Got a pet? Of course you do. Exercise with her? Maybe yes. Maybe no. Either way, it’s time to take a survey!
Since we’re usually hashing and rehashing research here on Dolittler, I thought it might be apropos to help contribute some raw data of our own for a change. This time, its about human exercise and animal-keeping. And who among us is NOT interested in this subject?
After all, this is a topic near and dear to our hearts. We all know animals keep us healthier so now's our time to prove it. (No selection bias intended, really.)
This opportunity comes thanks to Dolittler reader Cindy Lentino, a graduate student of exercise science at George Washington University. Because her master’s thesis deals in pet ownership and human health issues, she [wisely] enlisted my help in this project. Here’s her low-key pitch:
“You are invited to participate in a research study under the direction of Dr. Amanda Visek of the Department of Exercise Science, at The George Washington University. The purpose of the survey is to assess health and physical activity levels of adults in the U.S. of pet-owners and non-pet owners.
Taking part in this study is entirely voluntary and the questionnaire is anonymous. If you choose to take part in this study, you will be asked to fill out an electronic questionnaire which is estimated to take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. You may stop your participation at any time. Your participation in this research study has the potential to benefit both science and humankind.
While you may not benefit directly from the study, your time is greatly appreciated and for every completed survey received, $1 will be donated to various charities that benefit animal welfare, including, the Humane Society of the U.S. and the Best Friends Animals Society.
There is the possible risk of loss of privacy or confidentiality because of internet security. However, every effort will be made to keep your information confidential and to safe-guard your responses by using a secure electronic survey program.
Should the results of this study be reported in journals or at scientific meetings, the people who participated in this study will not be named or identified.
The Office of Human Research of The George Washington University, at telephone number (202) 994-2715, can provide further information about your rights as a research participant. If you think you have been harmed in this study, please report this to the Principal Investigator of this study, Dr. Visek, who can be reached at (202) 994-3997 or at avisek@gwu.edu.
For further information regarding this study or the results of this study may be obtained by contacting Cindy Lentino, the student-investigator, at Cindyl@gwmail.gwu.edu.
To ensure anonymity, neither your name nor signature is required in completing the survey.
Your willingness to participate in this research study is implied when you click NEXT and proceed with completing the survey.Thank you for your time and participation!”
OK, here’s where you berate me for supporting any study that promises to [potentially] support the HSUS. Since you all know how I feel about that, you can be sure I’ll be talking to Cindy about it. But don’t let it keep you from participating. I can promise you it won’t deter me, not when I know I’m getting a rare chance to have my say––in statistical terms, this time.
***
For a reprisal of an important Dolittler post on chronic renal failure treatment in cats, surf over to my DailyVet entry for the day.
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Add Comment34 Comments
HSUS??? Oh NOES.
Otherwise a good idea. I wish people would research first. At least PETA isn't on their donation list.
Airedalelover September 10th, 2009 11:44:06 AM
Airedalelover: You know, I can't blame them. There was a time (not so long ago) when I had no idea what HSUS stood for. I've since been enlightened as to the full spectrum of its political positions––most of which I do NOT disagree with (which is what most people see). However, the problematic nature of its philosophical underpinnings and a sizable percentage of their efforts (and where its money goes) is what gets me.
Ultimately, I find it's somewhat difficult for the average person to know about this, especially if they are not heavily into the politics of animals. Scary but true.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 10th, 2009 11:57:39 AM
I'll confess that I stopped reading when I saw HSUS. Yeah, I went back & finished reading, but seriously, that is a major turn-off. Good chance to educate, though!
Julie in OH September 10th, 2009 12:22:34 PM
I think I got my exercise for the day clicking through that survey, the way it kept bouncing me back to the beginning. ;-) But i'm willing to help with the study if anything goes to Best Friends because of it. Besides, we at Tripawds are firm believers in keeping our three legged friends fit and trim! Thanks for the survey link.
tripawds.com September 10th, 2009 01:08:30 PM
whew, lots of clicks. is it bad that i got stumped at the question about whether i take the advice of my vet (myself)?
not sure of all the controversy surrounding HSUS ...I'm more concerned with my local controversial non-profit: NSAL :(
Dennis Leon, DVM September 10th, 2009 01:25:50 PM
You'll be very happy to know that one of you called Cindy's thesis advisor to protest the HSUS donation. Cindy will happily be removing the HSUS as a recipient of any funds. Feel free to survey away.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 10th, 2009 01:52:28 PM
Wanted to thank Dr. K again for posting my survey link. FYI, in addition to the Best Friends Animals Society, the NAIA will also be benefiting from my study.
