What you should consider before bringing home a new pet.
Pets in the home can help children practice empathy and responsibility, boost their confidence and teach them the value of unconditional love.
Rhythmically petting an animal has been shown to lower heart rates and calm children, and the love and companionship of an animal can be especially impactful for children with special needs who may feel isolated from their peers.
When choosing a pet for a family with a child with special needs — be it a physical disability, developmental delay or disability, neurodivergence or complex medical care — there are many factors to consider.
Start with Training
For dogs, a certified trainer is a critical investment of both time and money to make from the start. For all animals, this also means active supervision and guidance when any child is interacting with the pet in order to make sure that both are physically and emotionally safe.
Consider the Needs of Your Child
Families must be aware of their child’s sensitivities and needs. For children with sensory sensitivities, meowing, barking, howling, jumping, pawing or even the feeling of shed fur on surfaces can be highly dysregulating, and children with physical disabilities may be more easily tripped or knocked down by dogs. Puppies have sharp teeth and claws.
Some dog and cat breeds are more prone to excessive vocalizations or hyperactivity than others. Fish, reptiles and small furry animals are often quieter and less time-intensive options, but they are much more likely to carry dangerous pathogens (especially reptiles and birds), so they should be avoided for children who can’t wash their hands well or who are medically fragile.
Get an Adult
While all dogs benefit from training, it is often easier to adopt a dog that is 2 or older rather than getting a puppy, because adults don’t require the same time-intensive socialization and training as puppies, and their energy is more level. Adult dogs (and cats) are also more “what you see is what you get” — either they enjoy children or they don’t.
With puppies, even with good socialization, so many factors are at play during their development that there is no guarantee. Adopting an adult dog from a reputable rescue who uses foster homes or going through a reputable and experienced breeder when choosing a puppy is the best way to predict the dog’s temperament. When rescuing an adult dog, ask if you can foster to adopt. Telling the child that the dog is “just visiting for a week or two” can make it far less upsetting if the dog ends up not being the right fit for the family. Of course, if all goes well, the dog can “stay forever.”
Do Your Homework
Families should research extensively and meet several dogs of the breeds that they are interested in to make sure they choose one that already fits their lifestyle and needs. Every dog is an individual, and while exceptions do occur, knowing a dog’s breed can help you predict the behaviors (and health issues) you are likely to experience with them.
Gun dogs (including retrievers, pointers, spaniels and poodles) are typically highly social and adaptable, cuddly, tolerant and patient, which is why they are so popular as family dogs. However, they typically require over an hour of daily exercise to prevent problem behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, digging or escaping. This can be great for families that already have an active, outdoor lifestyle, but potentially overwhelming for families who don’t already spend a lot of time exercising outside.
Small and toy breeds are a good option for less active families — but keep in mind that the smaller the dog, the more easily it can be injured by a child. Children should never be allowed to pick up or carry a dog.
Animals can be a great addition to any family — including those with special needs — but finding the right fit requires some preparation and thought before taking the plunge.
Kate Uruchurtu, CPDT-KA, FPPE, FDM, CPST, is an Orange County certified professional dog trainer, Family Paws parent educator and owner of Calmer Canines LLC.
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