by Mary Ellen Carlson, Director
Heritage House Childcare & Learning Center

“Reverence for life starts usually with the first pet. If you can get kids to care for and associate with animals from an early age, they’re far more likely to have a care and concern for all life when they’re teenagers.” - Bret Sellers

December 2007 - The childhood memories of mine which stand out as being entertaining, whimsical, and humorous often included a moment in time with a beloved pet. I can recall just about every pet that made it into our house or barn. I am the youngest of four children and there were pets in our household long before I existed. I never knew our home without a dog running around. I do, however, recall the first pet that was given specifically to me.

My parents presented me with my first kitten that came from my grandpa’s farm. I was so excited to have a kitten and named her, “Puff.” She was a beautiful Calico with a line down the center of her nose, one half brown and the other black. We became fast friends. Dad showed me how to take food to the barn to feed her and make sure she had water. Many kittens, bunnies, cows, horses, goats, birds, gerbils, and puppies later, I still recall that day as being an incredible moment in my personal timeline. It was around my fifth birthday.

We all know that a pet can be a very positive force in your child’s life. But, unfortunately it can also become a negative force if the wrong pet is brought into the home. It will pay off if you do your “homework” first before bringing a pet into your child’s life.

It is very important to choose a pet that is right for your environment and will fit into your lifestyle. Do your research before you go to the pet store or breeder. It is very difficult to be rational when that adorable pet is looking at you with those “take me home” eyes. A poor match can bring immense frustration later.

The ABC’s of Responsible Pet Ownership from SPCA states:

Nearly 60 percent of households in the country own pets. One in four of those pets will end up in an animal shelter. This percentage can easily be decreased with a few pertinent pet pointers:

• Before your new pet is even brought home, you and your family should discuss “the rules” to ensure that your pet receives a consistent message.

• Spay or neuter your cat or dog. This avoids millions of pets being put to sleep because there are not enough homes for them.

• Proper training is very important. New puppies or dogs not accustomed to staying alone can bark or howl. Praise your pet and offer rewards for staying alone at different increments in time. Even trained and domesticated animals can be aggressive. Look into the types of personalities and traits different animals and breeds possess.

• Since very young children (under four years) do not have the maturity to control their impulsive behaviors, they should always be monitored with pets. Young children rarely can take care of an animal solely on their own and parents must oversee this to make sure the pet is getting proper care.

• Parents serve as role models. Children learn responsible pet ownership by observing their parents behavior. Children should be reminded in a gentle, not scolding way, that animals, like people, need food, water and exercise.

• Be prepared to take over the care of any pet when a child becomes uncooperative in caring for the animal.

Open discussion, parental involvement, and planning while dealing with pet ownership usually ends in a positive experience for everyone. Children who learn to care for a pet and treat it kindly and patiently will gain invaluable experience in learning to treat people the same way. It is very unhealthy for children to experience careless treatment of animals as this will have the opposite negative impact on them.

According to AACAP, pet ownership offers many advantages to children, as follows:

Children raised with pets show many benefits. Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others. A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy. Pets serve different purposes for children:

• They can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts. (Children often talk to pets, like they do their stuffed animals.)

• They provide lessons about life: reproduction, birth, illnesses, accidents, death and bereavement.

• They can help develop responsible behavior in the children who care for them.

• They can provide a connection to nature.

• They can teach respect for other living things.

Other physical and emotional needs fulfilled by pet ownership include:

• Physical activity.

• Comfort contact.

• Love, loyalty, and affection.

• Experience with loss if a pet is lost or dies.

If you decide that a pet would not fit into your lifestyle, then there are many ways to expose your child to animals and animal care. Plan field trips to a local zoo, veterinary clinic, or pet store. Check your community for local farms open to visitation. A couple of local sources in our area for animal education are The Roger Tory Peterson Institute and the Jamestown Audubon Society. A visit to the local animal shelter is always a very enlightening experience.

Many day care centers have pet visiting days. At Heritage House, our children have the opportunity to participate in Mike’s Animal Adventure during an intergenerational activity at Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing which is across the street. Pet visitation at Heritage House is always a highlight of the curriculum during “Farm Animal Month.” Inviting guest speakers such as wildlife biologists, veterinarians, zookeepers, breeders, and trainers are all wonderful learning experiences for children. There are many working dog programs such as Canine Corps, Seeing Eye and Hearing Specialties, and Police Corps. It is a good idea to always talk to these groups before inviting them in to make sure their content is appropriate for communication with your particular age group.

Pets can bring a lot of love into your home and can be an incredible experience for your child. Educate yourself in animal care and precaution care for your child so that their are no surprises. Take your time in making this decision and look at all aspects to guarantee the most compatible pet for your family. If the time is not right for you to have a pet then take advantage of community and school resources to introduce your child to these warm, intriguing, interesting, individual, and loving creatures.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” - Anatole France