How Does Pet Ownership Affect Children?
Many researchers over the years have looked into the affect of pet ownership on children. The studies range from health benefits and cognitive function to social interactions and character building. Some of the studies, when compared to each other, have conflicting results and, no doubt, there may have been flawed experimental design at play. Many of the studies are available to read at the Delta Society’s website. The bottom line is that pet ownership is good for kids from a multitude of angles.
Health Benefits:
- Pet exposure during the first year of life is associated with a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children ages 7 to 13 years old.
- Dog ownership in early childhood, especially within the first year, helps protect against development of inhalant sensitization, atopy. This study was conducted on children from infancy to 6 years of age.
- They encourage physical activity in children through play behavior and routine walks.
Psychological Benefits:
- Studies have linked family ownership of a pet with high self–esteem in young children and greater cognitive development.
- Children with pets at home score significantly higher on empathy and pro–social scales than non–pet owners.
- Pets can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts–children often talk to their pets.
- They provide lessons about life; birth, illnesses, accidents, death, and bereavement.
- They can help develop responsible behavior in the children who care for them.
- They provide a connection to nature.
- They can teach respect for other living things.
Special Needs:
- Having an animal during therapy sessions or other animal-assisted activities/treatment shows significant improvements in the treatment procedures of a child suffering from an ailment.
- In pilot programs involving children in special education and literacy, it was found that the children not only improved their reading skills, increased their willingness to read and confidence but also were more eager to go to school and had fewer absences.
- Although service dog ownership in families with an autistic child can be challenging, most parents have reported that the benefits of helping keep their child safe and provide companionship are overwhelmingly worth the difficulties.
- Service dogs can be invaluable for children with physical disabilities such as visual impairment, hearing loss, cerebral palsy or spinal cord injuries. They increase the child’s independence; serve as a constant companion and as an icebreaker, encouraging social interactions from people who may feel uncomfortable in the presence of a child with a disability.