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“Kids and pets” definitely has a magical ring when you say it. However, watching the interaction between kids and pets is where the real magic is. Therefore, a special day is set aside each year to recognize the relationship between kids and pets.
In America, we observe National Kids and Pets Day annually on April 26th. This special day was established in 2005 by pet lifestyle expert, Colleen Paige. An animal lover and a mother, Paige’s dedicated day honors the bond between kids and pets.
The bond between a child and a pet is a silent and magical connection. It is a link between two souls that was created in the stars above. It is a love and loyalty that becomes an eternal part of the human experience. There is nothing more pure, more at peace, more perfect than the love a child and their pet share together.
Colleen Paige, Pet Lifestyle Expert and Founder of National Kids & Pets Day
In addition, this day celebrates educating about safety between kids and pets. Furthermore, National Kids and Pets Day helps bring awareness to the millions of shelter animals in America.
The future of our children and their ability to show compassion toward animals and each other, depends on us, to give them the skills necessary to make the world a better, kinder place to live.
Colleen Paige, Pet Lifestyle Expert and Founder of National Kids & Pets Day
Kids and pets just naturally bond. In other words, there is a strong connection that kids have with their pets, especially dogs. With a dog, kids learn how to be a good “pack leader.” However, in return, their dogs teach them so many valuable life lessons.
Kids and Pets – 5 Lessons Learned
Dogs are family, and out of all pets, they are most emotionally attached to their “human pack”. In addition, dogs can have a lifelong impact on a child’s development when they grow up with them. For example, children learn about compassion, responsibility, caregiving, and so much more.
Owning a dog creates many teachable moments. So, let’s take a look at five lessons learned by owning a family dog.
1. Responsibility
Pets need a lot of care, so they naturally make adults and kids, alike, be responsible. Kids can take on responsibility tasks no matter what age. For example, even a five-year-old can fill a water bowl with fresh water.
But, more than anything, learning to take care of another living being is a great life lesson. In addition, the emotional connection we have with dogs make us want to take care of them.
So, taking care of the family dog is a great way for kids to learn responsibility.
2. Gentleness
Children learn to be gentle when touching animals with our help as parents. Your family dog may be okay with his tail being pulled. But, it is best to teach kids not to do this.
By learning to be gentle with the family dog, kids learn how to approach all animals with care.
3. Respect of Personal Space and Boundaries
In addition to learning how to be gentle when touching, kids can understand personal space and boundaries. Growing up with a dog, kids can learn at an early age how to respect others.
Parents can teach them to not touch a dog when they are eating or playing with a toy. Therefore, kids are learning to show their dog respect for their space and a boundary is set.
So, with this lesson, kids now know how to share with and respect siblings, playmates, and classmates.
4. Self Confidence
Dogs are social and emotional creatures that bring comfort and even healing to children. In addition, a dog’s unconditional love and loyalty helps children find self confidence. They learn to trust, because their dog is non-judgemental.
I teach in an area where dogs are brought into school settings for struggling readers. Therefore, this situation helps kids improve their reading abilities, because they feel like they are teaching the dogs.
5. Compassion and Empathy
Kids taking care of pets helps to instill compassion and empathy for animals and for other people. Therefore, since dogs are amazing non-verbal communicators, kids learn to recognize how their pet is feeling.
Understanding how their dog is feeling is all about compassion and empathy. Kids learn to pay attention to another’s needs besides their own. In other words, they are putting themselves in their dogs’ “shoes” to know what they are feeling.
Children who don’t develop empathy are in grave danger of becoming a bully as they get older. A bully simply is not aware of and/or doesn’t care about other people’s feelings.
However, programs such as the Mutt-i-grees® program are helping build confident and caring kids. The program focuses on shelter dogs to teach children social and emotional skills.
I encourage you to check out their website right now. They are offering free remote online lessons through June 30th. The program teaches children how to treat animals with compassion. Therefore, children are learning to do the same for other human beings.
Safety Awareness Between Kids and Pets
Thousands of children are injured every year and sadly it is usually by a family pet. As a result, it’s scary and confusing for the whole family when this happens.
Most of the time, the pet isn’t showing true aggression, but rather a self-protection instinct. Therefore, it is super important to teach kids how to be safe around their pets.
Tips to keeping kids safe:
- Supervise kids and pets when they play together
- Teach kids to not go near their pets during mealtime
- Model for kids how to walk away when it’s clear their pet is through playing
- Do not allow kids to climb on or corner their pet
- Prepare kids to never approach unfamiliar animals without yours or the owner’s consent
- Explain to kids the importance of allowing an unfamiliar animal to sniff their hand palm down
So, by keeping kids and pets safe while interacting with one another, their relationship can blossom.
Bringing Awareness to Shelter Animals
National Kids and Pets Day is also intended to bring awareness to the millions of homeless animals. In addition, this day encourages pet adoption through local animal shelters.
There are 3,500 animal shelters in the country and behind their doors, pets receive a second chance. According to the ASPCA, over three million shelter animals are adopted each year.
It is important to find the right pet for a child at the right time. On the other hand, it is important for an animal to find the right child. Therefore, shelters take the time to find the right home for their animals. Procedures are in place to promote healthy adoptions.
In Conclusion
So, let today be an opportunity to celebrate the amazing kids and pets in your life. You can celebrate with your kids by reminiscing about your childhood pets.
Furthermore, celebrate by taking your kids to interact with animals at your local shelter. However, with social distancing because of the coronavirus, you might have to postpone a shelter visit for later.
Kids and pets……there is nothing quite as magical. They are friends, playmates, and confidants, and there’s no doubt that they both benefit.
Happy National Kids and Pets Day! #NationalKidsAndPetsDay
How did your pets impact your childhood? What is the bond between your kids and pets? We would love to hear your answer in the comments below.
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