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Dog-Walking: Motivation for Adherence to a Walking Program

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca A. Johnson

    (University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA, rajohnson@missouri.edu)

  • Richard L. Meadows

    (University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA)

Abstract

Healthy People 2010 cited walking as a major health indicator; however, adherence is challenging, especially among those with multiple chronic illnesses. Studies suggest that walking one’s own dog may motivate adherence. However, no research has studied whether walking a “loaner†dog may facilitate adherence. Using a pretest—posttest design, the authors studied adherence to and outcomes of a graduated walking program when 26 public housing residents walked certified therapy dogs with a handler. Participants walked 20 minutes, 5 days/week, for 26 or 50 weeks. In all, 13 participants in the 50-week group had a mean adherence rate of 72% and weight loss of 14.4 pounds ( p = .013). Thirteen participants in the 26-week group had a mean adherence rate of 52% and weight loss of 5 pounds (nonsignificant). Participants’ most commonly stated reason for adherence was that the dogs “need us to walk them.†Commitment to a dog that is not one’s own may effectively facilitate physical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca A. Johnson & Richard L. Meadows, 2010. "Dog-Walking: Motivation for Adherence to a Walking Program," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 19(4), pages 387-402, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:clnure:v:19:y:2010:i:4:p:387-402
    DOI: 10.1177/1054773810373122
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ståhl, T. & Rütten, A. & Nutbeam, D. & Bauman, A. & Kannas, L. & Abel, T. & Lüschen, G. & Rodriquez, Diaz J. A. & Vinck, J. & van der Zee, J., 2001. "The importance of the social environment for physically active lifestyle -- results from an international study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Crimmins, Eileen M. & Saito, Yasuhiko, 2001. "Trends in healthy life expectancy in the United States, 1970-1990: gender, racial, and educational differences," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 52(11), pages 1629-1641, June.
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    1. Das, Bhibha M. & Sartore-Baldwin, Melanie L., 2019. "Development of a logic model for a service learning, dog walking course for college students," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1-1.

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