Zootherapy for children
Teaching children how to interact with a dog is a great opportunity to teach them valuable life skills.
Dog care, including proper walking, feeding and training, teaches children responsibility and a sense of caring for another living being. It also helps develop their empathy and teaches them to understand the needs of others.
Animals have an amazing ability to understand and support a person's emotional state. Interaction with a dog helps to improve the psychological health of children, reduces stress and promotes the development of positive emotions. Thus, teaching children how to interact with pets can also help improve their emotional well-being.
It is important to note that parents should be prepared to introduce a dog into family life, as it takes time, effort, and financial expense. However, the benefits that children get from interacting with a dog more than offset these efforts.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, living with a four-legged friend also teaches children discipline and structure, since dogs need regular walks and care, which helps children develop stable routines and daily routines.
It was these topics that Kharkiv Volunteer Community volunteers raised on a walk with children who learned to take care of a dog and train it. Volunteer experience is important as it promotes knowledge about the proper handling of animals and helps children develop compassion and empathy for other creatures.