PET BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN AND ELDERLY

BENEFITS OF PETS FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT.

Having a pet in childhood have several development benefits to children.

 Whether it is a rabbit, gold fish, a dog, cat or a hamster, children enjoy their companionship and help their social, emotional, memory, reasoning, responsibility and problem solving abilities to improve.

   The developing and the developed world has changed the life style of our children. They are more inclined to stay indoors with reading, watching television, playing video games, mobile phones and computer use with no vigorous physical exercise.

   A pet dog can change a child’s sedentary life by walking a dog or running and simple things like just throwing a ball or a fetch game are great ways to exercise.

   Pets and children can become an easy bridge to socialize with other children.

   Animals accept us for who we are and pets give us some practice in social relationship.   Many children have difficulty in reading or have a stage fright reading in public. By reading to a dog, children relax and focus on the dog and reading. This builds their self-confidence.

   As a child grows and starts their interaction with pets and take on more care for their dogs with simple task of filling the food bowl, changing drinking water, grooming, cleaning the living area, all this helps to build self-confidence.

   Parents teach children responsibility, pets make a good vehicle for learning.

   Encourage children to read and research about their pets or other dog breeds.  

Bring the child along to a veterinarian visit and give them the opportunity to question about proper care, pet’s health, diet or medicines.

   Since pet relation is non-judgmental, they are a good source to develop special bonds between a pet and a child and are a therapeutical source.

  

A shy or a sullen, angry, sulky or a reticent teenager can change their behavioral pattern in a pets company.

BENEFITS FOR ELDERLY OWNING PETS.

People age differently and the decision needs to be made carefully and also by grown children of the elders, who otherwise think it sounds good to provide a companionship.

   If an elder is set in his ways and is not ready for a change then you may not be a good candidate to have a pet.

   If you have disabilities, dogs can be wonderful companions who encourage elderly with no physical limitation to walk and interact.

   Choose a pet of the right age and also it is not too old. The pet should be healthy as you wouldn’t want to compromise an elder person’s immune system.

   Sometime an elder might need the companionship of a ‘Therapy dog’.

A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people

In homes, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, hospices or disaster areas.

Golden Retrievers are often used as therapy dogs for their calm, gentle and friendly disposition.

   Research indicates that interaction with therapy dogs can temporarily

effect the release of various neuro transmitters in the brain linked with bonding, reward and motivation system and suppress stress.

   As you age, you may start moving away from things that previously occupied your time. At these moments choosing to adopt a dog, preferably an older mature dog can bring you the pleasure, helps boost

your morale and also provide a sense of self-worth.

   Dogs encourage playfulness, laughter and exercise. They are a great source for seniors to spark up conversation and meet new people.

   Dogs certainly bring order to our lives and helps bring routine and discipline to our day by going for daily walks, chalking their playtime, eating routines and making vet visits.

In the beginning you may feel this as menial or monotonous work but eventually they become habits and purpose to our lives. We get inclined to feel happier and be more productive.

   Dogs can give you unconditional love and a boost for our well-being.

HEALTH BOOSTERS.

Scientists have long believed and a new research suggest that dog owners are physically healthier.

Dogs promote to our well-being as studies have also found,

Dog owners have less depression.

 They lower blood pressure in stressful situation.

 Pet owners are calm and relaxed they have lower Triglyceride        and Cholesterol levels – heart indications.

A Pet does not have to be a dog or a cat even watching your aquarium fish can relax your muscles and lower the pulse rate.

 Dogs as companions takes the focus away of loneliness and isolation.

 Most dog owners talk to them, some use them as a lever to work through troubles.

 And nothing beats coming home to a wagging tail after an exhausted day.