Emotional Benefits Of Pet Dogs For Kids

Dogs have long been celebrated as  “man’s best friend.” Not only are they adorable, friendly, and fun to play with, they also provide 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 a few incredible emotional benefits that pet dogs can bring to children:

Comfort and companionship

The companionship of a pet 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. A study published in The Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health concluded, “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.”

A healthy distraction from negative emotions

Pets give children something to focus on that is positive versus the sometimes negative thoughts swirling through their heads. The magic of focused 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 that healthy distraction they need to feel better.

A pain reliever and mood booster

The simple act of petting a dog has been shown to release endorphins into our brain, which are powerful pain relievers and mood boosters. These are the same hormones that give us pleasure and that feeling of a natural “high.” Petting a dog also reduces cortisol, the hormone that is released in response to stressful situations. Dog owners are also less likely to be depressed, and in fact, have higher levels of serotonin and dopamine than non-dog owners.

New ways to meet neighbors and friends

Being social boosts happiness at all ages. Having a dog provides new ways to interact with more neighbors and friends. For example, when you go for a walk with your dog around the neighborhood, you will probably run into people to chat with. You can venture out with your kids to the park and see friends or make new ones. Dogs also tend to be a hot topic, so having a dog helps to initiate conversations with both those you know and those you want to know better.

More exercise and less stress

We know how important exercise is for our physical and mental health. Having a dog to walk helps us get more exercise, which ultimately reduces stress. A study out of the University of Missouri showed that the best companion for a walk is your dog. The study showed that individuals who walked alone with a dog averaged 300 minutes a week of walking versus 168 minutes a week if they walked with family or friends. The study also found that those who walked a dog reached the recommended level of physical activity for their age group 50 percent more often when compared to those walking without a dog.

And what if you can’t own a pet dog, or aren’t interested in having the responsibility? Fortunately, there are still many ways for you and your children to enjoy spending time with these furry friends. You might want to explore these options:

• Volunteer to walk dogs at your local animal shelter.
• Offer to walk the dog for a friend or neighbor who may be ill, out of town, or temporarily unable to get out every day.
• Participate in a therapy dog reading program at your local library.
• Partner up with a friend or relative who owns a dog; volunteer to help out with pet therapy visits or participate in a dog-friendly charity walk, run, or other events.
• Foster a rescued dog temporarily or volunteer with the rescue organization.
• See if your school will start an adopt-a-dog program or at least bring in a dog occasionally. Research shows that classroom pets provide significant benefits for children’s social, behavioral, and academic development.