NON-dog owners are needed for a world-first study examining how living with man's best friend can influence human health.
Led by Associate Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis from the Charles Perkins Centre and Sydney School of Public Health, the research team is seeking 100 people who do not own a dog to participate in the trial. They are looking for people who are considering owning a dog as well as those who have no interest in doing so.
"Dog ownership is very popular in Australia, with over 40 per cent of households owning at least one dog," Associate Professor Stamatakis said.
"While anecdotal evidence suggests dog ownership is beneficial for human health, there is currently scant scientific evidence to back up this perception.
"Our research will provide valuable insight into the health benefits of dog ownership which could support programs promoting and enabling dog ownership as a means to increase physical activity, improve general health and prevent cardiovascular and mental illness."
Differences in physical activity, cardiovascular and metabolic health, and psychosocial wellbeing will be assessed for three groups: participants who acquire a dog within one month, after an eight-month waiting period, or do not adopt at all.
Over eight months, participants in the Physical and Affective Wellbeing Study of dog owners (PAWS) pilot will be asked to complete a small number of questionnaires over the phone and visit the Charles Perkins Centre or be visited at home three times for some simple physical measurements.
Eligible participants should live in the Sydney metropolitan area, without physical limitations that prevent walking, and must not currently own a pet.
On completing the study, those taking part will receive compensation for their time in the form of either routine veterinary medications and vaccinations (including a check-up) when they acquire a dog, or a monetary voucher.
Associate Professor Stamatakis said the initial results would inform the methods of a much larger trial to examine the health effect of "real world" dog ownership.
- Find out more by emailing cpc.dognode@sydney.edu.au or go to PAWS trial on Facebook.