Living with domestic animals has played a fundamental role in the growth and various stages of development of young children. A significant number of empirical studies have investigated how children interact with pets and their views on relationships with animals. For example, in research involving preschool-aged children, psychologists at Oregon State University found that teaching children to care for a puppy increases their social skills for the future and makes children cooperate and participate more, while having a pet improves children’s ability to develop skills, such as being responsible and putting themselves in someone else’s place (Dr. Sue Doescher)
A pet can provide a child with social education through its relational abilities, as pets are even capable of interpreting mental states and deducing intentions.
ARISTOPERROS in particular provide expressiveness, tolerance, loyalty, and nobility, satisfaction from small acts of affection, and teach children how to be alone when necessary and how to adapt to the rules of the family and communal living.
What are the benefits of having a pet for children?
1.Health benefits:
Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, thereby helping children be less aggressive and improving their self-esteem, as they feel very loved by their pet. Requiring children to care for their pets by feeding, cleaning, and looking after them makes them feel useful and highly motivated. It also requires increased physical activity because of the movement and activity involved in caring for a pet, which prevents a sedentary lifestyle that children often suffer from.
2.Socioeducational benefits:
When children walk their dogs, they interact with other owners and start conversations, even making new friends. In addition, the games, exercise, and other activities they do during these walks allow for greater psychomotor development. Caring for dogs helps children develop a sense of responsibility and create a bond with the animal, which improves their emotional stability and self-confidence.
There are many games and toys in which children not only have fun with their pets but are also able to develop socially and intellectually. Given the wide variety of toys, each one helps stimulate the dog in a different way:
Chew toys: The dog can be trained to control the force of its bites and not bite uncontrollably
Balls and Frisbees: The animal will not only exercise its body, but its mind will also be working to find the ball or Frisbee.
Treat dispensers and puzzles: They are the best way to mentally stimulate your dog, helping it achieve an optimal balance between physical and mental exercise.
“It has been scientifically proven that the incidence of allergies in children raised with dogs is much lower. In addition, living with a pet develops fundamental character traits such as commitment, friendship, organizational skills, and perseverance, since caring for a pet and meeting its needs are daily tasks. An added benefit in this highly technological age is that it takes children, even if only for short periods, away from gadgets such as tablets, phones, or PlayStations... Pets are real friends, unlike the unreal alternatives that technology provides them with” (Victoria Romero, PARQUE VETERINARY CLINIC)
“It is necessary to grow up with animals. It teaches children a multitude of lessons about life: friendship, care, responsibility, affection...” (Inma Ronda Ramírez, El Bosque Veterinary Hospital)
Growing up with a dog is an opportunity to give and receive unconditional love and learn the noblest feelings, as well as lessons in respect and tolerance. A dog is another member of the family.
Tell us on our social media: Did you grow up with a dog? What advantages do you think it offers?