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Pets and children
Contact with companion animals has been shown to be important in several areas of child development and health.
Child development
Contact with companion animals is shown to be particularly important in children's social and emotional development, for example in promoting self-esteem and encouraging the development of humane attitudes, such as empathy and nurturing.
Studies have also demonstrated the importance of pets offering social support particularly during transitional periods such as during adolescence or periods of family illness or breakdown.
Health
Research supports the idea that children benefit physically, emotionally and socially from regular contact with companion animals.
Physical benefits include increased exercise, stronger immune systems (as evidenced by lower absenteeism rates from school through illness for children from pet-owning families) and lower incidences of asthma and allergies for children exposed to pets during their first year of life.
Emotional benefits of pets include providing comfort and also acting as confidantes for children children will often share their feelings and emotions with their pets, rather than with another human being.
Children who have developed healthy bonds by caring for animals are more empathetic as adults and are able to transfer nurturing and social skills into their interactions with people.