The Role of Pets in Enhancing Human Well Being

A lot of parents choose to get a pet for their children for different reasons. These reasons may be teaching responsibility, developing character, becoming more sociable, and so on. These may be non-specialized opinions, but in fact, the way pets can influence a human being has been the subject of a lot of research. The advantages of owning a pet is being discovered.

For example, as far as child development is concerned, a lot of progress has been made beginning with the thesis that child development relies on a number of variables. This branch of science refers to the social-emotional development to which cognitive development is to be added. The first element is related to self-esteem and social skills, while the other one refers to the child's different abilities of gaining knowledge. Also, parents are extremely important in a child's life, influencing their development.

As for the way pets can influence child development, there are direct and indirect ways. Directly, when children have pets at home, their social-emotional development is positively influenced, as they learn how to take care of their pets together with their parents. Moreover, they have their own tasks, which make them more competent. Also, their self-esteem is influenced by the way they get involved and accept their pet as part of the family. They learn imitating, empathy, social support, affection and so on. For the cognitive part, apparently, they learn the language easier. Indirectly, it has to do with parenting, relationships or with the way they perceive the birth of another animal. For example, if they see their new puppies in the bathroom or their hamsters giving birth to other tiny hamsters right in front of their eyes. In the hamster cages they have next to the TV, they get a whole new perspective on the beginning of life and if they are older, even their sexual education.

Apart from child development, pets also bring certain health benefits. For example, pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and can make that feeling of loneliness go away. Other such health benefits include more opportunities to go out and play or to do some other outdoor activities and also the chances to socialize with other pet owners. In fact, there are many associations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association that promote the health benefits pets can bring. Articles such as Health Benefits of Animals, Health Benefits of Pet-Ownership Strengthens Human-Animal Bond or Health Benefits of Pets on the CDC website relate the many benefits.

It is recommended to have pets at home especially if you have children. It is true that sometimes owners may be a bit discouraged by the fact that they have to clean up after them and undo the mess their pets leave behind. But, the advantages of having pets are much more numerous. And you have a little, new unconditional loving friend around you all the time.

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