Three articles I’ve read recently discuss the relationship between pets and children and the potential benefits of such a relationship.

The first was Nancy Hreha’s article from which I took the title of my blog – her entire article can be found at KidsPetTales.com (http://netwebmarketer.com/audie/wordpress/2008/10/12/kids-and-pets-do-they-need-each-other/). She poses the question: do the benefits of adopting a pet make it worth the responsibility? Her conclusion: definitely.

She talks about how, in the technological age, children need the experience of caring for another creature to give them the opportunity to become a caring and capable adult. Pets fill this void by “articulat[ing] unconditional love in a universal language we all understand.” Pets are simplistic in their needs and desires and thus connect easier with children—and they are a great reminder to children that despite the media and technological age, we’re still connected to the natural world and can contribute to something more than ourselves.

Hreha also points out that pets are great confidantes for children, and they teach them not only about aging but also how to cope with loss. Yet they also let them laugh and love. The training that animals need and the relationships they form with the humans around them are also great ways to let children learn about basic social skills, moral lessons and patience. They learn about quality of life and responsibility, and also they learn that real consequences come from bad decisions and sometimes these consequences cannot be fixed, but often avoided. Thus, Hreha believes pets teach children so much that the pets should “never be underestimated or weighed against convenience.”

The second article was written by Jill Stark, a writer for The Age, an Australian newspaper. This article discussed a study that has found that “owning a pet could keep children slim and healthy.” The study, done by Deakin University, found that young children who own a dog are less likely to be overweight or obese compared to those who do not have a dog. 1,100 children age 5 to 12 were found to be in much better shape if they had a dog, even if they did not walk it regularly. The findings suggest that even incidental play with the animal helps keep weight off. The researchers believe that the positive effects of such exercise would most likely be the same for children who owned other pets such as cats or rabbits.

Head researcher, Associate Professor Jo Salmon says, “For parents who are trying to get their kids off the computer and switching off the TV and getting out and playing, having a pet might be a really good strategy for doing that.”

Younger children gained the greatest health benefit, with 20% of those who owned a dog being overweight or obese compared with 25% of children who did not. 30% of 10 to 12-year-olds who did not have a dog suffered weight problems compared with 27% of their peers with pets. The entire article can be found here (http://www.theage.com.au/national/dogs-deemed-childrens-best-friend-in-fight-against-obesity-20081013-4zv9.html)

The third article, written by Barbara Leader from the News Star (a Louisiana newspaper) discusses a new animal therapy program known as Camp Critters who helps disabled children overcome obstacles by using therapy pets. The program works with the students’ doctors to help them have the opportunity to do things that their disability might otherwise prevent. The program uses rescued animals of all sorts—dogs, horses, pigs, goats, and rabbits to facilitate therapy.

Therapist Cynthia Place believes animals help children who might otherwise be unreceptive or resistant to therapeutic techniques. “There’s just something about nature and animals that is very relaxing and engaging.” The children learn to stop focusing on their own limitations and enter the world of their canine companions. This partnership increases the children’s social skills, attitude and independence on other humans. And what’s the best part? Many insurance companies cover the cost of the program! The entire article can be found here (http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081020/NEWS01/810200305)

These three articles point out some great ways animals can benefit children. Do you have a story about it? In what ways have animals benefited your children or children you know? I am in agreement with those who believe that families should have pets—I had pets growing up, learned from them and couldn’t imagine my childhood without them.