The Surprising Science Behind Dog Walks, Mental Health, and Outdoor Recreation

Dog Walking, Wellbeing, and Pet-Friendly Travel with Lori Hoy

Karin talks with Lori Hoy, a researcher at Leeds Beckett University, about how dog walking shapes well-being, outdoor recreation, and travel experiences in the UK and the US. Lori shares how her research began with her dog Princess Buttercup and grew into studies on responsible recreation, safety, phone use on walks, and dog festivals.

In this episode, Lori explains how dog walking became the focus of her PhD during COVID, how UK access laws shape walking habits, and why dog owners often see walks as an obligation for the dog rather than a personal outdoor activity. The conversation also explores the well-being benefits of walks, the role of dogs as social facilitators, and the rising popularity of dog-centered travel and events.

Key topics

Lori shares how her research started with hospitality and travel, then shifted to dog walking during COVID restrictions in the UK. Princess Buttercup, a small Shih Tzu and Pomeranian mix, inspired Lori’s academic interest in pets, travel, and dog-friendly experiences. As a research assistant at Leeds Beckett University, Lori supports research on responsible recreation in protected sites, especially national nature reserves. In the UK, dogs are often off-leash by default in many outdoor areas, unlike the more leash-restricted culture many Americans are used to. Public footpaths and open-access land create a different countryside experience in England, while also raising questions about livestock, wildlife protection, and safety. Dog walkers may not identify as “outdoor recreationists,” even though they regularly use outdoor spaces. Lori’s research points to well-being benefits from dog walking, including reduced stress, improved mood, and a stronger appreciation for where people live. Phone use on walks is a growing area of interest. Most people bring a phone, and more than half report using it on walks; heavier phone use appears related to lower pet attachment and less connection to nature. Safety matters to walkers, including clear paths, phone signal, potential hazards, and feeling welcome in a space. Lori’s travel research highlights both the benefits and complications of traveling with a dog—from social connection to pet policies, hidden rules, and finding suitable road-trip stops. Dog festivals bring together shopping, training, expert advice, charities, and social connection for dogs and their people.

Timestamps00:00 - Lori’s dog-walking research and how it began during COVID

00:59 - Shared outdoor leisure spaces, well-being, and protected sites

02:25 - Lori’s marketing background and meeting Princess Buttercup

03:45 - Why Buttercup inspired research into travel and hospitality with dogs

04:59 - What a research assistant does at Leeds Beckett

07:28 - Dog population differences and leash culture in the UK and US

11:52 - Natural England and responsible recreation on protected sites

15:57 - City, suburban, and rural walking differences

18:56 - Livestock, public footpaths, and managing risk

21:08 - Dog walkers as caretakers—and sometimes unintentional recreationists

22:52 - Dog walking and well-being for people and dogs

25:09 - How a walk can affect mood and stress

26:48 - Phone use on walks and why it matters

30:37 - How often people walk dogs in the UK and US

32:44 - Rain, cold, and walking dogs in British weather

36:10 - Safety, hazards, and feeling welcome outdoors

39:19 - Recall training when dogs are off-leash

40:58 - Princess Buttercup’s favorite walks

44:28 - How Buttercup shaped Lori’s travel research

47:14 - The safety paradox of traveling solo with a dog

50:24 - Road trips, rest stops, and dog-walking breaks

53:55 - Dog festivals as travel experiences

55:17 - Goodwoof and what makes a dog festival enjoyable

57:45 - What people value about dog festivals