Rock, MelanieMcCormack, GavinToohey, Ann Madeline2013-10-102013-10-102012Toohey, A. M. (2013). Neighbourhoods, dogs and walking: An exploration of factors relevant to healthy aging in place (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27069http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1147The aims of this thesis were to: 1) understand factors related to healthy aging of older adults living in urban environments (i.e., aging in place); and 2) contribute to the evidence-informed case for viewing dogs as contributing to neighbourhoods in ways that may influence healthy aging in place. A scoping review of diverse literatures suggested that dogs may increase physical activity for both dog-owners and non-owners, but that dogs will not have a standard effect across all neighbourhoods. An analysis of data for a sample of older adults (50 yrs and older) living in Calgary, Canada, found that the dog-owners who frequently walked dogs (4 times/wk or more) reported more neighbourhood-based recreational walking and high sense of community relative to non-owners. Interventions promoting dog-walking in neighbourhoods, while supporting the specific walking needs of older adults, may help support healthy aging in place.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Public Healthpopulation healthaging in placedog walkingneighbourhoodPhysical Activitysocial engagementhealthy agingmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/27069