Why Pets are so Important to Children

Written by Helen Connolly, SA Commissioner for Children & Young People  

When I started as the Commissioner for Children and Young People in 2017 I wanted to ensure children and young people were informed about my work. I set about on a ‘Listening Tour’ around South Australia where I spoke to over 1400 children and young people. I asked what matters to them and how the lives of children and young people could be improved. I was surprised and pleased to hear many talk about how their pets are very important in their lives.   

There are huge benefits to be gained by children who can have a pet at home and Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. More and more we are seeing therapy dogs being used in the classroom setting, helping children with intellectual disabilities or to improve literacy levels or even truancy levels.  Therapy dogs help with teaching children empathy and care-giving skills and can allow a child to feel attached and safe.  

Therapy dogs have been used in courts to support children and reduce stress when giving evidence. Children with mild intellectual disabilities are reported to benefit from having regular time with a therapy dog. 

We have always known about the human-animal connection and know that pets are important to children and young people, but I don’t think we have always understood just how important they are. I heard a lot of younger children refer to their pets as special to them and felt they like siblings. 

“My Jenny rabbit is important to me as she is like my sister and has been with me since I started school.” (Teenager, Listening Tour 2017) 

During one of my consultations, when I asked about the one thing children or young people wanted to tell me, some children said: “We need therapy dogs at school”.  

When I asked children and young people in a regional area what they liked about living there, I heard that they enjoyed the open space, which meant they could have a lot of pets or farm animals, some of what they told me included:  

“I like we can have lots and lots of pets, outdoors instead of indoor.” 

“Like about my farm, bike riding, five goats walk around with them”. 

Other children talked about special family moments which included their animals. For them, it’s about creating memories and doing special things together with their pets and their families. 

“My Mum and I sometimes go on dates to the Dog Park and RSPCA.  I have three dogs, Clancy, Cooper and Sarg and they sleep in my bed”. 

Many talked about how their pets helped them with their emotions: 

“My pug puppy because she always cheers me up even when I’m sad. Pets to make me feel better.” 

“Dogs and Cats, they need to be in your life, they can be your partner you can play with them, tell them things” 

“Dog – someone always there for you, company” 

What I loved was hearing children feel they could really talk to their pets. 

“My dogs Azeenah and Alfie. My cats Lola and Jasper, I can talk to them when I need it. They make me feel safe when I’m unsure. They love me and are fun to play with. I love watching them play.” 

I wanted to share these quotes and insights into what our children and young people have said about their pets because it’s so important to them, but also to highlight how beneficial the bond between an animal and a child can be. They feel emotionally supported, they feel like they can talk to their pets and are calmer as a result of having an animal by their side.  

Not everyone can have a pet for practical or economic reasons. It’s a big responsibility bringing a pet into a home. Many children say they would like a pet but understand that they may never be able to have their own pet until they are older and can take care of them themselves.  I hope we will see more and more therapy dogs used in schools and places where our children and young people need extra support. The benefits of this interaction are undeniable, even where the child doesn’t own the animal, but just gets to ‘borrow’ one or be with them for a period of time. Sometimes animals can be better than humans and our children and young people already know that. 

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Author Bio 

Helen Connolly became South Australia’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People in April 2017.  

Throughout her career, Helen has taken an active advocacy role on the main policy issues that impact on the wellbeing of Australian families and children, with a strong focus on early intervention and prevention strategies.  

Helen lives in Adelaide and has five adult children. She likes gardening and has a border collie called Bowie. She likes to cook when she has time and she makes a world famous gravy! 

Her favourite part of Australia is Far North Queensland (especially to escape a cold Adelaide winter).