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Walking A Dog Is Good For Seniors
Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
According to a study cited in the September 2006 edition of Journal of the American Geriatrics Society entitled “Dog Ownership, Walking Behavior, and Maintained Mobility in Late Life,” by Roland J. Thorpe et. al., daily dog walking may help seniors maintain better mobility later in life. Approximately one third of seniors who owned dogs in the study walked their dogs at least three times per week. The older adults who walked their dogs at least three times per week tended to be more likely to have more rapid walking rates and to walk at least 150 minutes per week when compared to senior dog owners who did not walk their dogs. These rates were similar to seniors who walked at least 150 minutes each week who did not own dogs. The study looked at the groups again three years later and discovered that the senior dog walkers were about twice as likely to walk at least 150 minutes per week than the other groups. Perhaps seniors find meaningful activities, such as the need to walk a dog, to be a good motivating force to remain more active, which may in turn lead to a healthier lifestyle and decrease disability. Older adults who own dogs but do not take them for walks may discover beginning an exercise program that includes daily walks may improve their own health and perhaps the dog’s health too. Seniors should check with a healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program. Does this mean you have to own a dog? Not necessarily. Most communities have animal rescue shelters that need volunteers to walk the many dogs that come through their doors. Not only would you be doing yourself a world of good through the exercise, but you would be making the life of a wonderful dog much happier. There may also be a neighbor within a few doors of your home that could use help walking their dog - check around - they may really appreciate the extra hand and knowing their pet is getting out for more exercise, possibly even while they work.
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Showing 0 to 1 of 1 comment.
I walk our dog from the top of Mountain hwy down 150 steps then another walk until another 150 steps then over to Lynne Valley Suspension bridge
would anyone like to walk with me?
Posted by: Suzanne Rayment | September 18th, 2010
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