One Health

Let’s celebrate the incredible bond between children and pets—a connection that builds compassion, teaches responsibility, and boosts emotional development.

But with that joy comes responsibility:

• Supervise all interactions
• Teach children to approach gently and watch for signs of stress (like growling or flattened ears)
• Match lessons to age—toddlers need different guidance than older kids
• Create safe zones for pets to retreat when overwhelmed

Many bites occur during rough play, sudden movements, or when pets feel startled or trapped. Humane education and bite prevention programs are essential, and they work. Some pets are more tolerant than others. Bite prevention also includes choosing the right pet and socializing them properly. Positive reinforcement and safe spaces for the pet (like a crate or designated quiet area) can reduce stress. Many bites occur during resource guarding (food, toys), rough play, or when pets are startled. Awareness of these common triggers can help prevent incidents.

Does your organization offer programs to teach kids safe, respectful interaction with pets?

Share your ideas or links below so others can learn, replicate, or get inspired. Let’s grow this conversation and help more families build healthy, lasting bonds.

------------------------------
Michael J Blackwell, DVM, MPH, FNAP
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.)
Director, Program for Pet Health Equity
Center for Behavioral Health Research
https://pphe.utk.edu
------------------------------

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Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

As a teacher, I see every day how important it is for kids to learn empathy - both for people and animals. Nicole Forsyth's article reminds us that animals are a wonderful way to teach these important skills.

When children care for pets, they learn how to recognize feelings, share emotions, and handle their own emotions better. Pets are perfect teachers because they offer unconditional love and don't judge. Through their relationships with animals, kids learn patience, responsibility, and kindness - lessons they will carry into their friendships, family life, and future careers.

Teaching kids empathy through animals doesn't just help them be kinder - it helps them build stronger, healthier relationships for life.

In my classroom, we often talk about how caring for others, including pets, makes the world a better place. These lessons stay with them long after they leave school.

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Regina Feighan-Drach
Volunteer
Wet Nose Rescue
PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2025 07:00 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Today is National Kids and Pets Day!

Thank you for introducing the topic of child and pet interactions! I would like to share this article by Nicole Forsyth on how pets help foster empathy in children:

 

"Did you know that teaching children empathy skills early in life can increase their confidence and help them better handle stressful situations?

 

Empathy is critical to success throughout life and is a necessary component to developing positive relationships and building rewarding careers. Empathy leads to stronger relationships with people and animals, and helps prevent animal cruelty and neglect, as well as bullying in schools.

 

Through guidance, children can develop the steps necessary for empathy: recognize human and animal emotions, share emotions, and regulate emotions.

Animals are a wonderful medium for helping to teach children how to be empathetic. Not only are companion animals non-judgmental, they offer unconditional love and affection, and are a great support system."

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/09/24/for-the-love-of-pets-animals-can-teach-children-empathy/

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-28-2025 09:07 AM
From: Regina Feighan-Drach
Subject: Today is National Kids and Pets Day!

As a teacher, I see every day how important it is for kids to learn empathy - both for people and animals. Nicole Forsyth's article reminds us that animals are a wonderful way to teach these important skills.

When children care for pets, they learn how to recognize feelings, share emotions, and handle their own emotions better. Pets are perfect teachers because they offer unconditional love and don't judge. Through their relationships with animals, kids learn patience, responsibility, and kindness - lessons they will carry into their friendships, family life, and future careers.

Teaching kids empathy through animals doesn't just help them be kinder - it helps them build stronger, healthier relationships for life.

In my classroom, we often talk about how caring for others, including pets, makes the world a better place. These lessons stay with them long after they leave school.

------------------------------
Regina Feighan-Drach
Volunteer
Wet Nose Rescue
PA

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2025 07:00 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Today is National Kids and Pets Day!

Thank you for introducing the topic of child and pet interactions! I would like to share this article by Nicole Forsyth on how pets help foster empathy in children:

 

"Did you know that teaching children empathy skills early in life can increase their confidence and help them better handle stressful situations?

 

Empathy is critical to success throughout life and is a necessary component to developing positive relationships and building rewarding careers. Empathy leads to stronger relationships with people and animals, and helps prevent animal cruelty and neglect, as well as bullying in schools.

