When a pet arrives in the family, he is not just simply a pet, but an important family member who can provide some unexpected help.
Pets can influence children from all different stages of a child’s growth. Babies, toddlers, teens, and even into adulthood. A study done by Karinna Hurley and Lisa Oakes at the University of California proved that when babies live in a household with pets, by the time they are ten years old, they are better at recognizing animal faces than are babies living in households who don’t own pets.
When a child steps into adulthood and has his or her own family, pets can help cement couple relationship. And when kids leave home to start their own new life, pets can provide companionship for parents left at home, too.
Yet those are not the only benefit pets can provide. According to articles from BBC and Verywell Family, pets can not only provide companionship, but also influencing a child’s social skills, physical health, and even cognitive development. But most importantly, they can greatly reduce stress and be a strong emotional supports for kids with autism or other kinds of mental health struggles.
In 2009, an article from the ‘New York Times’ reported a story of a service dog named Chad and an 11-year-old boy, Milo. Chad is a yellow Labrador retriever who moved in with Claire Vaccaro’s family in Manhattan. His role was to help Ms. Vaccaro’s 11-year-old son, Milo Vaccaro, whose autism that took away his ability to communicate and form social bonds with people. He often has tantrums and tries to run away.
Chad had an immediate effect on Milo. Milo became calmer and he can now concentrate for longer periods of time. “A prominent and noticeable change in Milo, even though the dog just sat quietly in the room. He started to give me narratives in a way he never did,” said Dr.Melissa A. Nishawala, clinical director of the autism-spectrum service at the Child Study Center at New York University.
Researchers found that children themselves even ranked pets as one of the most important beings in their lives. And when it comes to lessons about being empathetic and responsible, animals are often better teachers than parents.
“They tend to learn from their pet, somehow, how to be more understanding, empathetic and responsive to animals in general,” says John Bradshaw, former reader in companion animal behaviour at the University of Bristol, UK, and author of several books on cats and dogs.
Links:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1655668327555x631845242129933800/How%20pets%20give%20your%20kids%20a%20brain%20boost%20-%20BBC%20Future.pdf
The New York Time “Exploring the Health Benefit of Pets”:
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/health/06pets.html?searchResultPosition=1
Verywell Family:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-kids-benefit-from-pet-ownership-5201854
Pets can influence children from all different stages of a child’s growth. Babies, toddlers, teens, and even into adulthood. A study done by Karinna Hurley and Lisa Oakes at the University of California proved that when babies live in a household with pets, by the time they are ten years old, they are better at recognizing animal faces than are babies living in households who don’t own pets.
When a child steps into adulthood and has his or her own family, pets can help cement couple relationship. And when kids leave home to start their own new life, pets can provide companionship for parents left at home, too.
Yet those are not the only benefit pets can provide. According to articles from BBC and Verywell Family, pets can not only provide companionship, but also influencing a child’s social skills, physical health, and even cognitive development. But most importantly, they can greatly reduce stress and be a strong emotional supports for kids with autism or other kinds of mental health struggles.
In 2009, an article from the ‘New York Times’ reported a story of a service dog named Chad and an 11-year-old boy, Milo. Chad is a yellow Labrador retriever who moved in with Claire Vaccaro’s family in Manhattan. His role was to help Ms. Vaccaro’s 11-year-old son, Milo Vaccaro, whose autism that took away his ability to communicate and form social bonds with people. He often has tantrums and tries to run away.
Chad had an immediate effect on Milo. Milo became calmer and he can now concentrate for longer periods of time. “A prominent and noticeable change in Milo, even though the dog just sat quietly in the room. He started to give me narratives in a way he never did,” said Dr.Melissa A. Nishawala, clinical director of the autism-spectrum service at the Child Study Center at New York University.
Researchers found that children themselves even ranked pets as one of the most important beings in their lives. And when it comes to lessons about being empathetic and responsible, animals are often better teachers than parents.
“They tend to learn from their pet, somehow, how to be more understanding, empathetic and responsive to animals in general,” says John Bradshaw, former reader in companion animal behaviour at the University of Bristol, UK, and author of several books on cats and dogs.
Links:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1655668327555x631845242129933800/How%20pets%20give%20your%20kids%20a%20brain%20boost%20-%20BBC%20Future.pdf
The New York Time “Exploring the Health Benefit of Pets”:
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/health/06pets.html?searchResultPosition=1
Verywell Family:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-kids-benefit-from-pet-ownership-5201854
