Aerobic exercise is any activity that requires prolonged movement of large muscle groups. In addition to working the muscles, aerobic exercise improves the efficiency of the heart and lungs and increases endurance. Making exercise part of a healthy lifestyle may help a person lose weight/maintain a healthy weight, reduce risk for many chronic health problems (like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes), improve mood and sleep and increase bone strength.

Health experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise five days a week and muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week. For maximum benefits, aerobic exercise should be performed for 60 minutes a day/five days a week.

Going to the Dogs
Pets are an important part of the lives of many people. According to the ASPCA, Americans own about 75 million dogs. But not all animals have a home. Each year, five to seven million animals are cared for at animal shelters throughout the U.S.

Animal shelters provide a safe place for dogs, cats and other pets to live until the animals are adopted into a permanent home. While waiting for placement, the animals must be fed and cared for. As with humans, exercise is an important activity for dogs. Yet, there are often not enough volunteers to provide adequate exercise for shelter dogs.

Some animal shelters promote dog walking as a way for dogs AND humans to get exercise. “Get Fit with Fido,” organized by an animal shelter in Seattle, WA, takes that effort one step further, with a program geared toward runners. Kara Main-Hester, Ph.D., Volunteer Programs Manager for the shelter, says the program involves a four-mile run every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Many of the runners volunteer two or three times a week.

In addition to getting exercise for humans and dogs, the Run with Fido program has other benefits. Many of the volunteers can’t have pets in their residence or are unable financially afford to feed and provide veterinary care for a dog. Running with the dogs enables these people to interact and care for a dog as if it was a pet. For the dogs, the run helps the animals burn off energy and socialize with humans and other dogs.

The volunteers in the “Fit with Fido” program run as a group. Therefore, to qualify as a runner, participants must be able to run a mile in nine to ten minutes (so they can keep up with the group). Those who can’t run can volunteer for a walking program. Main-Hester says walkers typically take three dogs, one-at-a-time, for a total of two hours. So, overall, the walkers are putting in about the same distance as the runners.

Main-Hester says shelter dog running programs are probably not that common, but there are many walking programs around the country. She recommends calling local shelters and rescue groups to find a dog walking program in your area.

AUDIENCE INQUIRY
For general information on exercise:
American Council on Exercise, http://www.acefitness.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity

To find out about dog walking or running programs in your area, contact a local animal shelter or humane society. For general information about animal shelters:
The ASPCA, http://www.aspca.org
The Humane Society of the United States, http://www.hsus.org

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brrene, Stefan, et al., “Running is Rewarding and Antidepressive,” Physiology and Behavior, September 10, 2007, Vol. 92, No. 1-2, pp. 136-140.

Chakravarty, Eliza, M.D., et al., “Reduced Disability and Mortality Among Aged Runners,” Archives of Internal Medicine, August 11/25, 2008, Vol. 168, No. 15, pp. 1638-1646.

Cutt, H., et al., “Understanding Dog Owners’ Increased Levels of Physical Activity,” American Journal of Public Health, January 2008, Vol. 98, No. 1, pp. 66-69.

Thorpe, R., Jr., et al., “Dog Ownership, Walking Behavior and Maintained Mobility in Later Life,” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, September 2006, Vol. 54, No. 9, pp. 1419-1424.

Westgarth, Carri, et al., “Factors Associated with Dog Ownership and Contact with Dogs in a UK Community,” BMC Veterinary Research, April 3, 2007, Vol. 3, No. 5.