The PLAYCE PAWS Study

You are invited to participate in a new and fun study by the Play Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity and Health (PLAYCE) team involving your child and family dog.

The PLAYCE PAWS Study aims to trial different methods of encouraging more physical activity in children through playing and walking with the family dog. We would like to gather information on your child’s physical activity, health and development. This will help us understand how interaction with family dogs impacts health and developmental outcomes in children.

Who can be involved?

• We are looking for children aged 5 to 8 years from Australia to participate in this research.
• Your child should not have a significant condition that would affect participating in physical activity or interacting with your family dog
• Your family dog is well-socialised with your child
• You (the parent/guardian) are able to supervise your child to ensure safe dog play and dog walking practices (information will be provided).
• You also need to able to read and understand the participant information booklet and explain it to your child.
  
  

What does participation involve?

• Complete three 30-minute online surveys at three different timepoints: (1) before the study commences, (2) follow-up 1 month after end of study, (3) follow-up 3 months after end of study.
• You will be randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups:

• Group 1: Receive 3 x SMS text messages every week for 4 weeks, encouraging you to take your child and dog out for a walk or play;
• Group 2: Receive 3 x SMS text messages every week for 4 weeks, encouraging you to take your child and dog out for a walk or play, and a pedometer for your dog with a dog walking diary for your child to fill in; or
• Group 3: Continue with your usual routine.

To participate in this study or find out more about it, please contact Michelle Ng on (08) 6139 1041 or by email at michelle.ng@telethonkids.org.au.