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