Written by Amber Stiens as part of the CSU Honor Blog

When asked what is great about Fort Collins, several things come to mind: the feeling of community, the amazing bike and pedestrian paths, and the accessible transportation are all prominent in this small city. While all of these make a great city, the one thing that stood out to me was all of the dogs in Fort Collins. As a dog owner myself I always take note of a cities’ dog accessibility, and I believe it is safe to say Fort Collins has gone above and beyond to claim dogs as an important part of its community. 

You cannot walk anywhere without running into a dog, and that is very unique. I have lived in twelve different cities and traveled to over 50 countries, but this is the first city where dogs have been this accepted. Walking downtown it is clear why people chose to bring man’s best friend. Dogs can be found shopping with owners, sitting in restaurants, and enjoying the beautiful nature of Fort Collins while on hikes.

When exploring cities, I always try to find nature and animals incorporated into the community. Many cities try to make having a dog accessible, however, due to cultural differences dogs are not always accepted in buildings or public areas. One city I have seen this was Seoul, South Korea. While Koreans do love animals, the city really only makes small dogs welcome and very few places allow animals in stores or historic places. 

There are several outdoor areas similar to Fort Collins, but the overall culture views dogs differently than in Asian communities. Stuttgart, Germany was another big city with a love for animals, however, once again the culture views dogs as an animal not a family member like Americans do. There are few restaurants and stores allowing animals, making taking your dog a struggle. Several other European cities have similar rules about dogs in stores. Of course, there are natural spaces in both of these cities for people and their dogs to enjoy, however, I have seen there is much more acceptance of dogs being in stores and downtown in Fort Collins. 

The public plays a role in making everything accessible for their furry friends, thus resulting in Fort Collins being annually rated among the top dog cities in the United States by several sources including Rocket Real Estate. Finding a good city is always a challenge, but finding a city perfect for both you and your furry best friend is something only a few cities can claim. I know a city takes their dogs seriously when there are four annual events celebrating the dogs of Fort Collins. Having four city implemented dog parks and a website set up through the local government, “fcgov dog parks”, shows how important dogs are to this community. 

Health and nature are taken very seriously in this small city, so it is no surprise that a dog adds to the livelihood of the average Coloradan. Several studies have done research on the impact a dog can have on physical and mental health. It is a no-brainer that people who have dogs are more likely to get the recommended amount of exercise. With the decline of public health, the role of dogs has become more important than ever.

 The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity examined in 2014 the positive relationship between physical health and owning a dog. It was found that even if you normally walked alone or with friends, walking with a dog greatly increases the potential for better physical health. A Veterinary Humanities and Social Sciences Journal in 2021 examined the relationship between dogs and their owner’s mental health.

The site “Visit Fort Collins” has an entire page about where to stay with animals, what breweries and restaurants allow dogs, and trails that are pet friendly. Any question you might have on bringing a dog can easily be found, and in most cases a dog is more than welcome on the adventure. All of these city-wide activities add to the acceptance of dogs and how included they are as members of the community. When visiting local stores and restaurants, you will notice there are dog bowls outside of most downtown businesses and dog treats on most counters around town. 

Overall, coming to Fort Collins has changed my view on what truly makes a city great. Dogs are a part of this community more than I have ever seen in my travels, and it is why I feel so deeply about the positive roles of these furry friends.