Dog Walking Research Articles

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on human-nature interactions: Pathways, evidence and implications.

The coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic and the global response have dramatically changed people's lifestyles in much of the world. These major changes, as well as the associated changes in impacts on the environment, can alter the dynamics of the direct interactions between humans and nature (hereafter human–nature interactions) far beyond those concerned with animals as sources of novel human coronavirus infections. There may be a variety of consequences for both people and nature.Here, we suggest a conceptual framework for understanding how the COVID‐19 pandemic might affect the dynamics of human–nature interactions. This highlights three different, but not mutually exclusive, pathways: changes in (a) opportunity, (b) capability and (c) motivation.Through this framework, we also suggest that there are several feedback loops by which changes in human–nature interactions induced by the COVID‐19 pandemic can lead to further changes in these interactions such that the impacts of the pandemic could persist over the long term, including after it has ended.The COVID‐19 pandemic, which has had the most tragic consequences, can also be viewed as a ‘global natural experiment’ in human–nature interactions that can provide unprecedented mechanistic insights into the complex processes and dynamics of these interactions and into possible strategies to manage them to best effect. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Association between pet ownership and sleep in the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS)

Preliminary findings suggest that pets may impact the owner’s sleep. By using data from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bIoimage Study (SCAPIS) cohort, we aimed to investigate the association of pet ownership with the following self-reported sleep outcomes in 3788 to 4574 participants: (i) achieving the recommended daily sleep duration for adults (i.e., at least 7 h per day); (ii) sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (a score of > 5 indicating poor sleep quality); and (iii) difficulty falling or staying asleep. Sleep metrics were not associated with pet ownership, dog ownership, and dog walking when controlling the logistic regression for possible confounders (e.g., shift work, lack of social interaction, and chronic stress). In contrast, cat ownership was associated with a higher odds ratio of failing to achieve the recommended duration of 7 h of sleep per day (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]:1.18 [1.02, 1.37] versus non-cat owners). Our findings suggest that certain pet groups might have a more significant impact on the owner’s sleep than others. As the observed association between cat ownership and short sleep duration might be a chance finding, this observation should be seen as hypothesis-generating only.

Exploring human-nature interactions in national parks with social media photographs and computer vision.

Understanding the activities and preferences of visitors is crucial for managing protected areas and planning conservation strategies. Conservation culturomics promotes the use of user-generated online content in conservation science. Geotagged social media content is a unique source of in situ information on human presence and activities in nature. Photographs posted on social media platforms are a promising source of information, but analyzing large volumes of photographs manually remains laborious. We examined the application of state-of-the-art computer-vision methods to studying human-nature interactions. We used semantic clustering, scene classification, and object detection to automatically analyze photographs taken in Finnish national parks by domestic and international visitors. Our results showed that human-nature interactions can be extracted from user-generated photographs with computer vision. The different methods complemented each other by revealing broad visual themes related to level of the data set, landscape photogeneity, and human activities. Geotagged photographs revealed distinct regional profiles for national parks (e.g., preferences in landscapes and activities), which are potentially useful in park management. Photographic content differed between domestic and international visitors, which indicates differences in activities and preferences. Information extracted automatically from photographs can help identify preferences among diverse visitor groups, which can be used to create profiles of national parks for conservation marketing and to support conservation strategies that rely on public acceptance. The application of computer-vision methods to automatic content analysis of photographs should be explored further in conservation culturomics, particularly in combination with rich metadata available on social media platforms.

Examining Obedience Training as a Physical Activity Intervention for Dog Owners: Findings from the Stealth Pet Obedience Training (SPOT) Pilot Study.

Dog training may strengthen the dog–owner bond, a consistent predictor of dog walking behavior. The Stealth Pet Obedience Training (SPOT) study piloted dog training as a stealth physical activity (PA) intervention. In this study, 41 dog owners who reported dog walking ≤3 days/week were randomized to a six-week basic obedience training class or waitlist control. Participants wore accelerometers and logged dog walking at baseline, 6- and 12-weeks. Changes in PA and dog walking were compared between arms with targeted maximum likelihood estimation. At baseline, participants (39 ± 12 years; females = 85%) walked their dog 1.9 days/week and took 5838 steps/day, on average. At week 6, intervention participants walked their dog 0.7 more days/week and took 480 more steps/day, on average, than at baseline, while control participants walked their dog, on average, 0.6 fewer days/week and took 300 fewer steps/day (difference between arms: 1.3 dog walking days/week; 95% CI = 0.2, 2.5; 780 steps/day, 95% CI = −746, 2307). Changes from baseline were similar at week 12 (difference between arms: 1.7 dog walking days/week; 95% CI = 0.6, 2.9; 1084 steps/day, 95% CI = −203, 2370). Given high rates of dog ownership and low rates of dog walking in the United States, this novel PA promotion strategy warrants further investigation.

