How Kids Benefit From Pet Ownership
In fact, studies show that pet ownership may benefit kids in a number of ways. Pets can help decrease stress and can even help children develop social and emotional skills. And although research on human-animal interaction is still relatively new, initial studies have shown that pets can reduce cortisol levels, decrease loneliness, boost mood, and increase feelings of social support. If you are considering getting your kids a pet—or if you are being lobbied relentlessly by your kids to adopt an animal—you may be wondering if all that added responsibility will really be worth the time and effort....