Paws & Progress: How Pets Are Revolutionizing Pediatrics

It is no secret that pet owners are some of the happiest people. A survey conducted by BarkBox reported that 70% of dog owners believe that their dogs have evoked an elevated sense of happiness within them. Whether it is because of their loving personalities or cute faces, pets are known to induce joy. Now, their positive impacts are reaching far past a home setting and are venturing into the realm of healthcare, especially within pediatrics.

An article published by Jennifer Golbeck in Psychology Today concluded that children who grew up with pets, such as dogs, had fewer behavioral issues and advanced emotional development. Also, kids with these pets were more responsible, empathic, and social! However, the positive impacts of pets don’t end there. Hospitals have begun to invest more in pet-related programs such as pet therapy. Pet therapy is a form of therapy meant to limit feelings of isolation and help comfort one. In pediatric pet therapy, children experience reduced stress levels, allowing for relaxation. On top of this, pet therapy can boost one’s sense of confidence, encouraging them to socialize with others. Another example of a pet-led program is speech therapy. Research has shown that children with literacy or speech impediments may see improvement in their conditions while with pets.  

While having a medical pet can drastically help a child develop physically and socially, it is crucial to be careful while choosing a pet. Pets, especially puppies, can carry zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are infections transferred from an animal to a human, and children under the age of 5 are among the most susceptible to these diseases. However, this can be easily avoided by prioritizing hygiene and ensuring that the selected pet has been vaccinated and is safe to adopt. 

Pets have had a tremendous impact on healthcare and are impacting patients positively. It is safe to say that pets are transforming certain aspects of healthcare as we know it!

Works Cited

Blanchard Valley Health System. (n.d.). Pet Therapy. Www.bvhealthsystem.org. https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/expert-health-articles/pet-therapy#:~:text=Therapy%20animals%20help%20reduce%20stress

Briggs, K. (2017, September 11). Why do dogs make us happy? Pets for Patriots. https://www.petsforpatriots.org/dogs-make-us-happy/#:~:text=Ask%20anyone%20who%20spends%20time

CDC. (2024, May 16). About Zoonotic Diseases. One Health. https://www.cdc.gov/one-health/about/about-zoonotic-diseases.html#:~:text=These%20groups%20of%20people%20include

Golbeck, J. (2020, August 10). Dogs May Be Good for Your Child’s Development | Psychology Today. Www.psychologytoday.com. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-online-secrets/202008/dogs-may-be-good-your-childs-development#:~:text=Dogs%20can%20help%20kids%20develop%20better%20emotional%20and%20social%20behaviors&text=Dogs%20are%20good%20for%20kids

Texas Children’s. (n.d.). Animal-Assisted Therapy | Texas Children’s Hospital. Www.texaschildrens.org. https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/child-life-department/animal-assisted-therapy#:~:text=Texas%20Children

Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2018, November 16). Zoonotic Diseases. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/zoonotic.htm#:~:text=Zoonotic%20diseases%20are%20infections%20that