Can a dog help a child with loneliness? The answer might surprise you! Dogs are more than pets; they are loyal companions. Many children struggle with feeling alone, but dogs can fill that gap.
First, dogs give love and comfort unconditionally. They are always happy to see their owners. Second, caring for a dog teaches kids responsibility. Third, playing with a dog helps kids stay active and happy.
In this article, we will explore how dogs can reduce loneliness in children and most assuredly give you the answer to the question: ‘Can a dog help a child with loneliness?’
We will also share expert insights and helpful tips. If you want to know how a dog could bring joy to your child’s life, keep reading!
First of All, What Do You Understand by Loneliness?
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) reveals that one in five Americans experiences loneliness and social isolation. These feelings can harm mental health, contributing to depression and anxiety. Moreover, HRSA highlights that loneliness has significant effects on physical health.
The physical dangers of loneliness are comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily and even more harmful than obesity.
Certain social groups are more likely to experience loneliness and isolation:
- Older adults
- People who live alone
- Individuals in strained relationships
HRSA states that 45% of older adults report feeling lonely. This trend is partly due to changes in modern family dynamics. Over recent decades, average household sizes have declined, leaving more individuals to live alone.
Interestingly, loneliness can affect those who live with others. If someone feels disconnected or emotionally detached from those around them, loneliness can still occur.
In American culture, independence and self-reliance are highly valued. This cultural norm often prevents individuals who live alone from seeking help or building connections with others.
However, adopting a pet can fill this void. A pet offers companionship without requiring a person to compromise their independent lifestyle.
Can a Dog Help a Child with Loneliness? – What Research is Saying
- New research reveals the social, emotional, and academic advantages children gain from having pets during remote learning.
- 83% of parents say pets helped reduce loneliness, while 73% credit pets with easing stress caused by isolation.
- Nine out of 10 parents report that pets positively influenced their child’s homeschooling experience.
- As schools reopen, 80% of parents believe pet interactions should continue in classrooms.
A survey by Mars Petcare, involving 2,000 parents in the UK and US, highlights the vital role of family pets in helping children handle stress and loneliness during lockdown. Virtual schooling amplified these challenges, making pets even more essential.
Global statistics reveal that 332 million children spent nine months under stay-at-home orders, and nearly 1.6 billion students faced disruptions in in-person education. This led to notable declines in children’s social skills, productivity, and mental well-being.
A Save the Children report found over half of children who were isolated from friends felt unhappier and more anxious. Remote schooling also brought distractions and limited oversight, further affecting students’ motivation.
For many families navigating these challenges, pets became an invaluable source of support. Over 80% of parents said pets reduced their child’s loneliness during lockdown, and more than 75% felt pets helped alleviate stress and anxiety.
Pets provided emotional comfort, improved mood, and offered companionship amid the chaos of remote learning.
Pets Boost Academic Engagement and Emotional Well-Being
The survey uncovered that pets positively impacted children’s academic experiences and skill development. Nine in 10 parents noticed improved energy levels, focus, and social interaction in their children.
Pets offered a refreshing break from screens, sparked engaging conversations, and enhanced motivation. In fact, 72% of parents observed higher enthusiasm for schoolwork when a pet was present.
Mary Margaret Callahan, Chief Mission Officer at Pet Partners, emphasized the therapeutic benefits of pets. “Pets have proven to reduce stress and improve confidence in classrooms. This survey shows they also supported children emotionally during this unprecedented time,” she noted.
Strengthening Bonds Between Children and Pets
The survey revealed the pandemic strengthened the bond between children and their pets. Forty percent of children spent more than two hours daily with their pets during lockdown, compared to 21% pre-pandemic. Most parents (77%) believed their pets became calmer due to increased time spent with their children.
Kay O’Donnell of Waltham Petcare Science Institute highlighted how pets alleviate loneliness and foster connections. “Interacting with pets is shown to improve confidence and reduce isolation. These findings reaffirm the mutual benefits for both children and their pets,” she shared.
Advocating for Pets in Traditional Classrooms
As students return to traditional classrooms, 80% of parents advocate for incorporating pet interactions in schools. Three-quarters believe schools should invest in controlled pet programs to enhance the classroom experience.