A study protocol for a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a dog-facilitated physical activity minimal intervention on young children\u2019s physical activity, health and development: the PLAYCE PAWS trial

BackgroundPet ownership brings many health benefits to individuals. In children developmental benefits can extend to improved self-esteem, better social competence and decreased loneliness. The majority of households with children own a dog, however only a small proportion of children gain the benefits of dog ownership through dog walking and play. There are few intervention studies investigating the impact of dog-facilitated physical activity in children. The PLAYCE PAWS study aims to test a minimal-contact intervention through the use of mobile health (“mhealth”) strategies, i.e. text (SMS) messages, to parents to encourage their children to walk and play with their dog more, and evaluate the impact on children’s overall physical activity and development.Methods/designThe PLAYCE PAWS intervention study will target parents in dog-owning families with children aged 5 to 8 years in Perth, Western Australia. Approximately 150 dog-owning parents and children will be randomly allocated into either one of two intervention groups or a ‘usual care’ control group. The first intervention group will receive SMS messages over 4 weeks to encourage and prompt parents to undertake dog walking and dog play with their child. The second intervention group will receive the same text messages, plus a dog pedometer and personalised ‘dog steps’ diary for their child to complete. Parent-reported outcome measures include changes in children’s dog walking and play, overall physical activity, socio-emotional development, self-regulation, self-esteem, empathy, and level of attachment to their dog.DiscussionThe PLAYCE PAWS study appears to be the first to examine the effectiveness of a low-cost, mhealth intervention for increasing young children’s physical activity through dog walking and play. Given the high prevalence of dogs as family pets, this study presents a valuable opportunity to investigate if mHealth interventions encourage children to walk and play with their dog more, and if there are any associated impact on children’s overall physical activity and socio-emotional well-being. If effective, a larger trial or program could be implemented at low-cost and with wide reach in the community.Trial registrationANZCTR, ACTRN12620000288921. Registered 4th March 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

Speaking for the trees: a study of the relationship between discourse, power and organisational culture in competing constructions of nature

ABSTRACT In order to demonstrate the effects of competing constructions of nature by different interest groups, this article describes a dispute in Cape Town, South Africa, through the lens of cultural theory and Foucault’s notion of discourse linked to power. Controversy arose over the felling of a small plantation of non-indigenous pine trees, situated amidst indigenous “fynbos” vegetation in a suburban park. The matter was adjudicated in the Western Cape Division of the South African High Court, and subsequently in the Supreme Court of Appeal. The case turned on the meaning of public power and the affected community’s right to be heard. During argumentation the scientifically framed and institutionally supported discourse of the conservation entity was pitched against the symbolically oriented discourse of a community action group representing ramblers, joggers, horse riders, and dog walkers. The analysis focuses on how opposing arguments were shaped by perspectives of what nature, in the context of a suburban park, should look like and the purpose it should serve. The study shows how the dominant discourse of nature, rooted in the assumed supremacy of science and expert knowledge, was challenged by a multivalent and contextually moulded discourse of nature as amenity.

