The Pet Effect: Life Lessons and Good Health
Animal lovers are well-aware that pets bring life-enhancing qualities into a home. Having a loving, non-judgmental companion can benefit adults and children in a multitude of ways. For instance, many people are aware that studies suggest pets relieve stress. The list, however, extends far beyond that. Having a pet has been shown to affect child development in astounding ways, and it can be particularly therapeutic for children with developmental disorders and/or mental health issues.
For all children, being involved in caring for pets promotes a sense of responsibility. It teaches the importance of diet, exercise, and routine. Many children enjoy confiding in a pet and some even benefit from practicing skills like reading with a pet. Pets don’t criticize, they just listen. Pets also provide life lessons and opportunities for discussing topics like reproduction, birth, illness, and death. Although it is heart breaking when a pet dies, dealing with bereavement is unavoidable in every human’s life. Pets also provide love, loyalty, and affection.
Pets can help children with autism and learning disabilities develop social skills. Pets rely on nonverbal communication, as do all young children and those with certain learning difficulties. Communicating with pets can help children attend to these powerful nonverbal cues in both animals and people. Pets also help children understand the concepts of empathy and compassion. Many children with autism relate better to animals than people, and having a close relationship with an animal may prepare them for opening up to peers. Dogs are particularly great pets because they need to be walked and often prompt social interactions. It gives people a reason to approach and engage you in conversation. Children with ADHD especially benefit from the routine and structure that caring for a pet requires.
Research has demonstrated that animals have a calming effect on children and adults, and many parents report that they notice such effects in their children immediately. In 2010, the Université de Montreal predicted that service dogs could reduce anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders, and they found that the dogs’ presence did have a dramatic effect on children’s stress hormones. But not everyone needs a service dog. There is plenty of evidence that owning and caring for a friendly animal reduces stress and decreases anxiety and depression. Some studies have even found that owning pets reduces blood pressure and cholesterol and may increase life-span.
When children learn to care for animals and treat them with respect, they learn invaluable life lessons. It is important to remember, however, that pets come with responsibility. Most people feel that the benefits outweigh the costs, but every family has to decide if they can make such a commitment. Neglecting a pet’s needs or treating one unkindly does a disservice to all involved. Children’s responsibilities should be comparable to their developmental level, and they should be monitored to ensure proper care. In addition, it is important to choose a pet that is right for your family’s lifestyle. Not everyone can care for a dog or afford a horse, for example, but even a simple fish tank may benefit some children. Fish are soothing to observe and they need to be fed and their water changed. Most importantly, remember that parents serve as role models, and children learn to care for animals and people by observing their parents’ behavior.
Jaime Black earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University. She works in a private practice doing psychotherapy and evaluations. Jaime’s specialty is in working with individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum. www.spectrumservicesnyc.com. JaimeBlackPsyD@gmail.com. (914)712-8208.
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