Stories like those from Chris Koenig, a teacher in Oregon, illustrate the positive impact of pets on learning. His “Pet Fridays” initiative, featuring his dog Bella, brought joy and engagement to his virtual lessons.
To explore the benefits of human-animal interaction, follow Mars Petcare’s social media and the #PetsMakeItBetter campaign. Pets have not only helped children cope during the pandemic but may continue to play an essential role in education and emotional well-being.
Visit their website to get expert advice on how to responsibly raise a healthy and happy dog or cat and how to help your pet through lockdown and beyond.
Canine Companionship
Research shows that caring for a dog can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) refers to this phenomenon as the “pet effect.”
An impressive 89% of pet owners view their pets as family members and 74% report that their pets improve their mental well-being. Pets transform the energy of a space, uplifting spirits and easing tensions.
The significance of the pet effect has led to rapid growth in human-animal bond research. Over centuries of living and working alongside humans, dogs have influenced the human brain in measurable ways.
Unique biomarkers reveal how dogs affect human emotions, including a notable increase in oxytocin (a hormone that promotes happiness) when dogs are present, according to the ADAA.
The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) focuses on studying the relationship between humans and their pets. Their research spans diverse areas, including child development, physical and mental health, and aging.
HABRI has compiled a comprehensive online database to document scientific findings on the human-animal bond, demonstrating the profound positive impact pets have on human lives.
So, Can a Dog Help a Child with Loneliness? – What Experts are Saying
1. What Angela Hughes, Scientific Communications Leader & Veterinary Geneticist at Mars Pet Nutrition Says
She says pets’ unconditional love is a remedy for kids’ loneliness especially during a lockdown.
During the pandemic, while my 5-year-old son was learning at home, his loyal companions Annie and Nori were always close by. Annie, a 7-year-old mix of Russell Terrier and Australian Cattle Dog, and Nori, a 6-month-old Welsh Springer Spaniel who joined our family around Thanksgiving, became his inseparable best friends.
Now that my son spends most of his week back in a physical classroom, the time spent in virtual learning has underscored how vital and meaningful the bond between a child and their pet truly is.
Many parents share this sentiment. A recent survey of 2,000 parents across the UK and US revealed that 9 out of 10 believe their pet positively influenced their child’s homeschooling experience.
Moreover, 83% of parents said their pet helped reduce their child’s loneliness, and 73% observed that their pet lessened stress caused by being isolated from classmates.
A Child’s Best Friends
When my son began school, he found himself in a group of children he had never met before. Having attended daycare and preschool with the same peers since infancy, this sudden shift, compounded by meeting his new classmates via Zoom, was a big adjustment.
Thankfully, Annie and Nori became an instant icebreaker. They sparked conversations and provided my son with much-needed emotional support. Whether he was feeling frustrated, sad, or just bored, he would often turn to them for a comforting hug before coming to me – probably because they wouldn’t insist he return to class like I would!
The pandemic has left many children feeling isolated and lonely, just as it has affected adults. Research by Save the Children revealed that over half of children separated from friends reported feeling less happy and more worried.
Yet pets like Annie and Nori provided constant, non-judgmental companionship and unconditional love during these trying times. In our survey, 83% of parents reported that their pet helped alleviate their child’s loneliness, while more than 75% said day-to-day interactions with their furry friends eased their child’s stress and anxiety.
Mutually Beneficial Bonds
This relationship benefits pets, too. Spending more time at home with their favorite humans has been a positive change for many animals. About 40% of children spend over two hours of quality time daily with their pets, and most parents notice their pets becoming calmer as a result.
Pets as Teaching Partners
In addition to companionship, pets can double as excellent teaching assistants. I’ve personally witnessed this with my son. When he resisted completing schoolwork, I would jokingly suggest that Annie could do it instead, turning the task into a fun game. (It turns out dog paws can swipe an iPad!)
Research supports these observations. A study by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that introducing pets into classrooms helps students follow instructions, stay focused, and pay more attention to teachers.
Similarly, our survey revealed that 72% of parents noticed their kids were more motivated with a pet around, and over half reported improved academic performance due to their pets.
Lessons for the Future
As children gradually return to in-person classrooms, the lessons learned from months of homeschooling with pets remain invaluable.
