The Many Benefits of Having a Pet in Your Family – Especially a Dog!


little kid and dog
Have you ever noticed that most kids are drawn like magnets to animals? I think there are lots of reasons why this is so, but I think the biggest reason is because pets give unconditional love and accept us for who we are. This is especially true for dogs. As well as being able to understand many of the words that we say, by paying attention to our tone of voice and body language, dogs can be quite adept at tuning into our behaviors and feelings. The gifts that your dog can bring to your family are immeasurable.
My youngest child Luke, who is 19 now, pretty much stopped having regular conversations with his Dad and I several years ago, which is probably common for many teenagers. However, he also spends as little time as possible in the companionship with other human beings too – including his peers. This is obviously not a healthy way to live for an extended period of time, which is the situation with Luke.

Enter our two family pets that we have had over the years as Luke was growing up…

Our Husky Camper (who passed away a few years ago), and our current Husky Ella, have literally been life-savers for Luke. I am not saying this lightly; I really mean it. Our pets seem to have been the only living beings in Luke’s life that he has felt comfortable opening up to. Camper and Ella have provided Luke with valuable companionship that he is not willing to accept from most people.

While it is always hard to get more than a few words from Luke in one sitting, this is not the case with him and Ella, whom he will “talk” to for extended periods of time. Ella does not judge him, interrupt him or tell Luke that his thoughts do not make sense.

I believe that spending time with Ella helps raise Luke’s self-esteem and helps him to feel better about himself because he has received unconditional acceptance. Because Luke has been the beneficiary of that acceptance after he spends time with Ella, it seems to be easier for him to extend that same benefit towards us, his family – for a while anyway!

At times my son will “tolerate” a quick hug from his Mom or Dad, yet he will cuddle up with and roll around on the floor with Ella for extended periods of time. Ella is helping fulfill the basic human need for touch, which can calm us and lower our stress levels. After spending time with Ella, Luke is always more visibly relaxed and happier.

Many studies have shown that pets really do help reduce stress, anxiety, depression and many other negative symptoms, including post traumatic stress disorder.

Because animals need regular feeding and exercise, having a pet can contribute positively to our physical health too. If properly cared for, your pet will keep your family moving and get your kids off the couch at least long enough to take the dog for a needed walk. It’s also much easier to get a child outside to play if they have a dog to throw a stick or a ball to.

Helping with pet care can also help build self-confidence. Every time your child helps with things such as feeding, walking, and pet grooming, he/she will feel more confident and capable.

Pets can even help build social skills. After all, what child doesn’t want to be around another child who has a pet with them? Talking about animals (especially between kids) is always a good ice-breaker!

Academically, animals can be a big asset too. Even if you do not have a family pet, your child may be more motivated to read more because they will want to learn about their favorite animals, which will in turn help their cognitive development. Having your child read out loud to their pet (if they have one) will boost both their reading skills and their confidence in their reading ability.

There are lots more pluses to having a pet in your home, and in my personal opinion (as is quite obvious), a dog is your best choice.

For my family, the biggest asset to making Camper and Ella part of our lives is how much they have given back to my family, especially my son Luke. The truth is, no matter how much my husband and I try to show Luke how much we love him, we just can’t seem to get that across to him as well as Ella can.

I have to face the facts and consider what we are up against. We are never going to be able to compete with the uncontainable exuberance of a furry friend who jumps up to greet him at the door, barking ecstatically and licking his face.

And I’m just fine with that.

 

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons/Dogperson3d

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