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The impact of a dog-facilitated mobile physical activity intervention on children’s social–emotional development: a randomized controlled trial

Dog ownership has been suggested to be positively associated with children's physical, social, and emotional development. This study investigated the effect of a mobile health dog-facilitated physical activity intervention on young children's social-emotional development and attachment to the family dog.

Citation:
Ng M, Adams EK, Murray K, Westgarth C, Christian H. The impact of a dog-facilitated mobile physical activity intervention on children’s social–emotional development: a randomized controlled trial. J Public Health. 2026;48(1):144-53.

Keywords:
Children; physical activity; social determinants

Abstract:
Dog ownership has been suggested to be positively associated with children's physical, social, and emotional development. This study investigated the effect of a mobile health dog-facilitated physical activity intervention on young children's social-emotional development and attachment to the family dog.