The Role of Dog Ownership in Promoting Physical Activity and Well-Being Among Individuals with Severe Mental Illness within the ClozaGene Study

This study investigated whether dog ownership was associated with increased physical activity and enhanced self-reported wellbeing among adults living with severe mental illness (SMI) in the ClozaGene Study. Data from 981 Australian adults with self-reported diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder and a history of clozapine treatment were analyzed. Participants were classified as dog owners (n = 208), other pet owners (n = 165), or as having no pets (n = 608). Physical activity was measured as walking frequency, defined by the number of days participants walked outside their home or yard, while wellbeing was assessed using self-reported ratings of mental and physical health. Independent samples t-test, Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between dog ownership, walking frequency, and wellbeing. Results indicated that dog ownership was not significantly associated with greater walking frequency or better perceived mental or physical health. Although a small but statistically significant positive association was observed between walking frequency and mental health ratings, the effect size was negligible. Secondary analyses comparing any pet ownership with no pet ownership also revealed no significant differences in wellbeing. These results suggest, in this sample, pet ownership alone may not meaningfully influence physical activity behaviors or perceived wellbeing among individuals with a SMI.