Why is it that pets are so good for us? Not only can they bring us such joy and cuteness, but they also can be a big help. Of course, there are the ever helpful service dogs. Sometimes, though, pets can bring serious support without the official title.
Recently, I’ve been watching Love on the Spectrum, a Netflix show that details the dating lives of individuals on the autism spectrum. Pets and animals broadly can be a large topic of conversation for these individuals and their families. This got me wondering, why is it that pets can be beneficial to neurodivergent individuals?
The Benefits Pets Bring Us
It is no secret pets are good for us – they can teach empathy, create community, foster connection, and encourage boundaries while teaching body language. These benefits can be even more noticeable for those that struggle with feelings of isolation, challenges with communication, or complex anxieties.
These are all things we may experience, and this can even be more relevant to those on the spectrum. Of course, this is not the case for everyone considered neurodivergent. It is important to view all people, even those with commonalities, with nuance. This is especially true as some may find pets to be unpredictable and thus anxiety-producing rather than reducing.
For those that find comfort in pets, though, the calmness and companionship can be especially beneficial to kids with ADHD and autism. Dogs especially can bring physical protection and calmness.
Instilling Calmness
For instance, the presence of a pet, especially one that you can pet or cuddle, can help provide comfort. This may commonly look like a dog laying on an individual to calm or ground them and provide a distraction.
Pets can help provide routine and consistency for those that struggle with transitions or changes in environment. This stability can assist in self-regulation. When things feel overwhelming or unfamiliar, we tend to want to hold onto what we know and feel comfortable with. This can literally look like hugging a pet.
When I was a kid, I was always laying on my family dog, especially when I was struggling. I found that this helped provide a distraction and grounding – problems can feel a lot smaller when you look at the peace and solitude of an animal. They remind us to slow down and breathe, and laying on my pup’s tummy reminded me to try to take deep breaths while focusing on something other than my anxieties.
Promoting Physical Wellbeing
We know that pets can get us outside and exercising. Did you know, though, that dogs may help prevent allergies and asthma? Recent studies show that “It’s likely that dogs make bacteria in the home and the body more diverse, and thereby help strengthen the immune system” (Research indicates dogs may help prevent allergies and asthma).
Familial pets can help expose children, especially young infants or babies, to an array of allergens and bacteria. This gives our bodies the ability to build up strength and resistance before a severe threat is prevented. This means our immune systems may even be stronger.
Emotional and Social Benefits
Pets can bring great support to those that fear judgement. While external environments can bring unwelcome surprises and unsupportive people, a pet can encourage unique freedom of expression in a safe and predictable environment.
Furthermore, animals nonverbal cues can be more straightforward for those that struggle with communication. A pet allows for care, love, and affection – “For those who might struggle to express themselves verbally, animals offer an alternative mode of emotional expression” (Autism and Pets: So Many Benefits for Autistic Adults).
Appreciating the Gifts of Pets
Whether this resonated with you or not, we can all take a minute to appreciate the many gifts and joys pets bring to us. From literal and metaphorical safety and security to internalized confidence through increased responsibility, pets can encourage us to be our most authentic selves. Let’s remind ourselves to be respectful and kind to all, make no assumptions, and show all pets some appreciative love.
