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H
Responsibility
Most parents are often looking
for creative ways to teach their
children valuable life skills such
as responsibility and ownership
of themselves and others. By
having a pet at home, Afridi says
then children are able to develop
a higher sense of responsibility
by being in-charge of taking
care of their pet; this can include
duties assigned to the child to
feed, walk, and clean their pet,
as well as caring for their pets
general well-being. “As children
learn to take responsibility for
their pet, this skill can then be
transferred to other areas of their
life such as academics, taking
care of their siblings, as well
as general contribution in the
family’s home,” she explains.
Enhanced
Self-Esteem
When children have a pet at
home, for them, it becomes
someone they can turn to and
be fully accepted by, day in
and out which Afridi says can
boost and enhance their self-
esteem. Unlike their parents and
friends, who children may feel
judged by sometimes, pets are
fully accepting and show love
to their owner in a way that can
create and nurture feelings of
well-being and unconditional
acceptance.
Increased
Self-Confidence
For a child and adolescent,
who may go through times in
their development where they
feel hurt and judged by others,
the relationship they have with
their pet, who they know they
can confide in and fully accepts
them, actually enhances their
self-esteem and confidence, says
Afridi. “In addition, pets provide
a source of emotional support
for children because they know
they can turn to them and feel
understood by them at all times,”
she notes.
Exercise Companion
In the digital age, children are not
getting as much time to be active
or be outdoors, which in turn is
affecting their physical health.
“When a child has a pet, in this
case, a dog, they are more likely
to spend time outdoors, whether
it is taking the dog for a walk or
playing with them which enables
the opportunity to be active,” says
Afridi. “This way, their play time
with the dog becomes a good
workout, which contributes to
them being physically fit, in a way
that is fun and playful for them.
Specific Benefits of Owning a Pet
Family Harmony
Having a pet at home can create
a greater sense of harmony
for all members in the family,
which Afridi says contributes to
a warm and caring atmosphere
in the home. “A family may
choose to take walks together
with their pet, or come up with
creative ways to interact with
their pet, which becomes a
basis for the family to spend
time together in a way that
everyone enjoys,” she says.
“Having a pet, someone who
gives unconditional love and
acceptance to all members in
a family, can be a way to unite,
and be the glue that bonds the
family together.”
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May/June 2015