Poster Presentation The International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ): 27th Annual Conference 2018

Parent and child perspectives on child-dog physical activity programs and the child-dog relationship. (#233)

Deborah E Linder 1 , Amy LeClair 2 , Thomas I Mackie 3
  1. Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction, North Grafton, MA, United States
  2. Tufts Clinical and Translational Institute, Boston, MA, United States
  3. Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States

Introduction: Children demonstrate high levels of attachment to pet dogs (Linder, Sacheck, Noubary, Nelson & Freeman, 2017) and previous physical activity intervention studies show that dogs provide social support for adults (Morrison et al., 2013). However, the relationship between children and dogs (i.e., child-dog relationship) and how that relationship may impact utilization of physical activity programs is not as well understood. The goal of this study was to improve knowledge of the child-dog relationship to inform future child physical activity programs with dogs.

Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were utilized to better understand the child-dog relationship and engage stakeholders of potential future interventions. Semi-structured interviews with child-parent dyads (n=30 children aged 8-13, 53% male) investigated the child-dog relationship and perceptions about potential child-dog activity programs. Structural codes were determined a priori coupled with emerging thematic coding. Transcripts were then systematically coded by two trained researchers employing consensus and constant comparison.

Main Results: Semi-structured interviews revealed that child-parent dyads were positive and enthusiastic about child-dog physical activity programs (30/30, 100%). Perceived barriers for programs included safety concerns in child-dog and dog-dog interactions. Perceived facilitators for programs included components that strengthen the child-dog bond, such as the addition of education, behavior training, or agility components.

Principal Conclusions and Implications for Field: Children and parents support child-dog activity programs that are safe and enrich the child-dog relationship. Findings suggest key program components that can be tested for effectiveness in future studies of childhood obesity interventions incorporating dogs. These interventions have the potential to improve enthusiasm, motivation, and health impact on participants if designed with consideration for the complex, but also intensely positive relationship between children and their dogs.

  1. Linder, D. E., Sacheck, J. M., Noubary, F., Nelson, M. E., & Freeman, L. M. (2017). Dog attachment and perceived social support in overweight/obese and healthy weight children. Preventive Medicine Reports, 6, 352-354.
  2. Morrison, R., Reilly, J. J., Penpraze, V., Westgarth, C., Ward., D. S., Mutrie, N., et al. (2013). Children, Parents, and Pets Exercising Together (CPET): Exploratory randomized controlled trial. BMD Public Health, 13, 1096.