Kids and Pets go together like peanut butter and jelly, there’s even a holiday to celebrate the wonderful bond between them. April 26th is National Kids and Pets Day, the annual holiday was created by Pet & Home Lifestyle Expert Colleen Paige to educate the public about child-pet-safety, promote the numerous benefits of adding a pet to you family, and to raise awareness of the hundreds of shelter animals in need of a forever home.
A pet can provide a child with benefits such as affection, companionship, and even cognitive and social development. Many children will turn to their pets for comfort when they are sad, angry, or afraid. Pets give children something to talk about with others helping them be more social and can help children who are shy gain self-confidence. Some elementary schools even have programs in which children read aloud to a dog or a cat. Reading to an animal as opposed to a parent or teacher puts a child in a state of relaxation since there is no judgment from the animal, thus self-esteem and reading skills improve.
In addition, many life lessons can come from growing up with a pet. When kids are taught how to properly interact with their pets they learn safety, responsibility, and compassion. Colleen Paige mentions on her website how often children will “innocently” pull on the tail or ears of a family pet which triggers a normally affectionate pet to lash out aggressively. When children are taught basic manners when interacting with pets they are not only safer but they learn the vital lessons of compassion and respect for other living creatures. A child who is taught compassion and respect is likely to carry that into adulthood and extend it to both animals and other humans.
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If your family has been thinking about getting an addition Paige urges you to save a life and consider adopting one of the millions of homeless pets in shelters. Every year many shelter animals are euthanized due to overpopulation. With so many breeds and age categories to choose from, animal shelters are a prime source to find the perfect pet for your family, just make sure your child and family are ready before adopting!
For more tips on how to have fun with your dog, visit Village Critter Outfitter at 107 Cherry Street in New Canaan.
