Veterinary-Prescribed Physical Activity: Feasibility and Acceptability among Veterinary Staff and Dog Owners

Katrina Oselinsky, Colleen G. Duncan, Heather E. Martinez and Dan J. Graham
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Katrina Oselinsky: Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Colleen G. Duncan: Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, 1619 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Heather E. Martinez: Council of State and Territory Epidemiologists, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek S Dr, Denver, CO 80246, USA
Dan J. Graham: Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Physical inactivity remains a global epidemic leading to an estimated 5 million preventable deaths per year. Although there exist numerous public-health campaigns aimed at increasing physical activity (PA), a potentially fruitful but underexplored avenue to promote both human and animal health is veterinary-prescribed PA programs. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating veterinary-prescribed PA programming into a diverse array of clinic settings. Participants (n = 722 veterinary-clinic staff (VS); n = 1028 dog owners (DOs)) completed an online survey assessing: (a) the perceived importance of PA for promoting health and preventing disease, (b) willingness to participate in a veterinary-prescribed PA program, and (c) potential benefits and barriers of such a program. Both groups of participants indicated that PA is important for both human and animal health (97% and 98% of VS and 92% and 93% of DOs said PA is very or extremely important for animal and human health, respectively). Additionally, most participants in both groups expressed an interest in participating in a veterinary-prescribed PA program in the future, with only 11% of DOs and 10% of VS saying they were not interested. Benefits and barriers of this type of intervention for both practitioners and patients were also identified. Incorporating veterinary-prescribed PA programming into veterinary clinics seems to be acceptable to both DOs and VS. Additionally, many VS believe such programming would be feasible at their clinics; thus, pursuing such programs appears to be a promising avenue for promoting human and animal health.

Keywords: exercise prescription; physical activity; dog-walking; veterinary; One Health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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