Caring for aging brains and bodies: insights from dogs to help people stay sharper longer
Official title: Project 1: Cognitive and Physical Function in Aging
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11420292 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-running study uses companion dogs to understand what keeps aging people cognitively and physically healthy, with findings expected to inform human aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $833,716 |
| NIH project number | 1U19AG092282-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420292 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are companion dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project and their owners, plus human partners who may benefit from translational insights.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not connected to the dog aging cohort or without access to veterinary care and longitudinal data may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This program follows a large group of pet dogs over many years, collecting health, behavior, and medical data to identify factors linked to aging. Researchers will combine owner reports, veterinary records, and biological samples to map how aging unfolds and what might slow it down. The goal is to translate lessons from dogs to improve aging in people, inspired by a practical, real-world health framework.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide interventions that support better thinking and mobility in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior translational work using dog aging data has shown promise in identifying aging patterns relevant to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Creevy, Kate Elizabeth — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Creevy, Kate Elizabeth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.