The University of Hong Kong   A study on "The health-related benefits of dog walking"

The following organizations are kindly supporting us in this study, but we need your help too

 

中文

 

CAN YOU PLEASE BE PART OF AN EXCITING NEW STUDY ABOUT DOGS? WE NEED EXISTING AND NEW OWNERS.

We URGENTLY need your help to be part of this study. If you love dogs and if you (1) already have a dog, or (2) you are about to adopt or buy a new dog, then you can probably join our study. READ ON.

Background : What measurements : Why volunteer : Benefits : Who can join : How to join : Study approved : Study team/contacts

 

Background to the study.

Why are were studying the benefits of owning a dog? Don't we already know dogs are good for our health?

Actually - NO! There have been no well-designed research studies that have examined if owning a dog causes any clear benefit to your physical or mental health.

Three studies in Australia and the USA have suggested that owing a dog can decrease your chances of being overweight or obese, and can increase the amount of walking dog owners do a week by about 20-40 minutes. But these studies have had important limitations and the results are not as clear as it seems.

Our study is the first in the world to attempt to measure the health benefits of owning a dog by asking some simple questions before and after you own a dog (plus a few other measurements), and is also going to measure the habits of existing dog owners.

What does the study measure? There are now two parts to our study.
Part 1: Activity habits of existing dog owners
Part 2: Health benefits of new dog owners

Part 1: If you are an existing dog owner - read on.
We urgently need existing dog owners to undertake:

• A short interview (at home or any other place)
• To wear a small motion-detector for up to 7 days
• To wear a small GPS monitor whenever you walk your dog

Part 2: If you are about to get a new dog, there are 3 phases:

1. Before you get the dog we need to ask a small number of questions (5-10 minute interview where ever it suits you best: at home, work, in a park etc).

• We will also like you to wear a very small motion-detector for a number of days around your waist (it is very comfortable and the size of a very small pager), so we can measure your normal activity habits.

2. About 2 weeks AFTER you get the new dog, we would like to visit you again (at home or any other place) to ask you some more detailed questions (about 15 minutes) about how owning a dog has changed your life.

• We will also ask you to wear the motion-detector again, plus a really-cool (and really small) GPS monitor whenever you walk your dog so that we can measure the distance you normally walk your dog.

3. We will repeat Step-2 again after about 8 weeks of you owning a new dog to see if your habits have changed any more.

THAT IS IT. All very simple.

 

Why should I volunteer?

Because we hope to be able to show the scientific community and the Government, that owning a dog has important health benefits. This may help convince Governments that more safe and "dog-friendly" places be provided to dog owners so they can walk their dogs more easily.

This will benefits the dogs (they get more exercise), and you (your health may improve too)

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What is the benefit to me?

In addition to helping an important scientific study that needs you to show dogs can improve our health, we will also give you:

Part 1: For existing dog owners: HK$200 for an interview; to wear a small motion-sensor, and a small GPS monitor when walking your dog.

Part 2: For those new dog owners in Part 2:

• HK$100 for phase 1
• HK$100 for phase 2
• HK$100 for phase 3
• A souvenir HKU travel clock, calculator, alarm
• Entry into a "lucky draw" to win HK$1,000

Who can be part of this study?

Any adult (18yr or older) who speaks English or Cantonese
If you already own a dog you can join the first part (Part 1) of the study only.

But for Part 2 of the study, you must NOT currently own a dog, but will own one in the near future (1-2 weeks or months)

How can I join the study? Please email Joyce on JOYCECLY@HKU.HK

Has this study been approved?

Yes - we have already got formal Ethical Approval from the Ethics Committee at Hong Kong University

Who is involved in this study?

The study is being coordinated by Dr Duncan Macfarlane, Associate Professor in the Institute of Human Performance at HKU. email: DJMAC@HKU.HK

The main contact person is Joyce, HKU MPhil student, who speaks English and Chinese and can be emailed on JOYCECLY@HKU.HK

Several people/teams are supporting him - including a research student (Joyce) and the following important organisations (please support them too):

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA - HK) - Special thanks to the SPCA Chief Executive (Sandy Macalister), Dr Fiona Woodhouse, Queeny, and Patty.

Hong Kong Dog Rescue - Special thanks to Sally Anderson

Companion Animal Federation - Special thanks to Samantha

Whiskers N Paws - Special thanks to Vada

Hill's Pet Nutrition - Special thanks to Dr Brad Easton and Carmen

STOP - Special thanks to Brooke Babington

 

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