Regular physical activity provides a myriad of health and fitness benefits, reduces morbidity and mortality, and reduces medical expenditures. Despite these substantial benefits, most Americans are not physically active at recommended levels. Effective population strategies to increase physical activity are needed. Dog walking, because of its characteristics, may represent such a strategy. This article provides the rationale for dog walking as an effective intervention strategy, explores some of the broader health benefits of dog ownership, and discusses the role that health care providers may have in promoting dog walking to their patients.
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