Our survey highlights how pets can combat social isolation, reduce stress, and even support skill development. In fact, 75% of parents believe schools should incorporate intentional pet interactions into traditional classrooms.
While the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the unwavering love of our pets will continue to enrich our lives and the lives of our children. Pets have shown us their incredible ability to make challenging times a little brighter, and their positive impact will undoubtedly endure.
For more tips on keeping your children and pets safe as they spend more time together, visit mars.com. You’ll also find more details about our survey and how pets have played a role in the home classroom here.
Read Nicole’s Answer to this:
A puppy might be a great idea, but only if your daughter truly wants one and is mature enough to take care of it. She must choose the puppy herself to ensure they form a strong bond. Everyone involved must understand that getting a puppy is a long-term commitment.
Moving in the future could limit your housing options due to pet restrictions, size limits, or breed bans. If there’s even the slightest chance you might not keep the puppy, please don’t get one.
When I was 13, my best friend moved away. Thankfully, it wasn’t far, and our parents valued our friendship enough to let us spend entire weekends together—alternating between her house and mine.
Occasionally, we had to stay home due to family obligations like weddings or graduations, but we were still allowed to talk on the phone for hours.
I’ll always be grateful for their understanding because I struggled with severe depression and attempted suicide at 12. Without her support, I wouldn’t have made it through the toughest times.
You might wonder, “How close could they get in just a year?” Well, she and I had been friends before but had stopped talking after a fight. However, after my suicide attempt, I was admitted to a hospital, and guess who else was there? We spent nearly three months together.
She was discharged earlier than me, but we picked up right where we left off as if the fight had never happened. To this day, I’ll drop everything if she needs me.
If your daughter has a friend like that, don’t separate them. Do whatever you can to keep them close and ensure your daughter’s happiness. While she may eventually make new friends after the move, friendships like that are rare and invaluable. Don’t make things harder for her.
So Really, Can a Dog Help a Child with Loneliness? – The Truth
So, can a dog help a child with loneliness? Yes! The truth is yes. Imagine the difference between walking into a quiet, empty home and being welcomed by a lively, tail-wagging dog.
The experience is immense. Being greeted with unconditional love and excitement can instantly brighten your mood and make life feel more manageable. So, can a dog help a child with loneliness? Absolutely.
While owning a dog can be demanding and occasionally overwhelming, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Dogs provide invaluable support for mental health and offer a special kind of companionship to their forever families.
Beyond that, having a dog can play a significant role in supporting your child’s growth and development. Here are some ways a dog help a child with loneliness:
1. Reduces Stress
Adults often face stressful situations, but we eventually adapt. For kids and teens, managing stress can be even harder. Academic pressure, social challenges, and family conflicts can overwhelm them. That’s why finding healthy ways to cope is crucial. A dog can be an excellent stress reliever.
Dogs naturally offer unconditional love and companionship to their families. Interacting with them triggers physiological changes: cortisol (the stress hormone) levels drop, while dopamine and oxytocin (the feel-good hormones) increase. These changes help children feel calmer and less burdened by stressors.
2. Alleviates Loneliness
Does your child seem lonely or left out by their peers? Dogs are the perfect companions and make incredible best friends, especially for kids. The saying “Man’s best friend” exists for a reason!
Unlike humans, dogs never exclude or hurt feelings. They’ll happily spend every moment with your child, showering them with affection and attention. This unwavering companionship can help ease feelings of loneliness.
3. Fosters Empathy and Compassion
Dogs depend entirely on their owners for everything—food, water, exercise, and even entertainment. This reliance creates a unique opportunity for kids to develop empathy and compassion.
Children, especially when growing up, are naturally focused on their own experiences. However, owning a dog encourages them to consider another perspective.
For instance, parents can discuss with their child what the dog might feel if neglected, hungry, or sad. These conversations help kids step outside their own world and begin building emotional intelligence and compassion.
4. Offers Unconditional Love and Acceptance
Childhood can be tough. Between the struggle to fit in and the search for self-identity, it’s easy for kids to feel lost. But a dog provides a haven of unconditional love and acceptance, no matter what.
