Pets make a huge contribution to family life. From the full-on enthusiasm of puppies to cool cats with attitude, they can provide hours of fun. But there's more to animals than entertainment value. Child experts agree that owning a pet is beneficial to children, and can enhance their development in significant ways.

Young children have a natural affinity for animals; they bond easily and form deep, loving relationships. A new British study found that 90% of a group of 7- and 8-year-olds rated their pets as among their Top 10 most special relationships -- and many listed them in the Top 5.

Most pets are touchy-feely creatures. Children love to stroke and cuddle them, and this has high therapeutic value. It reduces stress, and gives children a physical outlet for showing affection. In return, pets are unquestioning and uncritical. Dogs especially offer unconditional love, a welcome change from the expectations of humans!

Studies show that pet owners have higher levels of self-esteem than non-pet owners. (However, having a pet in the school classroom has similar benefits for non-pet owning children). Pets mean responsibilities which, if taken seriously, create a sense of pride and accomplishment. Remember to tailor tasks to the child's level though. You wouldn't expect a three-year-old to change kitty litter, but he could help fill the water bowl.

Children with pets show higher levels of social skills and empathy than children with no pets. Pets act as confidantes, offer emotional support and valuable companionship -increasingly important as family sizes shrink. Animals are a link to another world. Children observe their reactions, grooming habits, the way they express pleasure, curiosity and fear. When a cat has kittens, a child witnesses a major fact of life; it's a perfect opportunity to talk about life, birth and sex.

Pets act as social facilitators within the family. They bring families together through fun outings, discussions over care or watching funny antics. Sibling order and number impact on how children relate to pets. Children with no siblings, or no younger ones, tend to be more pet-oriented. Single and youngest children use animals to express feelings, or act out behaviour that other children direct toward younger siblings.

However valuable the pet-child relationship is, it is no substitute for human interaction! If you are not keen on pets, don't be pressured into getting one. Pets are great, but they are not central to raising children.

The loss of a pet can bring overwhelming grief, and it is very important to support your child through this time. Processing grief is neither easy nor quick, but it is vital that it is not suppressed.

• Prepare your children if the pet is terminally ill. Discuss what will happen and involve them in the decision-making process. They must realise that death is beyond their control.

• Share your grief. It can hurt a child not to see parents grieving.

• Have a ceremony -- let your children plan it and make a memorial: a collage of photos, a little "gravestone". A ritualised farewell is important to the healing process and provides closure.

• Don't rush out to replace the pet. Allow some breathing space.

• Think long-term. A dependent animal may be sharing your home for years, so it's vital that the pet-family relationship is successful.

• Research before buying. Talk to vets, animal breeders and other pet owners.

• Consider the age of your children, size and breed of animal, your lifestyle, routines and amount of time and space you can devote to it.

• School-age children are better able to respect pets, so it may be wise to delay pets until your toddler is older.

• Always supervise children near dogs.

• Take your puppy to obedience classes to learn basic commands.

• Teach your children never to approach strange dogs, play roughly, or disturb one that is sleeping or eating.

• Get your older child to clean the cat litter tray every day, and keep it out of the way of the young ones.

• Keep the cat out of the nursery; they are no respecters of sleeping babies.

• Wash bites and scratches immediately and apply antiseptic.

PHOTO (COLOR): Children love to stroke and cuddle their pets

~~~~~~~~

By Cathy Netherwood