I apologize for the technical difficulties you may have had. I had an onslaught of survey takers the last few hours, thanks to you all, and as it turns out, SurveyMonkey gets overwhelmed. So thanks again for participating and your patience, it's much apprieciated.
I've been working on my thesis for well over a year and I'm so excited to see what the results will be. I'll be sure to keep Dr. K posted. Thanks!
CindyL September 10th, 2009 03:39:41 PM
I filled out the survey but I hate it when I am asked for information I can't give. Yes I had my blood pressure taken but I couldn't remember the numbers. It refused to let me go on so I tried alternatives like filling in Don't know numbers, normal, etc and it wouldn't accept it. So I just had to lie and say "no" blood pressure not taken.
Then it assumed that activities are in the neighborhood. I exercise every day or at least 5 days a week but not in my neighborhood. I drive to a dog park about 10 minutes away. So there I am saying I exercise and the time but I can't say I drive to a dog park. The dog park is not in my neighborhood.
Assumptions made by the questions restrict answers and the validity.
Pat H September 10th, 2009 08:40:52 PM
I had similar problems to Pat's. The blood pressure results wouldn't accept "varies wildly" or a range of numbers, and I do not have a typical blood pressure anymore, or even an average. (Got so many doctors working on it now I've lost count.) And I don't live IN a neighborhood; I live on a small private drive in the middle of the country. So a lot of my answers weren't genuinely representative. But, well, I picked answers as close as I could get.
Galadriel September 11th, 2009 07:26:56 AM
One issue that the survey doesn't address is the pet owner's physical activity levels before they got the pet. If you look at the results of my survey you'd reach the conclusion that the pets have a large, positive influence on my physical activity levels. However the reality is that I was very active before getting the dogs (trained for marathons and triathlons) and now that I have them I'm actually less active and many of my workouts are less strenuous (ie walks instead of say spinning classes) because the dogs' exercise and training needs are cutting into my workout time.
Elayne September 11th, 2009 11:34:40 AM
Elayne: That's interesting. Perhaps you need a heavy-running breed. My sisters' 7 year-old dogs can do a 10K easy (Lab/husky/rottie mixes)––but not during summer in Miami. Then they go for a daily mile-long swim, instead. There are ways to do it but it does all depend on lifestyle/location/breed, etc. No cure for the loss of spinning classes, though.
As to the study's limitations: I think there will always be outliers that skew the numbers––or that may well deserve to be dismissed altogether if they're so isolated. Even if you did do a more complete analysis of the situation I don't believe your example would be remotely "average." (Consider yourself exceptional.)
Either way, it's important to keep in mind that we don't know this investigator's hypothesis or where her research is headed. We may make assumptions based on the survey but it's always wise to remember that the study questions are written with an eye towards limiting bias.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 11th, 2009 12:36:50 PM
I've got 3 Border Collies and mixes thereof, they do fine with running, in fact probably much better than those heavier boned labs and huskies. But I can't take them to swim practice or on a 4-5 hour bike ride or to the gym to do weights. And my running workouts are hampered by having to stop for poop scooping and pee mail reading and avoiding other lunging, out of control dogs. I still get plenty of exercise with and without the dogs, just not the same amount and quality that I got before the dogs. And let's not even talk about the weekends of training I've lost due to agilty trials and training seminars. Point is that dogs require a lot of time if you take proper care of them, at least my high energy crew does, and if you're already devoted to an active lifestyle they can detract from it which is maybe the opposite of what my survey results would show given the way it was worded.
Not sure how isolated my case is either. I know quite a few runners/triathletes who got dogs thinking they would fit in great with their active lifestyle and those dogs are now obese and laying around the house because the owners didn't want to sacrifice their workouts to take care of them.
Elayne September 11th, 2009 02:35:07 PM
Elayne: I think I know some triathletes like you. ;-) You guys really are special. Wish I has that much athletic drive. Getting to the gym for an hour a day five days a week is the best I can do. But my triathlete friends? They're go-go-go two hours a day at least.
Dr. Patty Khuly September 12th, 2009 10:56:14 AM
Hee. I'm not filling out the survey. My dog's on a GREAT exercise program. Me, not so much. Like Elayne, I exercised hella more prior to dog ownership.
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