Children With Pets Have Less Stress
I never grew up with animals; unlike my Father who grew up on a farm in New Mexico with horses, chickens, cats, and dogs the only pets I had until I was in High School were fish that always managed to die on me. I couldn’t really blame my parents though because of my dad’s military career we really never had the chance to get any pets much to the pleasure of my mom and brother who are highly allergic to anything with fur. Some of the places I lived (Japan, Italy, England) wouldn’t allow animals on the base or in housing and apartments we lived in. Although I understood why I wasn’t allowed to have any real pets I was always devastated and felt like I was missing something or left out when I asked for a dog every Christmas and was disappointed.
It turns out that a children with pets have less stress. A pet dog may protect your child from childhood anxiety, according to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pet dogs had already been linked with health benefits for adults, as promoted by the US Public Health Service (USPHS), but now the CDC is reporting that mental health and anxiety in children drastically improves with pets.
Dogs also have also been reported in a current study to reduce BMI, which could be a useful tool in helping stop childhood obesity. researchers from Bassett Medical Center in New York investigated the hypothesis that pet dogs are positively associated with healthy weight and mental health among children. This could be because the responsibility of having, walking, and caring for a dog in which a child is more likely to exercise or even from low stress levels which influences dietary decisions.
Whatever the reason this just gives many of us to splurge especially this holiday season in our attempt to justify obtaining a four legged friend. I know I have another reason to whine to my parents of all the benefits I potentially missed out on.
This was a great topic and post. I do notice how nice and the “fullness” I feel now that my family has a dog. We got him last Christmas, so we are new dog owners, but I know that people who are upset or stressed can easily turn to a companion to cheer you up. The dog can usually sense when someone is upset.
This was a very interesting post that includes a bunch of good points. Like Dan, I have also heard that dog have been known to help people suffering with mental illnesses. Its amazing how helpful a companion can be, opposed to a bunch of medicines that may or may not work. I really enjoyed reading this article. Good Job!
These are some great points. Dogs have also shown to help people who suffer from a mental illnesses. For example the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released studies that have shown that having a service dog can help a veteran out with feelings of love and support and dogs also can help reduce stress.