 

Through guidance, children can develop the steps necessary for empathy: recognize human and animal emotions, share emotions, and regulate emotions.

Animals are a wonderful medium for helping to teach children how to be empathetic. Not only are companion animals non-judgmental, they offer unconditional love and affection, and are a great support system."

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/09/24/for-the-love-of-pets-animals-can-teach-children-empathy/

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Pets can also play a vital role in the lives of children placed in foster care. These children often struggle to form healthy bonds with their foster families, leaving them feeling isolated or abandoned. A study conducted by Carr and Rockett found that pets offer comfort and non-judgmental support to children in foster care. Being with a pet can create a "safe" space where children can find solace and reflect on emotions that may be difficult to express. Pets do not require verbal communication-sometimes a simple hug or gentle stroke is enough.

One child shared that the foster family's dog became his friend-not because the dog had to, but because the dog chose to. Another powerful story highlighted a boy who began to trust his foster mother after observing her care for their dog. He noticed that even when the dog misbehaved, she didn't get rid of it. Her consistent love and patience helped the boy feel safe enough to start trusting her.

Learning about the profound connection between children and pets leaves me with many questions about the foster care system. Is the bond between a child and a pet considered during placement decisions? I recently heard that one judge required that a pet accompany the child when being placed in a foster home. Is this a commonplace practice? I would love to hear about how the foster care system works in your area and your thoughts on how we can better serve children.

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Linda Daugherty
Associate Director
Program for Pet Health Equity
TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2025 05:00 AM
From: Michael Blackwell
Subject: Today is National Kids and Pets Day!

Let's celebrate the incredible bond between children and pets-a connection that builds compassion, teaches responsibility, and boosts emotional development.

But with that joy comes responsibility:

• Supervise all interactions
• Teach children to approach gently and watch for signs of stress (like growling or flattened ears)
• Match lessons to age-toddlers need different guidance than older kids
• Create safe zones for pets to retreat when overwhelmed

Many bites occur during rough play, sudden movements, or when pets feel startled or trapped. Humane education and bite prevention programs are essential, and they work. Some pets are more tolerant than others. Bite prevention also includes choosing the right pet and socializing them properly. Positive reinforcement and safe spaces for the pet (like a crate or designated quiet area) can reduce stress. Many bites occur during resource guarding (food, toys), rough play, or when pets are startled. Awareness of these common triggers can help prevent incidents.

Does your organization offer programs to teach kids safe, respectful interaction with pets?

Share your ideas or links below so others can learn, replicate, or get inspired. Let's grow this conversation and help more families build healthy, lasting bonds.

------------------------------
Michael J Blackwell, DVM, MPH, FNAP
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.)
Director, Program for Pet Health Equity
Center for Behavioral Health Research
https://pphe.utk.edu
------------------------------

I have spoken to students (K-12) about basic dog "dog language" and what the cats and dogs are saying with their body language.

------------------------------
T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2025 05:00 AM
From: Michael Blackwell
Subject: Today is National Kids and Pets Day!

Let's celebrate the incredible bond between children and pets-a connection that builds compassion, teaches responsibility, and boosts emotional development.

But with that joy comes responsibility:

• Supervise all interactions
• Teach children to approach gently and watch for signs of stress (like growling or flattened ears)
• Match lessons to age-toddlers need different guidance than older kids
• Create safe zones for pets to retreat when overwhelmed

Many bites occur during rough play, sudden movements, or when pets feel startled or trapped. Humane education and bite prevention programs are essential, and they work. Some pets are more tolerant than others. Bite prevention also includes choosing the right pet and socializing them properly. Positive reinforcement and safe spaces for the pet (like a crate or designated quiet area) can reduce stress. Many bites occur during resource guarding (food, toys), rough play, or when pets are startled. Awareness of these common triggers can help prevent incidents.

Does your organization offer programs to teach kids safe, respectful interaction with pets?

Share your ideas or links below so others can learn, replicate, or get inspired. Let's grow this conversation and help more families build healthy, lasting bonds.

------------------------------
Michael J Blackwell, DVM, MPH, FNAP
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.)
Director, Program for Pet Health Equity
Center for Behavioral Health Research
https://pphe.utk.edu
------------------------------