends at her running club. A quick Google search later, she found DogFit – and reached out for advice on harnesses and kit.

“I was clueless,” she admits. “I didn’t know what I needed.”

Starting with the right equipment and proper guidance gave her the confidence to begin safely – for both her and Moose.

Why she chose the Beginners 5K Course

Even though Lou already ran, she didn’t want to “wing it” with Moose.

Her priorities were simple:

• Keep him safe.
• Avoid injury.
• Learn the right way to build him up.
• Follow proper guidance.

With no local Canicross training available at the time, the flexibility of the online course appealed immediately.

Although the programme is structured over eight weeks, you get access for a year. That flexibility mattered.

“You can revisit week one. You can stay on week two for two months. It fits around your life.”

And life does get in the way – especially when you start a one-year-old dog in May… and then hit a hot summer.

The weather slowed their progress, but instead of quitting, Lou simply adapted. The course allowed them to pause, repeat sessions, and progress when conditions were safe.

No pressure. No deadlines. Just steady progress.

The biggest fear: “Is he going to pull me over?”

One of the most common questions we get from beginners is:
“What if my dog pulls me over?”

Lou had the same worry. Moose was quick off-lead, and she imagined herself face-down in the mud.

In reality?
She’s only fallen once – and that was while standing still on uneven ground!

With the right Canicross kit and gradual training, Moose learned how to work in partnership. The bungee line absorbed sudden movements, and the commands built control and communication. That fear quickly disappeared.

The transformation: From sniffing puppy to focused teammate

Lou recently looked back at her very first training video. Moose, nose down, sniffing everything, had no idea what was going on.

Fast forward to now, and he:

-Knows directional commands.
-Checks in with her.
-Understands the difference between walking and Canicross mode.
-Rarely “messes about” when they’re attached.

“He just seems to know – right, head in the game.”

One of the unexpected bonuses?
The improved communication has carried over into everyday walks. Moose is more tuned in, more responsive, and more connected.

That’s one of the powerful side-effects of training properly: you don’t just build fitness. You build understanding.

“Running feels effortless now”

Perhaps the most surprising part of Lou’s story?

She used to find running hard. But now, when Moose is pulling in front, she says it feels effortless.

“It doesn’t hurt. I don’t feel in pain. I don’t feel like I can’t breathe.”

She talks to him constantly while they run. If she momentarily struggles for breath, Moose turns to check on her.

That partnership – that subtle communication – has changed how she experiences running.

It’s no longer just exercise.
It’s teamwork.

And yes, in race photos they’re both grinning.

“You can’t fake that.”

The 5K that changed everything

When they finished the course, Lou signed up for a local 5K event to mark the occasion.

She had no expectations.

When asked for an estimated finish time on the entry form, she put 40 minutes – just to be safe. They were gridded last.

Then they ran. – They crossed the line in 28 minutes. Lou had to look at her watch twice!

Her personal 5K PB – untouched for six or seven years – had just been smashed.

“That just blew me away.”

But perhaps even more importantly, Moose taught her something else:

She can’t control everything.

If he doesn’t want to pull one day, that’s okay.
If something distracts him, that’s okay. It’s not just her race anymore. And strangely, that’s made her more relaxed as a runner.

From hesitant beginner to event addict

• Since that first 5K, Lou and Moose have:
• Entered multiple Canicross races.
• Completed a fun 10K.
• Joined local Canicross groups.
• Signed up for a full season of races nearby.

She now happily drives 30 minutes to meet other Canicross runners for a four-mile run – something she’d never do alone.

“I never go out thinking I don’t want to run.” That’s the Canicross effect.

Lou’s advice if you’re sitting on the fence

If you’re unsure whether to start the Beginners 5K course, Lou’s message is simple:

“Don’t even think about it. Just sign up.”

-Repeat weeks if you need to.
-Go at your own pace.
-Ignore everyone else’s progress.
-Focus on you and your dog.
-You don’t have to race.
You don’t have to chase times.
You don’t have to be fast.
-You just have to show up.

Because at its heart, Canicross isn’t about competition.

It’s about:

-Building a bond.
-Moving together.
-Having fun.
-Finishing with a kiss and a “thank you” to your dog.

And sometimes, discovering you’re capable of far more than you thought.

Ready to start your own journey?

Our enhanced Canicross Beginners 5K Course is designed to:

-Build fitness safely for you and your dog.

-Teach proper commands and best practice.
-Guide you on temperature safety and welfare.
-Help you progress confidently to your first 5K.

Like Lou and Moose, you might just surprise yourself.

Canicross really does make you happy

You can follow Lou and Moose @mooseandlou_canicrossjourney on Instagram

The post Beginner-5k Success – The DogFit Way appeared first on Dogfit Blog.