When you have a child with a special need, the thought of having an animal to take care of in addition to all of the other work you do can seem like an overwhelming hassle that isn’t worth it. However, children with special needs can benefit in numerous ways from having a pet to bond with and play with.
Having a pet teaches every child the importance of responsibility. Your child will learn quickly that the pet needs to be fed, cleaned and cared for. If your child can physically participate in those responsibilities, she should be allowed to. The act of caring for her pet will build her confidence level and help her learn to care for herself as she grows.
Pets often become a child’s confidant and best friend. The secrets shared between the two will always be kept and the child has someone in her life to trust and love who loves her unconditionally.
Having a pet to care for can teach a child to have love and compassion for all living things. Loving one animal can lead to loving all animals and to respecting life in all of its forms.
Life lessons such as sickness and death can also be learned through having a pet. When a pet dies, it is an emotional, difficult time for a child, but ultimately it is a chance for the child to learn to deal with loss and to explore her ideas, thoughts and questions about life and death.
For the child who has trouble making friends, having a pet can attract the interest of other children. When other children express curiosity in the child’s pet, there is an opportunity for friendships to be built.
For children with more severe disabilities, a pet can be more than a friend. A horse can offer therapeutic care for the child who is unable to walk. A dog can act as a helping hand or even legs for a child with limited mobility, or eyes for the child with a vision impairment. For a child with autism, their best friend can be trained to track them if they wander off or can act as a calming force when the child is feeling anxious or stressed. For a child with epilepsy, a dog can mean the difference between life and death as it alerts parents to seizures before they occur.
Overall, pets can make a lasting impression on children with special needs. They will help to guide and support your child through the current challenges while preparing her for the unknown future. Although taking on a pet needs to be a family decision and will undoubtedly bring more responsibility to the household, the positive advantages and life-long rewards outweigh any negatives and make it all worthwhile.