Can a dog help a child with anxiety disorders? Absolutely! Dogs bring comfort, reduce stress, and create a sense of calm. Many children struggle with anxiety, which can affect their daily lives. But having a dog as a companion can make a big difference.
Dogs are naturally empathetic. They sense emotions and respond with love and loyalty. Science shows that spending time with dogs lowers stress hormones and increases happiness. They are not just pets; they are wonderful supporters of anxious children.
In this article, we will explore the science behind how dogs help children with anxiety and answer the question, ‘Can a dog help a child with anxiety disorders?’ You will also discover heartwarming ways dogs comfort children.
If your child experiences anxiety, these insights will inspire hope. Let’s explore the incredible bond between children and their furry friends!
About Dog-Assisted Therapy for Children With Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health challenges faced by children and often lead to serious negative consequences.
These include struggles in academic performance, social interactions, financial stability, and overall health.
Studies reveal that half of all anxiety disorders in a person’s lifetime typically begin by the age of 11.
Those affected are at greater risk of experiencing recurring anxiety and developing other mental health conditions later in life.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry or fear, occurring frequently over at least six months, about various situations or events.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, children have anxiety-related disorders, these disorders is often difficult to control and are accompanied by at least one physical or cognitive symptom. The causes can stem from biological, genetic, and environmental factors, as well as the quality of parental attachment.
Several treatment methods are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy, family-centered therapy, approaches targeting parent-child interactions, and parental anxiety management. Studies have shown that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has emerged as an innovative way to help children manage anxiety and improve emotional stability in clinical and educational settings.
A study showed that animals provide children with socio-emotional support, offering comfort, resilience, and the ability to cope through the bond they share. Pets in family settings bring affection, security, and solace, which can also benefit mental health treatments.
The presence of animals during therapy sessions may help reduce the stress of the therapist-client relationship for children. Sharing an animal in therapy can foster a natural emotional connection, easing the bond between therapist and child and enhancing the therapeutic process.
Interest in AAT for mental health treatment is growing. Research highlights its effectiveness in reducing anxiety in various groups, such as university students and older adults with psychiatric conditions.
Additionally, AAT has shown positive results in supporting children with developmental disabilities, particularly in improving social interactions and participation.
Can a Dog Help a Child with Anxiety Disorders? – What Research is Saying
Research From NBC NEWS
Dogs, already known for lowering the risk of allergies and asthma, might offer another benefit to children: reducing anxiety. Recent research reveals that kids living with a pet dog score significantly lower on clinical anxiety measures.
The study, though small, included 643 children aged 6 to 7. Researchers at Bassett Medical Center in New York discovered that only 12% of kids with pet dogs showed signs of clinical anxiety, compared to 21% of kids without a dog.
“Less anxious children may have pet dogs, or having a dog might make children less anxious,” wrote Dr. Anne Gadomski and her team in Preventing Chronic Disease.
This finding aligns with previous studies. Dogs are known to positively impact adults’ health, and federal health experts often recommend dogs for encouraging physical activity.
Dr. Gadomski also highlighted the unique bond between children and their pets. “Sometimes, a child’s first word is their pet’s name,” she shared with NBC News, emphasizing the strong connection between kids and their pets. The research team explored why dogs might be particularly beneficial for children.
“From a mental health perspective, kids aged 7 to 8 often rate pets higher than humans for comfort, self-esteem, and as trusted companions,” they explained. “Animal-assisted therapy with dogs can help reduce anxiety and arousal while enhancing emotional attachment,” the team added.
Dogs may also support children’s emotional development due to their ability to respond to human cues. Parents provided detailed accounts of their children’s anxiety, revealing that pets helped in various ways.
“Significant differences were noted in separation anxiety (‘My child is scared to be alone at home’) and social anxiety (‘My child is shy’), favoring pet ownership,” the study found. Most families in the study—73%—had pets, and 58% owned dogs. While pet-owning families may be more stable or affluent, the researchers suggested that pets themselves play a significant role.
“A dog can spark conversations, acting as a social icebreaker to ease social anxiety,” they wrote. Additionally, other research has shown that cuddling or playing with a dog can release oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and reduce cortisol (the stress hormone).
Although the focus was on dogs, Gadomski acknowledged other pets might offer similar benefits. “It doesn’t mean cats can’t have the same effect,” she noted.
New findings show that 9 out of 10 families believe their dog helps reduce children’s ‘back-to-school’ anxiety.
A recent survey revealed that most parents (82%) feel the transition back to school and adjusting to new routines after the holidays significantly affects their child. Many children face challenges like adapting to routines (33%), heightened anxiety (30%), and stress (27%).
Interestingly, 90% of dog-owning parents shared that their pets positively influenced their child’s return to school. These parents reported benefits such as emotional support (50%), fostering calmness (49%), and boosting their child’s confidence (36%).
