Benefits of Having a Pet
Having a pet can provide benefits at every stage of life. Studies have shown that having a family pet can have an effect on physical health, mental wellbeing, and emotional development.
Emotional Health & Development
To children, pets can be seen as nonjudgmental and confidential sources of support – helping to encourage greater mental, social, and emotional wellbeing.1,2,3,4
A Healthier Immune System
Having a dog or cat early in life can positively affect a developing immune system, and may reduce the risk of certain allergies or asthma in at-risk children.5,6
Autism Spectrum Disorder
According to recent studies, children with ASD often experience positive behavioral changes and increased social interaction skills when they’re around animals.7,8,9,10
Fun Coloring Books For the Family
Need to entertain more than just your pets? Try our cute and educational doggy and kitty coloring books!
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References:
- Kertes, D. A., Liu, J., Hall, N. J., Hadad, N. A., Wynne, C. D., & Bhatt, S. S. (2017). Effect of pet dogs on children's perceived stress and cortisol stress response. Social development, 26(2), 382-401. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5400290/
- Kertes, D. A., Liu, J., Hall, N. J., Hadad, N. A., Wynne, C. D., & Bhatt, S. S. (2017). Effect of pet dogs on children's perceived stress and cortisol stress response. Social development, 26(2), 382-401. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5400290/
- https://habri.org/grants/projects/the-health-and-developmental-benefits-of-companion-animals-for-young-children-advancing-the-evidence-base
- Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C., Meints, K., Gee, N., & Westgarth, C. (2017). Companion animals and child/adolescent development: a systematic review of the evidence. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(3), 234. https://habricentral.org/resources/62558
- Wegienka, G., Johnson, C. C., Havstad, S., Ownby, D. R., Nicholas, C., & Zoratti, E. M. (2011). Lifetime dog and cat exposure and dog‐and cat‐specific sensitization at age 18 years. Clinical & experimental allergy, 41(7), 979-986. https://habricentral.org/resources/58578
- Gern, J. E., Reardon, C. L., Hoffjan, S., Nicolae, D., Li, Z., Roberg, K. A., … & Anderson, E. (2004). Effects of dog ownership and genotype on immune development and atopy in infancy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 113(2), 307-314. https://habricentral.org/resources/34407
- Carlisle, G., Johnson, R., Wang, Z., Bibbo, J., Cheak-Zamora, N., Lyons, L. (2021). Exploratory study of cat adoption in families of children with autism: Impact on children's social skills and anxiety. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, Volume 58, Pages 28-35. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0882596320306631?dgcid=author
- https://habri.org/grants/projects/shelter-cat-adoption-in-families-of-children-with-autism-impact-on-childrens-social-skills-and-anxiety-as-well-as-cat-stress
- Hall, Sophie S., et al. "The long-term benefits of dog ownership in families with children with autism." Journal of Veterinary Behavior 13 (2016): 46-54. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S155878781630034X
- https://habri.org/grants/projects/long-term-effects-of-pet-dogs-on-families-with-children-with-autism
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