By Sandi Schwartz
www.growingupchico.com
school and home
Emotional Benefits Of Pet Dogs For Kids
10
growing up chico magazine
Dogs are known to be “a man’s best friend.” Not only are they adorable, friendly, and fun to play with, they also provide so many incredible emotional benefits. Many people feel happier and calmer by welcoming a furry friend into their home. In fact, more than 38 million American households own a dog, according to an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) survey in 2017-2018. Dogs, in particular, have gotten a great deal of attention lately for being a soothing friend to their human owners. A recent study by Preventing Chronic Disease revealed that having a dog as a child makes an individual less likely to suffer from anxiety later in life. Scientists compared two study groups of young children: 370 who were living with a dog and 273 who were not. They discovered that 12 percent of those who grew up with a pet dog suffered from anxiety compared to 21 percent who didn’t have a dog. Here are the incredible emotional benefits of having a pet dog for children: Offers Comfort and Companionship A pet’s companionship offers coping skills for kids by alleviating loneliness and isolation, which can be part of
anxiety and depression. Kids find support and security in having a pet companion to always be there for them and provide them with the feeling of unconditional love. According to The Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “There is growing evidence that children turn to their pets for comfort, reassurance, and emotional support when feeling anger, sadness, or happiness. Thus, it is plausible that companion animals may have the potential to encourage better emotional health and reduce anxiety and depression.” Provides a Healthy Distraction Pets give children something to focus on that is positive versus the sometimes negative thoughts swirling through their heads. The magic of concentrated attention is that we can use it to help get over negative emotions like fear. We can redirect our attention towards something that relaxes us. Just petting or playing with a dog can give a child the healthy distraction they need to feel better. Boosts Positive Hormones The simple act of petting a dog has been shown to release endorphins in our brains. Endorphins are powerful pain relievers and mood boosters. These are the same hormones