MORE THAN insurance, along with its charity partner, Dogs for Good, aims to raise awareness of how family dogs help ease the back-to-school transition. They have introduced a practical guide filled with tips for parents to ensure a smoother school year.
For families with disabled children, the back-to-school transition poses even greater challenges. Survey results showed that disabled children are more prone to anxiety (46%) than their non-disabled peers (25%). They also experience increased stress (41% vs. 23%) and feelings of being unsettled (39% vs. 20%).
Despite these difficulties, many parents with dogs highlighted their pets’ vital role in this transition. Three in five (60%) parents admitted the process would be harder without their dog. Dogs help by offering emotional support, promoting calmness, and boosting confidence as children prepare for school.
Ed Bracher, CEO of Dogs for Good, said:
“This season can be tough for families, whether children attend school or are home-educated. Dogs can ease the transition into learning. Through our Family Dog service, we assist parents of autistic children with choosing and training dogs, which brings immense benefits to the entire family. From reducing stress to enhancing communication and confidence, dogs truly make a difference.”
However, while dogs offer incredible support, this period of change can also affect them. Alarmingly, 65% of parents expect their family dog to experience separation anxiety when children return to school.
Luke Mangion, a Veterinary Surgeon at MORE THAN, advises:
“Dogs enrich our lives by offering love and companionship while supporting families. But it’s crucial to consider their needs during transitions. School holidays often mean more playtime, walks, and interaction for pets. As routines shift when children go back to school, families must help their dogs adjust to avoid separation anxiety.”
To assist with this, Luke Mangion, a Veterinary Surgeon at MORE THAN, shares his expert advice on helping your dog adjust to a new routine:
Helpful Tips and Recommendations
- Practice school runs: If you typically walk or drive to school, include your dog in the journey as part of preparation. Do trial runs before school starts, ensuring the weather is safe—avoid hot cars or pavements. Confirm whether your school permits dogs, and always keep your dog secure—on a lead with an adult or safely in the car—and away from other children.
- Help your dog adapt to being alone: Start by leaving them alone for brief periods, gradually increasing the time each day. Use positive reinforcement to reward them for adjusting well.
- Stay calm when leaving or returning home: Avoid making a fuss during these moments. Keeping the atmosphere calm prevents your dog from associating these transitions with excitement, which could lead to separation anxiety.
- Establish playtime: As the holidays end, set up a consistent play routine with your dog and children in the afternoon or evening. Activities like walks, fetch, or playing in the garden can help maintain a bond.
- Organize playdates: Families with pets who are also transitioning to a new schedule can arrange playdates. This gives your dog an opportunity to socialize and stay active while you’re away.
- Consider a dog walker or daycare: If you’ll be away frequently, hiring a dog walker or enrolling your pet in daycare ensures they spend less time alone and more time playing and socializing.
To make the back-to-school transition smoother for both children and pets, MORE THAN insurance and its partner charity, Dogs for Good, are offering a resource pack. This pack includes practical advice, fun activity ideas, and tips to help families use the companionship of their dog to navigate this challenging time.
What Research on the Benefits of Dog-Assisted Therapy for Children With Anxiety is Saying – From Wu and Wei (2023)
In their research, Wu and Wei (2023) found out that there is widespread agreement that therapy involving dogs can enhance positive emotions and lower anxiety in children. Interacting with dogs, coupled with their unconditional acceptance, has been shown to alleviate stress and physical pain in children while also reducing stress within families.
Key themes identified in this review include the human-animal connection, attachment styles in children, hospital settings, environmental factors, therapy methods, and the outcomes of animal-assisted therapy (AAT).
The review highlighted numerous advantages of having a therapy dog present during psychotherapy sessions. These benefits include reducing anxiety, promoting positive emotions, and fostering social interactions in children with anxiety.
Therapists and counselors are encouraged to pursue the necessary training. Also, they should establish systems to incorporate therapy dogs into their practice to better support anxious children. However, it is important to note that the positive effects of dog-assisted therapy were not consistently reported across all studies
Much of the research has focused on children in hospital environments. As a result, additional studies are needed to explore the effectiveness. Also, to check the clinical implications, and specifics of dog-assisted therapy. This includes intervention types, duration, and frequency.
Remember
Dogs have a unique way of helping children with anxiety. They offer unconditional love, which makes kids feel safe and supported. From calming stress to encouraging outdoor play, dogs play a powerful role in reducing anxiety.
Remember, not every dog is the same. Choose one that matches your child’s needs. Be patient, and build their connection gradually. The results can be truly heartwarming.
We hope this article inspires you to explore how dogs can help children with anxiety. Share these tips with others who might benefit. Together, let’s create happier, calmer kids with the help of our furry friends!