Make a fence

Make a fence Jessica Jacobs (bio) said the rabbis, around the Torah. And this worldis lousy with them. More than we can counton our dog walk alone: chainlink and stone and white wooden pickets. Fences to keep people's bad barking dogsin, to keep our bad barking dog out. His nostrils flaringwide as a twirled skirt as he reads the tales of past passersby on fences that mark what is another's burden, another'sprivilege to tend, and what is open to the traffic of strangers.Called before the Torah, a reader tracks the cramped letters with a yad, a metal pointer topped by a tiny pointing hand.If it feels colder than the air, it's because silver stealsyour body's heat, this tool to keep your place, to keep you in your place, to keep you from marring even a single sacred letter.This, one fence among many: Do not bring the Torahin the bathroom, do not sit beside it on a bench, do not stand before it naked (lest you be buried naked, stripped of all the good you did).But sometimes barriers grow so large it's hard to seewhat they're protecting. And here is the fig tree yearning past its yard, reaching toward the walk with its fat-fingered leaves.Here, the arbor propping branches slumped as the shouldersof a weary giant—yet under its hunch, an exuberance of mulberries. There, the yellow house whose bramble is more than worth its thorns:rops of ink dripping from the branches, the blackberries call usto make a quill of our tongues. Let every fence in my mind have a gate. One with an easy latch and well-oiled hinges. Our neighborsurge us to indulge—There's more than we can possibly eat—sohere, love, is fruit with the sun still inside it. Let me thumb the juice from your chin. Let us honor what we love by taking it in. [End Page 161] Jessica Jacobs jessica jacobs is the author of Take Me with You, Wherever You're Going, winner of the Devil's Kitchen and Goldie Awards, and Pelvis with Distance, winner of the New Mexico Book Award. Chapbook editor for Beloit Poetry Journal, she coauthored Write It! 100 Poetry Prompts to Inspire with her wife, Nickole Brown. Copyright © 2021 Center for the Study of the American South

Pawcasso by Remy Lai

Reviewed by: Pawcasso by Remy Lai Kiri Palm Lai, Remy Pawcasso; written and illus. by Remy Lai. Holt, 2021 [240p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781250774484 $21.99 Paper ed. ISBN 9781250774491 $14.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-6 Jo is enduring a lonely summer, so when a boring Saturday is interrupted by the sight of a dog walking into town carrying a basket, she simply has to follow him. She discovers that every week this peaches-and-cream mutt travels solo from shop to shop with a list and money in his basket, snagging treats and pats while picking up essentials for his family. But where does this cute and clever pup live? And how did he learn to shop on his own? Jo’s sleuthing quickly draws the attention of other locals, who assume that the canine she’s trailing is her own. It turns out there are advantages to being the owner of the coolest dog in town, whom she’s dubbed “Pawcasso, ” and Jo suddenly finds herself surrounded by friends, fans, and free ice cream. She knows lying is wrong, but she can keep it up for just a couple more weeks before the neighborhood grouch reports leashless Pawcasso to the city council and Pawcasso’s real family finds out, right? Author/illustrator Lai’s (Fly on the Wall, BCCB 9/20) newest graphic novel takes the well-known trope of a snowballing lie and adds dashes of art history and neighborhood mystery to keep it fresh. Overall-clad Jo is shy and hungry for friendship, her frustrations over family leading her to moral compromises she wouldn’t normally make. Titular Pawcasso is all fluff and sass, sweet-tempered enough to sit as model for a kids’ art class and mischievous enough to repeatedly roll in poop (and right after a bath). It’s no wonder why the ire of grumpy Mr. Iccc over Pawcasso’s unsupervised wandering draws so much attention, leading to a town-wide petition for Pawcasso’s freedom and a schism between the pup-supporting Picassos and the law-abiding Duchamps. Readers will delight in the ups and downs of Jo’s journey and fall for both her and her canine pal. Copyright © 2021 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

КОНТАМИНАЦИЯ ПОЧВЫ ЯЙЦАМИ ТОКСОКАР В ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНОМ АДМИНИСТРАТИВНОМ ОКРУГЕ Г. МОСКВЫ

The article presents the results of the study of soils of socially significant objects (territories of preschool children's institutions, institutions of general secondary education, individual households, parks, squares, playgrounds and areas for walking dogs, etc.) in the Southern Administrative District of Moscow for contamination with eggs of toxocar. Seeding rate in preschool children's institutions amounted to 9%, general secondary education institutions – 18,1, construction sites – 50, playgrounds – 51, parks and squares – 75 and dog walking sites – 100%. On average, 51,4% of positive samples were detected in the district. To prevent infection with toxocariasis among people, it is advisable to strengthen the complex of sanitary and epidemiological and anti-epizootic measures aimed at controlling the number of stray dogs and cats, regular examination and deworming of domestic animals, determining places for walking dogs, increasing sanitary and educational work among the population, especially among parents and owners of animals.

