What To Do This Summer?

If you have a child that loves dogs or horses, think about finding a summer camp that supports their activities with their pet.  When you put kids together with their pet and help them learn more about how to train and care for them, you help establish a life-long bond that connects your child to all animals. There are summer camps for learning about Therapy Dogs, for Dog Training, for Dog Sports. There are Horse Camps for both kids that want to ride horses and children that need therapy that horses can provide. Many shelters offer summer day camps where children learn about pets. Spend some time searching the internet for local camps, then check them out by talking to families who’s children have been to the camp and asking for recommendations from local vets, dog trainers, dog groomers or pet sitters. Visit the camp to make sure that both you and your child are comfortable that it’s a positive, fun and safe place for kids and pets. It will be an experience your child will treasure for life.

Having A Dog Increases Exercise of Kids

A pet's physical needs for activity, exercise and play contribute to encouraging exercise for children. Playing with their pet, especially if it's a dog or cat, promotes exercise for both kids and pets. Whether it's walking the dog with a parent, throwing balls or sticks for their dog to chase, or letting their cat chase a string they're pulling, activity is good for kids and pets.

Having A Dog Good for Boys and Girls

• Studies Show Boys and girls love pets equally. Gender doesn't seem to matter when it comes to loving a pet. In fact, studies have found it may be more beneficial for boys to have a pet during early childhood. In today's world men and women share household responsibilities, caring for children and supporting the family financially, but observing boys as young as 4, pre-school teachers found that boys think playing with dolls (caring for babies) is “women’s work.” They not only avoided playing with dolls but also didn't want to help care for younger children. Instead their preferred activities were related to sports, playing with cars and trucks and “going to work.” Pets help children develop nurturing, caring and empathy.

Having A Dog Fosters Caring, Nuturing

Dogs Help Kids Develop Non-Verbal Communication, Compassion and Empathy.

According to the AACAP* “A good relationship with a pet can also help children in developing non-verbal communication, compassion and empathy.” Pets can be safe listeners to the secrets and private thoughts of children. Pets provide children with information about all phases of life: birth, illness, accidents, injury, death and grief - and teach respect for all living things. *American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry  February 2012

Having A Dog Helps Kids Learn to Care

• Helping you take care of a pet can help a child learn to nurture, connect with other people and become a caring person.  Children need to learn to care for others and establish secure relationships and attachments early in their development. Today’s latchkey kids, mixed families, “alternating households” and play things (when’s the last time you saw a child playing with a baby doll?) don’t foster nurturing but connecting with animals does. Even if your child can't have a pet for whatever reason, they can learn about pets and visit your friend's pets and help them care for their pet.

Having A Dog Helps Kids Read, Communicate

Therapy Dogs Benefit Kids - in Their Class Rooms

Bella, a beautiful (as you may have guessed by her name) Australian Shepherd, is a reading teacher at Desert Knolls Elementary school in Apple Valley, CA! She’s a “reading education assistance dog.” She volunteers by visiting the classrooms and the school library where children read to her. They don’t have to worry that she will correct their pronunciation, she just likes to listen. They get practice reading, It helps them gain confidence and they “adore” Bella. 

Child Psychologist Dr. Frieson conducted a study in 2010 with children and therapy dogs in a class room setting. He found that the animals provide a social and emotional support system for children. Because the animal seems non-judgmental to the child, it is perceived as comforting. Bella, by the way, has her own Facebook page: Read-With-Bella. Please visit and LIKE her page.

Having A Dog - Helps Kids Learn Empathy

Having a Dog Helps Tweens Learn Empathy

Studies show that kids between10 and 12 talk to their parents only 11 to 33 minutes per WEEK! At a time when its critical for them to learn to be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others (developing empathy), this lack of communication with their family is shocking. Dr. Robert E. Bierer’s studied kids with and without dogs. He asked each group 72 questions about their relationships with others. No matter what their ethnicity or background, the 93 children who had dogs showed much more empathy toward others and had more self-esteem than the 33 kids who didn’t have a dog. That's a really good reason for having a family pet! January 2012