Petting a dog has a calming effect for both the giver and the receiver which is called the “pet effect.” Petting a dog can lower your heart rate, calm you down, improve mood, and decrease stress.
The latest today is the dog listener. According to Rachel Rodriguez in an article in CNN, “Children who are just learning to read often feel judged or intimidated by classmates and adults. But reading to a dog isn’t so scary. It won’t judge, it won’t get impatient, it won’t laugh or correct if the child makes a mistake. In a nutshell, dogs are simply excellent listeners. And for shy kids or slow readers, that can make all the difference.” Reading to a dog can help boost the child’s confidence.
There are dogs that are really trained to be therapy. But do you know that your own dog can be your child’s listener? Find them a spot together and let your child know that the dog can still hear even if his eyes are closed.
Pets also adjust to newborns. When you are bringing home a new baby, gently let your dog sniff the baby. Do not forget to give your dog quality time while the baby is there to create a positive association.