Designing Slow Cities for More Than Human Enrichment: Dog Tales—Using Narrative Methods to Understand Co-Performative Place-Making

Designing for slow cities and the need to design for future urban environments that include the more than human is a major priority for our times. This position paper problematizes the nature–culture divide in research about place and place-making, where place is understood to be about the sense of meaning we layer on locations in the physical world. It emphasizes the importance of narrative identity and place-making in the context of designing for urban environmental futures and creation of slow cities. We present an overview of a methodology to re-emplace place-making with animals in the context of slow cities and designing for the more than human. The work discussed here explores the use of narrative inquiry with some early narrative data (in the form of stories) about dog walks and those moments where our companion animals demonstrate agentic place-based meaning-making. The problem of understanding “what animals want” and how they make might ”make sense” of an experience is approached via a focus on a rich exemplar case in order to distinguish between emplotment (narrative meaning-making as self) and emplacement (narrative meaning-making as an aspect of place). This is used to create a framework for future evaluation with a view to revealing how “more than human stories”—just like our own familiar human stories—are also about agency and meaning in place. This recognition has import for ways in which we might approach decentring the human when we frame urban design activities.

Attention All Dog Owners! Do You Want to Adhere to a Healthy New Year’s Resolution? A Commentary on Dog Walking for Physical Activity and Health

Every year, millions of Americans and Canadians pledge to become more physically active as part of their New Year’s Resolution, only to ultimately fizzle by the end of three months or less. Although the benefits of physical activity (PA) are understood universally, the majority of Americans and Canadians do not meet the recommended PA guidelines. Exercise, which is more planned and structured, has been robustly promoted for years. More recently research has indicated that many adults prefer a more realistic, natural, and enjoyable way of moving through lifestyle PA, such as walking. Walking is inexpensive and can be carried out just about anywhere at a variety of intensities such as strolling, walking, brisk walking, and power walking. The probability of meeting the PA guidelines is four times greater with dog walking owners. Our recent research demonstrates lack of time, whether real or perceived, is the major barrier to PA, and that there is a widely held belief that other obligations and responsibilities are more important. In addition, affective motivators such as “feeling good and happier afterwards” was indicated as a preferred motivator towards physical activity. Consequently, specific intervention strategies need to be implemented where adults can realistically partake in lifestyle PA. If people’s preferences for lifestyle PA consists of taking care of their dogs, and knowing the health benefits derived from walking, it stands to reason that promoting dog walking is an effective way to encourage more people to participate in PA.

Veterinary-prescribed physical activity promotes walking in healthy dogs and people

BackgroundRegular physical activity (PA) promotes health and can prevent and treat diseases among both humans and dogs. Unfortunately, most U.S. adults do not meet PA recommendations, and many dogs are also insufficiently active. Veterinary-prescribed PA programs have shown some success in increasing activity among overweight dogs, but the impacts of such programs have not yet been tested for efficacy among otherwise-healthy dogs and owners. In addition, although wearable devices that monitor PA and provide individuals with feedback (e.g., progress toward a daily step goal) can effectively increase human PA, it is unclear what impact similar wearable devices have on human and dog PA when the PA-monitoring devices are worn by dogs. The present study assessed the impact of an 8-week veterinary-prescribed PA program on activity and health among dogs and their owners, and randomized participants (n = 59) to two groups: one in which PA was measured but not visible to participants (n = 30), and one in which PA was measured and real time feedback was visible through a wearable device (n = 29).ResultsParticipants in both groups showed significant PA increases over the course of the 8-week program. Biomedical testing performed at the veterinary clinic facilitated early diagnosis of systemic illness in one human participant. The frequency of hypertension in human participants decreased significantly from baseline to the end of the program (week 8). Other health indices (e.g., BMI in humans, body weight and BCS in dogs) improved, albeit not to a statistically significant extent, over the course of the program. There were no significant differences on the outcomes of interest between the two experimental conditions.ConclusionsVeterinary-prescribed PA programs appear promising for increasing PA among insufficiently active but otherwise healthy dogs as well as their owners. Additional testing of veterinary-prescribed PA is warranted, particularly at other types of veterinary clinics (e.g., private practices). Incorporating wearable devices permitting owners to track canine PA did not appear necessary for obtaining these benefits; however, additional studies investigating alternative devices or different time periods may be warranted.

The Dog Walkers

Images from series 'The Dog Walkers'.

Why Do People Undergo THR and What Do They Expect to Gain-A Comparison of the Views of Patients and Health Care Professionals.

