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Parent Zone
July 2008

Kids and Pets: A Good Match?

For many adults, pets are an integral part of our lives, and if we have children, pets become part of our children's lives also.  A child learning to care for an animal, and treating it kindly and patiently may get invaluable training in learning to treat others the same way.  But remember--while all kinds of pets can bring children pleasure, it is important to choose a pet that is right for your family, your home, and your lifestyle; and one that your child can appropriately help care for.

Children raised with pets show many benefits such as: 

  • Increased social skills 
  • Higher self-esteem and self-confidence
  • The development of trusting relationships with others 
  • Enhanced non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy. 

Healthy relationships with pets can teach children to:

  • Understand lessons about life: reproduction, birth, illnesses, accidents, death, and bereavement
  • Develop responsible behavior
  • Nurture a connection to nature
  • Respect other living things.

Other physical and emotional needs fulfilled by pet ownership include:

  • Physical activity
  • Comfort contact
  • Love, loyalty, and affection
  • Experience with loss if a pet is lost or dies.

http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts
_for_families/pets_and_children

Other Links to Explore

A Furry, Feathery or Scaly Best Friend: Children and Pets
http://www.childcareaware.org/en/subscriptions
/dailyparent/volume.php?id=56

The Benefits of Pets
http://www.parents.com/family-life/pets/
kids/pets-good-for-kids/

Pets and Children: A Lifelong Friendship
http://www.petloveshack.com/kids.html

Kids and Pets
http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals
/petcare/fm_kids.cfm

Selecting the Right Pet for Your Family
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/
selecting_the_right_pet_for_your_
family_and_making_the_introduction.html

Bringing a Pet into the Family
http://www.parenthood.com/article-topics
/article-topics.php?Article_ID=5541

 
 
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