“Walk A Hound, Lose A Pound”

A Community Dog-Walking Program for Families

Rebecca Johnson, Ph.D., R.N. FAAN, Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing, MU Sinclair School of Nursing;
Director Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction, MU College of Veterinary Medicine
Charlotte McKenney, RN, BSN, Assistant Director Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction
MU College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, Missouri

Introduction: Sample Description: Results:

• One hundred and ninety-eight adults and
The American Heart Association
Variable children registered for a session that consisted of
includes physical inactivity as one of
N=69 four weekly Saturday morning walks.
the major modifiable risk factors for
heart disease and stroke. Research • Sixty-nine adults signed inform ed consent.
shows the benefits of people walking Age (years) 19-85 43 Mean
• No significant changes in blood pressure or
dogs to lose weight and maintain Range 16.4 SD weight.
active lifestyles.

Specific Aims: Gender Male 12 18% • Spent the hour walking, petting and socializing
with the dogs.
Female 57 82%
• To prom ote an increase in physical activity • Walked longer than one hour.
among children and adults through a Married Yes 38 55%
• Returned for subsequent sessions to walk.
community dog-walking project. No 31 45%
• Completed volunteer training at the animal
• To provide education about nutrition and shelter.
the health benefits of walking. Education level High School 26 38%
• To discern whether or not participating in College 43 62% • Physical Activity and Stage of Change
the dog walking would stim ulate more •Level 4: Vigorous exercise less than 3 times
physical activity outside of the program. Reported health problems Depression 10 15% per week or moderate exercise less than 5
Headache 5 7% times per week.

Program Implementation: Anxiety 4 5% •Level 5: Moderate exercise 30 m inutes a day

5 or more days per week for the last 1-5
• Adults and families with children participated Pet owner Yes 48 70% months.
in weekly (Saturday m orning) one-hour walks No 21 30% • Participants reported “that it feels good being
with shelter dogs for exercise. able to help the dogs get exercise, socialize with
• Shelter dogs were selected based on their Physical Activity Pre 1-8 4.8 Mean people and with dogs.”
adoptability, amicable personality and ability to and Stage of Change Range 1.98 SD
be walked. (higher scores mean greater Post 1-8 5.25 Mean
• Participants were led through a group warm - readiness to exercise) Range 2.01 SD
up exercise sequence and walked on a
graveled nature trail. P=0.0013 Conclusions:
• Educational inform ation on nutrition and
physical activity was provided. • The program has been successful in giving
• Demographic inform ation was collected in adults and families with children a way to
addition to exercise stage of change, weekly increase their physical activity and spend
exercise history, blood pressure, weight and time interacting with each other.
body mass index.
• Attendance of each participant over the
• Participants reported being more aware of
options at home for increased physical
program period was trac ked.
activity, by walking, running or doing yard
and household cleaning projects.