Little concerted effort has been made to understand why individuals undergo total hip replacement (THR) surgery and their rehabilitation goals. Similarly, insight of views and perspective of health care professionals’ (HCPs) regarding surgery and what objective measures help them with decision-making is lacking. This patient and public involvement report aimed to explore both patients’ and HCPs’ perspectives of THR surgery. Twenty patients, 10 pre-THR, 10 post-THR, 9 physiotherapists, and 6 surgeons took part. Results suggest a consensus among patients and HCPs on pain reduction being the main reason for undergoing THR. The inability to carry out simple daily activities such as dog walking and sleep deprivation had a significant effect on patients’ mental and physical well-being. This article is the first to explore the views of THR patients and HCPs on reasons behind THR surgery amalgamated into a single report. As walking is important, wearable activity monitors are suggested as a possible motivator to enhance patient compliance to self-care rehabilitation and increase quality of life. A future research project on the use of such wearable activity monitors in enhancing mobility post-THR is therefore planned.

Neighborhood Engagement, Dogs, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adulthood.

This study examined the relationships between dog ownership, dog walking, and the emotional bond with a dog to neighborhood engagement and life satisfaction among those over age 50. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 476), two path analysis models were conducted to test the research hypotheses. Findings indicated that dog ownership did not have a direct or indirect relationship on life satisfaction. However, time spent in dog walking was associated with frequency of social interactions, which itself had a positive association with life satisfaction. The bond with a dog was not directly associated with life satisfaction but was associated with dog walking. Dog walking is a promising strategy for simultaneously promoting better health and social engagement, and these factors in turn can promote greater life satisfaction of older adults.

A Survey of Ticks Infesting Dogs and Cats in Ireland.

Simple SummaryTicks are important ectoparasites of companion animals not only causing localised skin damage, but are also vectors for a variety of pathogens. Veterinarians submitted ticks found on dogs and cats during routine examination for identification and completed a short questionnaire. A total of 120 ticks were submitted and we found that Ixodes ricinus, the sheep/castor bean tick, was the most abundant species on dogs while Ixodes hexagonus, the hedgehog tick, was the most abundant species on cats. Although most veterinary practitioners indicated that ticks were a concern to their clients, at the same time neither vets nor their clients were particularly concerned about tick-borne diseases in their animals. Interviews of dog walkers in the greater Dublin area indicate that pet owners are well aware of the presence of ticks in their surroundings. The loss of efficacy of some ectoparasiticides flagged by many pet owners requires further investigation.Ticks are important ectoparasites of dogs and cats. Infestations can result in itching and localised dermatitis. In addition, ticks can act as vector of a range of viral, bacterial and protozoal pathogens. This paper reports the results of a nationwide survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats in Ireland. Seventy veterinary practices submitted a total of 120 ticks collected from 56 dogs and 16 cats. Ixodes ricinus was the most abundant species on dogs while Ixodes hexagonus was the most abundant species on cats. The remainder were identified as Ixodes canisuga and a single Rhipicephalus sanguineus specimen. The garden was most frequently associated with tick exposure in both dogs and cats. Sporting dog breeds (n = 17; 31%) were more likely to be infested with ticks than any other breed. Nearly all (n = 56; 95%) veterinarians indicated that ticks are a concern to their clients when they are found on their pets. Pet owners used a variety of products to control ectoparasites on their animals but a significant number (n = 18, 31%) indicated that they felt that the products are less effective highlighting the need for further investigations. Field sampling indicated that ticks are present at a low level in much of the greater Dublin area.

The Relationship between Dog Ownership and Physical Activity in Korean Adults.

BackgroundMany studies have reported that dog ownership is effective in encouraging physical activity. However, the association between living with a dog and enhanced physical activity has not been clearly verified. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dog ownership on the amount of physical activity in a representative sample of Korean adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to 1,299 individuals who visited the international healthcare center of one hospital in Seoul, Korea, between August and December in 2018. Based on responses to the IPAQ survey, the amount and duration of physical activity was calculated to analyze relationships with dog ownership.ResultsThe total amount (P=0.02) and duration of physical activity (P=0.02) and the duration of vigorous-intensity physical activity (P=0.04) were significantly higher among dog owners than non-dog owners. The duration of daily physical activity increased with dog ownership by 18.6 minutes (P=0.01). A comparison of dog owners according to whether they walked with their dogs revealed that dog walking had no significant effect on the amount and duration of physical activity, inactivity, or health-enhancing physical activity status. There was a sex-specific association between dog ownership and total duration of physical activity in females.ConclusionThe duration of physical activity increased by dog ownership. However, the higher levels of physical activity among dog owners may not necessarily be explained by dog ownership or walking with dogs. This outcome suggests that raising a dog can help promote physical activity.

