The Somerville Dog Owners Group in partnership with Groundwork Somerville and Shape Up Somerville and in cooperation with Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Alderman William Roche and School Committee member Maureen Bastardi, cordially invites you to join us in the the East Somerville Neighborhood Dog Walk, Saturday morning, October 21, 2006, from 10:00 to noon (Rain Date: Sunday, October 22). The walk begins at 10:30 at the East Somerville Community School courtyard.

All dogs who enjoy the company of other dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed, licensed, and up to date on all vaccinations.

The route of the Walk is the East Somerville Neighborhood Walking Route, a 1.2-mile loop linking the Youth & Senior Center, the East Somerville Health Clinic, East Somerville Community School, Edgerly School, Glen Park and Garden, Grace Baptist Church, St. Benedict’s Church and historical buildings.

A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that 41% of dog owners walk, on average, 18 minutes per week longer than people without dogs. However, the majority of dog owners (59%) don’t walk their dogs at all, and actually record lower physical activity levels than people without dogs. The report authors estimate that if all dog owners regularly walked their dogs, the boost in physical fitness across the community would save Australia’s health care system about $175 million ($140 million USD) every year (source: WalkBoston).

A recent study at the University of Missouri-Columbia has found that having a pet can encourage owners to get more exercise and results in more weight loss than most nationally known diet plans.

"Our goal was to look for ways to increase the average exercise regimen, and we found being responsible for a pet, such as committing to walk a loaner dog, encouraged people who did not own dogs to walk more often and for longer periods of time," said Rebecca Johnson, associate professor of nursing and director of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction. "Our first study group averaged a weight loss of 14 pounds during the one-year program." (Source: University of Missouri-Columbia News Bureau)

But you don't have to have a dog to enjoy the benefits of walking and the East Somerville Neighborhood Dog Walk: According to the Somerville Health Department,

More physical activity can improve physical stamina for work, school and play. It can also help prevent diabetes, heart disease, strokes and reduce weight. Studies have shown that just adding 2000 steps per day to a daily routine can help the average American achieve a healthier lifestyle. The East Somerville Neighborhood Walking Route has been established as a readily accessible and simple way for residents to walk 2000 steps.

For more information about the East Somerville Neighborhood Dog Walk and to learn how you can volunteer to be a walk captain, please e-mail somdog at somervilledog.com.