Children and Pets A Healthy Combination

There have been many studies about the relationship between young children and having pets in the home. It has been found that having a pet dog or cat can actually make a baby healthier in their first year of life. They become less susceptible to respiratory infections, such as the common cold, and also have been less apt to have ear infections in their first twelve months of life. In addition to the health of children, pets can teach children useful skills that are helpful in their social interactions with people.

Pets may help in the development of immunity in children because of the dirt and soil that they bring in from the outdoors. Children need to be exposed to many different elements to become immune to their surroundings. The findings of having cats in the household as pets were not as strong as having dogs because a dog goes outdoors on a more regular basis. Having pets in the household will not take away allergies if there is a strong family history, but there have also been studies done suggesting that children will not be as likely to become allergic to animals if they have regular exposure to them.

Children can learn empathy, responsibility, communication, both verbal and nonverbal, and how to deal with stressful situations in a constructive manner from owning a pet. These skills can come from being a pet owner and taking the pet for walk, cleaning and maintenance of a yard used by the pet, and learning to talk to the pet with a calm voice even in stressful situations. Pets are often used for therapy with children that have learning disabilities or difficult home or family situations. Children that have pets learn to pay attention to nonverbal signals of communication, which is …

Children and Pets A Healthy Combination Read More

The Importance of Pets

Pets are very important to all that own them. Those that own pets live longer more satisfied lives. They have been known to lower our blood pressure and give us a reason for each day. I have owned both dogs and cats and they all left their paw prints on my heart. Each individual pet has their own personality and their relationship with you is built on love and trust.

Some dogs are hunting companions. They enjoy retrieving game with their owners and enjoy their outings together. These dogs make great family pets also. I had an Irish setter that went hunting for birds with my husband. She was all business in the woods but when home was the sweetest dog. This dog also was taken to Obedience trials and won ribbons in dog shows. She helped make cherished memories for our family.

I have seen guide dogs as they allow their owner to participate in activities they could not without their presence. There used to be a man guided into our church every Sunday to sit in the first row by his guide dog. The priest went out of his way to bring him the communion host. The dog was obedient and a blessing to this man and it was beautiful to watch the dog as he worked. No one was allowed to pet the dog while he was doing his job. He was a beautiful German shepherd.

There are other dogs that are just family pets. I had two other dogs that I used to walk daily. I miss them and their times with me as they have now passed over the rainbow bridge. The second dog was an English setter and the third dog was a Gordon setter. There are so many fun memories that …

The Importance of Pets Read More