OPTIMIZATION OF CITY DOG WALKING AREAS TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE

The article briefly describes the negative impact of uncontrolled city dog walking on the environment. The main regulatory documents governing the handling of pets in the Russian Federation are listed. Insufficient elaboration of the basic provisions on the keeping and walking of dogs, as well as cleaning of waste generated during the walking is noted. A comparative analysis of the availability of dog walking sites in large (Novosibirsk) and medium (Nizhnevartovsk) settlement is performed. The features of the territorial organization and technical arrangement of dog walking sites are considered. The lack of standards for the organization of dog walking sites on the territory of micro-districts (housing estates) is particularly noted. Normative acts were developed and presented in the article, taking into account the area and number of apartments in the microdistrict (housing estate). Particular attention is paid to the functional areas and financial issues of their maintenance. Other activities to optimize the process of city dog walking are listed.

The relationship between dog ownership, dog play, family dog walking, and pre-schooler social-emotional development: findings from the PLAYCE observational study.

Regular physical activity provides children with health and developmental benefits. This study investigated if active play and walking with the family dog was associated with better social-emotional development in young children. We surveyed 1646 parents to ascertain if families with pre-schoolers owned a dog, and the frequency per week their child went on family dog walks or actively played with their dog. The parent-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to measure children's social-emotional development. Children from dog-owning households had reduced likelihood of conduct problems (odds ratio (OR) = 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54, 0.90), peer problems (OR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.79), and total difficulties (OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.99) and increased likelihood of prosocial behavior (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.68) compared with children without a dog. Within dog-owning households, family dog walking at least once/week (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.08) and active play with the family dog three or more times/week (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.16, 2.59) increased the likelihood of prosocial behaviors. Family dog walking at least once/week also reduced the likelihood of total difficulties (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.96). Our findings highlight the possible physical activity and social-emotional developmental benefits of family dog ownership for pre-schoolers, and that these benefits may present in early childhood. Young children from dog-owning families had lower peer problems and conduct problems, and higher prosocial behaviors than children from non-dog-owning families. Children of dog-owning families who walked or played with their dog more often also had better prosocial behaviors. Positive social-emotional development was associated with dog ownership, family dog walking, and dog play in young children. Highlights that the social-emotional benefits of owning a dog may begin early in childhood. Due to the high level of pet ownership in households with children, these findings suggest having a dog and interacting with it through play and walking may be important mechanisms for facilitating young children's social-emotional development.

Impact Of A Dog Walking Course On College Students’ Physical Activity

The increase in sedentary behaviors, poor dietary choices, and academic time demands during college or university is well documented. Physical activity-related service-learning curricula offers a way to circumvent the negative effects of these increases by providing students with physical activity, as well as the opportunity to learn responsibility, life skills, and values associated with larger social issues. Research identifies the positive effects of dog walking for both dogs and humans. Shelter dogs, in particular, benefit from this physical activity because of their stressful surroundings and need for physical and psychological activity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare physical activity (PA) levels of students enrolled in a standard PA course and students enrolled in a service-learning PA course where shelter dogs were walked by students. METHODS: College students enrolled in a standard fitness walking course (N = 46; 74% females) and a fitness dog walking course (N = 19; 68 % females) wore NL-1000 pedometers 2 times/week during their 50 minute class session. Data was collected across 30 and 32 course sessions, respectively. Means and stand deviations were calculated and an independent t-test was performed. RESULTS: Students in the standard fitness walking course acquired approximately 1760.9 steps ± 640.9, walked an average of .83 miles ± .3) and acquired approximately 7.6 minutes ± 4.2) of moderate to vigorous PA. Students enrolled in the fitness dog walking course acquired approximately 4406.0 steps ± 317.9, walked an average of .2.1 miles ± .16 and acquired approximately 26.2 minutes ± 3.2) of moderate to vigorous PA. There was a significant difference in steps (t(60) = 20.8, p < .000, d = 5.2), distance (t(60) = 20.9, p < .000, d = 5.3, and minutes (t(60) = 19.7, p < .000, d = 5.0) of moderate to vigorous PA between courses. CONCLUSION: Students enrolled in a service-learning PA course walked significantly more steps, distance, and minutes than students enrolled in a traditional PA course. Notably, students in the dog walking course reached approximately 40% of their recommended step requirements during class time. The local shelter dogs also benefitted from being physically active demonstrating the utility of community engagement when seeking innovative ways to promote PA among college students.