Dogs don’t judge their owners based on appearances, words, or achievements. They love wholeheartedly, creating a comforting environment where a child can be entirely themselves without fear of rejection.
5. Teaches Responsibility
Instilling responsibility in kids can be a challenge. Many prefer to avoid it and hold onto their carefree days. However, introducing a dog into the family can change that dynamic.
Caring for a dog motivates kids to take responsibility for something they genuinely love. Feeding, walking, and playing with their furry friend teaches them follow-through, maturity, and accountability. These lessons will serve them well later in life.
6. Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence
Growing up in a world filled with challenges—bullies, uncertainty, and self-doubt—can lower a child’s confidence. A dog can help rebuild their self-esteem.
By giving your child tasks related to dog care, such as feeding or bathing, they experience a sense of achievement with each completed responsibility. This builds independence and a positive self-image.
Additionally, the loving bond they share with their dog reinforces their sense of worth and purpose.
7. Reduces Anxiety
Dogs can have a profound impact on mental health. Their unconditional love and non-judgmental nature make them excellent companions for easing anxiety.
Children facing anxiety or stressful situations often find comfort in the calming presence of a dog. Their reassuring demeanor helps create a supportive environment, reducing anxious feelings.
If you’re considering adding a dog to your family—or already have one—remember that while it’s a significant commitment, the benefits far outweigh the effort. Dogs bring immense love, support, and joy to everyone in the family, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime.
How Dogs Help Combat Loneliness
Dogs are unlike other animals. Over centuries, they have been bred and domesticated to work alongside humans, making them exceptionally skilled at understanding human emotions. Dogs were chosen as companions for hunting, eating, and even celebrating, earning them a special place in human lives.
Dogs possess human-like traits. Their expressive faces and body language, such as tail wagging and barking, convey emotions.
However, dogs differ from humans because they lack the complexities of human relationships—they don’t judge, aren’t overly critical, and bounce back quickly from setbacks. Dogs embody many positive aspects of companionship without the negatives.
Here are three significant ways dogs reduce loneliness:
- Fostering Responsibility
Dogs rely on their owners for daily care, such as feeding and walking. This creates an external focus, shifting attention away from loneliness. Taking care of a dog keeps a person busy and provides a sense of purpose. Dogs also show gratitude and demand attention, offering a daily dose of love to their owners. - Offering Companionship
Most dogs love being with their owners and dislike being alone. They follow their owners around, sit on their laps, or nudge them for affection. A dog’s constant companionship can brighten anyone’s day, with a wagging tail and a friendly greeting making loneliness feel less overwhelming. - Encouraging Social Interaction
Walking or hiking with a dog invites attention from others. Dogs often spark conversations, giving their owners opportunities to interact with people. Moreover, spending time outdoors in the sunshine or exercising through regular walks can improve physical and mental health.
Emotional Support Dogs Can Help Even More
Loneliness can sometimes stem from depression, anxiety, or stress-related issues. In such cases, a dog does more than provide company—they can also ease emotional pain.
An Emotional Support Dog (ESA) might be the perfect solution. Consult a therapist or a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) to see if an Emotional Support Dog suits your needs.
With an ESA letter, your dog can live with you in housing and on college campuses where pets might not typically be allowed.
Ready to apply for an emotional support dog? Complete the questionnaire using this link, and a licensed healthcare provider in your state will guide you through the process.
Can a dog help a child with loneliness? Absolutely! But that’s not all a dog can do. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental or physical health issues, consider discussing the idea of an Emotional Support Dog (ESA) with your therapist.
An ESA can stay by your side while you travel, live in no-pets-allowed housing, or even while you’re away at college. Dogs aren’t just loyal companions; they might also be one of the best remedies for emotional well-being.
What We Leave You With
Can a dog help a child with loneliness? Yes! A dog can help a child with loneliness in amazing ways. Dogs bring love, comfort, and fun into a child’s world. They are loyal companions and teach valuable life lessons.
If your child feels lonely, consider adding a furry friend to your family. Spend time choosing the right dog that fits your home. Also, involve your child in caring for the dog. This builds a strong bond and teaches important skills.
We hope this article answered your question: Can a dog help a child with loneliness? Share it with others who care about kids and pets. Together, we can show how dogs make life better for everyone!