For many children, nothing lights up their child’s eyes like seeing their dog when they get home from school every day.
Do you have a child with special needs? Have you ever thought about getting them a pet? Children who have learning disabilities, ADHD, processing disorders, and other behavioral issues can usually benefit from having a family-friendly pet. With that said, here are four significant advantages of pet ownership for children with special needs.
Promotes Happiness
Pets help evoke positive emotions from their owners. For many children, nothing lights up their child’s eyes like seeing their dog when they get home from school every day. A pet can help put your child in a better mood whenever they are at home. In addition to putting your child in a better mood, a pet can teach a child how to be more empathetic towards others.
Promotes Interaction
Most children love playing with pets. It is more constructive for a child to interact with a living creature than an inanimate object like a stuffed animal. Children are also more prone to speak for more extended periods when they are in the presence of a pet. As a result, the child should turn into a better communicator.
They Help Relieve Stress
Children have all sorts of stressors in their lives. Whether it is school or social interactions, they need to have outlets to release some of the tension in their lives. Playing fetch with a dog is a great way to help a child with anxiety.
They Assist Learning
A child can learn a lot from being a pet owner. Not only does it teach a child responsibility, but it also improves a child’s motivation around the house. Also, owning a pet has shown to help improve a child’s listening skills as well.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.