Pets can have many benefits to their owners. Of course, children love to play with pets. Having a pet helps a child understand the nature of animals and the responsibilities that come along with owning one. The social playtime with their pet can lead to years of enjoyment. Aside from the joy a child receives from a pet, their are numerous benefits to the adults that own them as well.
The simple joy of companionship is enough of a benefit for some people. Pets become friends and to some even become more like family. As if companionship was not enough, some dogs even work for their owners. There are many owners that are handicapped that depend on their dogs for their every day tasks. There are dogs that help the blind, hearing impaired and even those that are confined to a wheelchair. Other types of jobs that dogs can have are working dogs such as sniffing dogs, that sniff for drugs or explosive devices, search and rescue dogs and military dogs. You have to love an animal that works so hard and only asks to be fed and loved!
Research has even shown that ownership of a pet can give positive health benefits to senior owners. Some of these benefits are increased movement, a sense of security, stress reduction, help coping with the loss of a loved one, and even a reduction in the need for medication.
Even though the responsibility of owning a pet can be great, it seems the benefits of pet ownership far outweigh the challenges. No matter the age of the occupants in the household, everyone can enjoy the love and dedication that pets can provide.
Precision K9. Precision K9 Professional Training. 2010. Web. 31 March 2011. <http://www.precision-dog-training.com>, Pattel, Sacchi. "Pets Make Great Companions." N.p. 2011. Web. 31 March 2011.
