“Pets are mood-enhancing and benefit adoptees in many ways by improving mental health, cheerfulness, feelings of psychological well-being, and self-esteem. The presence of animals fosters positive social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development. Pets relieve stress by lowering blood pressure, feelings of isolation and loneliness, and increase opportunities for exercise and socialization. Pet ownership is associated with better physical and psychological health, and fewer doctor visits. Pet owners feel closer to nature and all living creatures.” —Judith Land
Everyone knows that kids love animals because they offer companionship. Animals are the focus of storybooks, music and movies. Children confide in their favorite pets, whether real or imaginary, because they are nonjudgmental. Bedroom decor and clothing honors them. Closets, shelves, and toy chests are typically littered with toy collections—fuzzy stuffed animals and critters of all shapes and sizes. Children love animals because they teach and delight and offer a warm special kind of friendship.
Pets enjoy love and attention. Always nonjudgemental, they offer fun, random excitement, and excellent companionship. They help reduce stress, improve self-esteem and make kids lacking social support more approachable. These are my puppies “Cha Cha Bandita” and “Lily Amora.”
The emotional benefits of pets are well known. It is impossible to stay in a bad mood when petting a soft kitten or playing with a small puppy. Children learn that pets enjoy love and attention; they are excellent huggers. Animals rely on their owners for food, water, shelter, and exercise and the accepting of responsibility triggers empathy. Pet therapy opens tremendous options for adopted children who have experienced psychological trauma. Educators have long known that therapy animals help challenged kids relax and become better readers. Pets offer love and companionship. They are good listeners. They keep secrets and enjoy comfortable silences.
Pets make children more approachable and give others a good reason to approach and communicate with them and make new friends. All of these benefits can reduce the amount of stress children experience in response to feelings of social isolation and a lack of confidence and moral support.
When I was a child my dog Toby had a very positive effect on my personality because he gave me something to be temporarily passionate about. He was unpredictable and fun. I enjoyed crawling after him on my hands and knees through the doggy door. He stepped on my dolls, tracked dirt into my room, jumped on my bed, licked my face, and cleaned up any food I dropped on the floor. He provided random excitement that reduced my social inhibitions and triggered feelings of being spontaneously joyful. His unpredictability caused me to smile and his easy accessibility gave me a friendly warm body to hug.
Adoption Detective: Memoir of an Adopted Child 
Judith – I love this article! When we adopted our daughter 6 years ago today, we had a black lab named Katie. That dog was so therapeutic for our daughter (who was 6 yrs. old at the time). We are currently unable to have a dog where we live, but we hope in the future to have another one. Over the past two years our daughter had a pet hamster (which died recently). It was difficult going through that. I plan on sharing this article on my Adoption and Paper Pregnancy Facebook page and on my 9yrpregnancy twitter page. Delana
Delana – I know you must miss Katie and your pet hamster. Animals are so much fun, spontaneous, unpredictable and easy to love. Soft fuzzy stuffed animals are pretty good huggers and travelers too. The process of naming a pet is an enjoyable part of the experience. My husband and I have had old english sheepdogs named Boom-Boom, Old English Pub, and Lazy Daisy Tumbleweed, a golden retriever named Honey Hot Springs and we now have Cha-Cha Bandita and Lily Amora, two energetic chihuahuas.
When I was eight years old my adopted father Mario was wearing a business suit and an expensive pair of imported Italian shoes when he accidentally stepped in a pile of fresh dog poop in the backyard. That was the last day I saw my dog Toby. I openly mourned the hurtful loss of my beloved dog because he brought me joy, friendship, and spontaneity. I cried uncontrollably and refused to come out of my bedroom for many days. My unsympathetic adoptive father responded by threatening to make me disappear too. Thank goodness childhood is over. Judith
Judith – Thank you so much for sharing that. Yes, we miss Katie very much and hope to have another lab one day. My daughter-in-law and I are working on a fictional book together and the main character (an adoptee) is going to have a very special connection with her Golden Retriever. Delana
Sounds wonderful! Judith
Reblogged this on Adventures in a Van Named Zephyr.