Even physical fitness guru Jane Fonda (now a senior citizen herself) might benefit from the ingenuity older Harvey Countians use to combine their love of animals with exercise.

There’s Beth who can’t keep pets in her small apartment but has a friend with three dogs and a cat. The friend’s fibromyalgia makes it too painful to walk her large shepherd — but Beth can and does. Several times a week Beth and Sam (the dog) travel a bike path along a large creek. Both Beth and Sam look forward to these outings.

George and his black Lab can be seen early mornings loping along together on a cultivated trail in a three-mile wooded area. George has trained his extremely friendly Lab not to linger too long over interesting scents while both are enjoying the outdoors.

After Jane had bypass surgery, her doctor said she needed to be more active. Just walking was boring to her. However, a boarding facility for horses was near to Jane’s home, and she loves all kinds of animals. She decided to combine need and love and now walks daily to the field where the horses graze with special treats of sugar cubes and apple slices. It’s a win-win situation for both Jane and the animals, and she says, “It doesn’t seem like exercising when you really want to do it.”

Raised on a farm, John missed the companionship and rapport he had with animals after moving to a retirement facility. His wife soon came to his rescue. She became acquainted with a fellow resident who had a dog. Now John walks the dog, pets and feeds it special treats and uses it as a sounding board and silent therapist as he discusses past farming experiences with crops and animals.

Mary Ann volunteers at an animal shelter. She bathes cats and dogs, feeds birds and cleans cages. She exercises those that need it and works to find homes for the abandoned. She works in fund drives and special events associated with the shelter. She files, mails letters and writes thank-you notes. How does Mary Ann physically benefit? She walks to the shelter from her home six blocks away.

No one has kept a record of weight loss, but there’s always a smile on the face of Beth, George, Jane, John, and Mary Ann when they talk of the time they spend with their animals.