Love, Home, and Other Four Legged Lessons

Photo of a paw in a person's hand symbolizing friendship. The top right corner graphic is the outline of a pawprint and heart.

I have a child who has had an intense interest in animals for as long as I can remember. We have two dogs, two cats, two leopard geckos, one bunny, one hamster, and we also lease a horse. It is nothing to see a bunny hopping across the floor or the dogs chasing the cats to the basement. If you are an animal person you know that animals give the home character. All the animals bring different personalities but they also bring so much more.

I have been in many group homes over the years. There has always been a very low rate of homes that contain pets. Most of the time if you find a home that does, it’s fish. Nothing against fish but it’s very difficult to cuddle a fish.

Photo of a young man with a disability hugging a black and white dog outside. The graphic in the top left corner is a red heart with a paw print.

Photo of a young woman with a disability holding a black cat on her living room floor. The graphic in the top left corner is a red heart with a paw print.

Animals can bring a sense of love and connection that may be missing from the lives of many people we support. Loneliness can be considered the biggest disability. I ask you to consider how many people come in and out of the life of someone with a disability once exposed to our service world.

Low estimates say about 500 people. I want you to consider the amount of grief and loss that comes with essentially losing 500 people from your life. There are indications that having a pet can greatly decrease those feelings of loneliness and loss. Of course, it would be important to understand if the person you support enjoys animals, has any abusive history involving animals, as well as what kind of animal they enjoy.

Photo of a young boy with a disability riding a horse with an older man holding the reigns. The graphic in the top left corner is a red heart with a horse shoe.

Types of benefits

Social and Emotional: Animals offer unconditional love and a non-judgmental presence. This can reduce anxiety and make it easier to engage in social interactions. Pets can also act as social bridges, facilitating connections with other people.
Communication: Interacting with animals can encourage the development and practice of communication skills. Studies have shown animal-assisted therapy to have a large effect on social and communication skills, particularly for those with autism spectrum disorder.
Motor and Cognitive Skills: Interaction with animals can lead to improvements in motor skills, such as visuomotor coordination and imitation, as well as cognitive areas like attention and play.
Independence and Responsibility: Caring for an animal can instill a sense of routine and responsibility. Plus, trained service dogs can perform tasks that increase independence.
Engagement and Well-being: Animals can be a source of joy and fascination. They can provide a positive focus that shifts attention away from challenges and promotes overall well-being.

Yes, animals also die. That is a consideration but not an excuse for not pursuing an animal. It helps the person to explore the life/death cycle. The love of a beloved pet can teach people so many things about life and unconditional love. Loneliness is such an epidemic in our system. Could a pet be the cure?