Modern Dog Magazine propels the LIGHTWALKER belt to light the way in international markets. 

The Winter 2011 issue of Modern Dog Magazine features its anticipated "The Ultimate Gift Guide" and the LIGHTWALKER is included in this prestigious list on page 58.  The items were especially selected by the editor, who writes:  "Nighttime walks just got a whole lot safer, easier, and more fun.....keeps your hands free and the terrain and your dog illuminated."

When Modern Dog Magazine hit the stands on December 1st, the LIGHTWALKER store only sold the belts in the USA.  The Magazine's wide appeal and international distribution generated new interest from customers in the UK, Germany and Canada. 

When Bev wrote:  "we have nothing like it here in the UK,"   Lisa from Canada emailed that she wants to give it to a friend for Christmas so that she can be safer walking 3 dogs, and Janine wrote: "Please ship to Germany!!"  Accessories L.A., the only company that sells the belt in the world, realized the LIGHTWALKER needed to expand its reach.  "In the last week, we have updated the online store to accommodate orders from the UK, Canada and Germany," says creator Sonia Alvarado.  The shipping & handling rate is pretty much our cost.

The LIGHTWALKER is the only belt worn around the waist with 18 LED bulbs that lights the path from 1-40 feet.  It comes in two adjustable sizes designed to fit most men and women.  It's an alternative to wearing a headlamp or carrying a flashlight.  Wearing the light around the waist provides more stability, the light beam is closer to the ground, it's more comfortable, doesn't disturb the hair, or blind your walking companion like a light on the forehead.  When holding a dog leash and walking stick, there's no free hand for a flashlight, hands-free lighting is a better option.  

The LIGHTWALKER belt was originally designed for dog walking, but it's also used as a utility and emergency light, a running, hiking and camping light.  It's even a holiday shopping light!  When the creator of the LIGHTWALKER was trying to make a final purchase at a department store last Sunday night, they announced that the store was closing and shut off the lights in the linen department.  Sonia quickly reached into her purse and took out her LIGHTWALKER to find the blanket she was looking for.  Whatever the use, time is running out to order the LIGHTWALKER belt as a Christmas gift.

The LIGHTWALKER belt lights the way for dog lovers, “trick or treaters” and cancer crusaders.

What started out as a safety accessory for dog walking in dark places, has surprised the creators as its popularity spreads into new markets.

It all started when Sonia Alvarado had her hands full walking her 4 dogs.   Unable to see the hazards lurking on her neighborhood sidewalks, she twisted her ankle.   Without a free hand to hold a flashlight, walking the dogs in the evening was stressful and dangerous.

Twisting her ankle inspired her to find a solution – that same night; she envisioned a belt that would light the ground.  After an all-night search at the computer, unable to find exactly the kind of belt she wanted, she set out to create it herself.  Two days later, her sister Sandra, helped to test a prototype in the backyard.  That was the birth of the LIGHTWALKER belt and Accessories LA, the company behind it.

When the sisters exhibited the belt at a Pet Expo they were surprised to find that the first enthusiastic customers were security guards who needed the belts for their night patrols.  There were also horseback riders, hikers, runners and bikers who bought the LIGHTWALKER belts.

Then a friend who lost her mother to cancer suggested they make a pink belt in honor of breast cancer crusaders who walk for two days raising money and awareness to fight the disease.  That’s when the pink belt was born.  In honor of October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the sisters will donate a dollar to a breast cancer charity for each pink belt sold.  The buyers determine which charities receive the donations. 

The new orange “Halloween” belt for children was requested by a customer and will make its debut at booth 503 at the San Diego Pet Expo, in Del Mar, California October 15 and 16.

“There are so many new uses for our belts; it’s very exciting to discover them.  We’re now looking at emergency preparedness opportunities.  Having experienced the Northridge earthquake firsthand, I keep my belt on the nightstand, just in case,” says Sonia.

The LightWalker  is a new fashionable and practical belt originally designed for dog lovers to feel safer when they walk their dogs in dark places.  It features a bright, battery-operated LED lamp with 18 bulbs, and comes in different colors and sizes for women and men.   The belt can be worn over a T-shirt or a jacket. 

Sonia credits Ellen DeGeneres and her jokes about inventions in helping to awaken the inventor in her.  From Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer,” she learned that dogs need to walk every day.  The creativity and entrepreneurial spirit was fueled by Sonia’s previous job as a 3-time Emmy Award winning producer of a small business show on KTLA, Channel 5.

“When I look out the window and see my neighbor roller blading by with his three dogs wearing a LIGHTWALKER belt, it makes me smile.”   We are lighting the night one belt at a time.

Two sisters in Los Angeles wanted to feel safer when walking their dogs at night so they created a hands-free alternative to carrying a flashlight.  Their new LIGHTWALKER belt with a bright 18-LED lamp lights the path for more than just dog walkers.  It is helpful for anyone walking in the dark, for runners and a great safety light for emergencies like power outages and earthquakes.

Check out the photos at the link below

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/03/prweb5159984.htm

 We want to thank Wendy Bumgardner for taking the time to review the LightWalker belt on her great walking forum.  Here is the link.

http://walking.about.com/b/2011/03/13/hands-free-lightwalker-light-belt.htm

Come see us at the Rose Bowl, Feb. 13th 2011.

You can buy your LIGHTWALKER and save on shipping & handling.

January 7th - introducing the brightest LIGHTWALKER belt yet.  The belt includes a lamp with 18 white LEDs.  The lamp tilts so you can light near your feet or up ahead.  It is powered by only 3 AAA batteries and it's energy-efficient.