Celebrity fitness trainer and owner of four dogs, Gunnar Peterson has trained stars like Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Gwen Stefani, to name a few, and now he is taking on a new species-- canines and felines! He has developed a unique fitness program and video designed to help people and pets get in shape together. The program is designed for people and pets of all ages, sizes and fitness levels and available for free on www.petfit.com .

The video is part of a bigger program created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Alliance for Healthier Pets & Hill?s. It is a first-of-its-kind joint initiative to help fight the growing obesity epidemic in cats and dogs. As its first order of business, AVMA issued a pledge to help pets lose 50 million pounds in 2008 through various interactive programs and tools to educate and engage both pet owners and veterinarians.

2008 PetFit Challenge?the Search for America ?s Fittest Pets: Pet owners are challenged to make a commitment to improve the lifestyle of their pets through proper nutrition and exercise. Pet owners can submit their success stories via a 100-word essay and a before and after photo. Five cats and five dogs will be selected as finalists and travel to New York City for a live judging event hosted by Gunnar Peterson. One cat and one dog will be named America ?s Fittest Pet.

2008 PetFit Tour: An interactive experience designed to educate pet owners on proper nutrition and exercise for their pets. The tour includes a hands-on learning center staffed by veterinary technicians that allows the pet owner to feel the weight of a few extra pounds on a pet, see the impact of feeding a pet human food and learn how to assess the body type of their pets. In addition, the tour includes a pop-up fitness center where a personal trainer will conduct people and pet fitness classes based on the Gunnar Peterson video. For a complete tour schedule, visit www.petfit.com.  

The Facts About Pet Obesity 
- 48 million U.S. cats and dogs are overweight or obese ? 35 percent of the total pet population 
- More than 70 percent of pet owners give treats to pets ? 42 percent share ?people food? 
- Pet obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and a shortened life expectancy

Human to Pet Equivalencies
Treat Translator 
- One ounce of cheddar cheese for a 20 pound dog is equal to a human eating one and a half hamburgers or one and a half chocolate bars 
- One cup of milk for a 10 pound cat is equal to a human eating four and a half hamburgers or five chocolate bars
Weight Gain 
- One extra pound on a Chihuahua is equal to 38 pounds on an average woman 
- Four extra pounds on a Siamese cat is equal to 45 pounds on an average woman