by Evelyn Avila

Are you counting down the hours before you can say #TGIF? Is your boss giving you a hard time at work? Are your running late with deadlines? Was your week so hectic that you feel stressed? Planing a getaway with your dog is what you need to help you boost your mental health in only a few hours. YES!!! I said a few hours.

Hiking with your dog in the York Region Forest

The view of the parking area of the trail located on Davis and Kennedy in the York Region north of Aurora, Ontario.

Take your pooch on an early date to a forest area and go for a hike. Your pupStar will love you for taking him to a place where he can run free while enjoying nature. You can even ask a friend to tag alone if you are not into the SOLO activities.

Mylo and Chico my two boxer dogs resting at the open field after a fetch game during summer time.

My favourite place to go is located 45 minutes from Toronto and just 15 minutes from Richmond Hill in the York Region. It is part of the extensive York Region Forest and located north of Davis Rd on Kennedy. {From Toronto take the DVP and continue on the 404 and take Davis exit east }

Mylo, Chico and Andy at the begging of the main trail waiting for the ball. A beautiful place to let the dogs off leash in a safe environment.

The dogs are allowed to be off leash as long as they have good recall. In that area there are about 3 main trails and all of them connect to an open field where you can play fetch. If you arrive and see lots of cars, don not panic, the forest is so big that most likely you wont see any other dog along your hike. I take my dogs Mylo and Chico at least once a week and they LOVE IT! People are really cool and understanding as well, in case you don’t want to have your dog off leash.