Can Puppies Improve Students’ Performance in the Classroom?
While you may initially assume that a puppy would be an adorable distraction from academic activities, recent studies indicate that puppies may actually help students improve their classroom performance.
Statistics now show that our furry friends provide social, emotional, physical, mental, and academic benefits inside and outside the classroom. A recent survey by MARS Petcare indicated that 56% of parents said having a pet helped improve their child’s academic performance.
But how are puppies responsible for academic success in our children?
Emotional Benefits of Caring for a Puppy
Owning a pet from a young age can have a significant impact on the life, character, and emotional health of your child. Not only does your child learn the responsibility of caring for the animal, but they develop healthy coping and emotional regulation skills as well.
From a young age, children learn things such as trust and compassion when caring for their puppy. Have you ever been sad around a dog? Canines offer incredible unconditional love and support for their hurting and grieving humans; a trait learned by children as they experience this deep love and connection.
Pets, such as puppies, help boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence. When a puppy expresses love for the child, it’s an instant confidence boost. Children also develop confidence in their own traits and abilities as they take on more responsibility in caring for their beloved pup.
Patience is an emotional trait that children learn particularly well by spending time with their puppy. Puppies don’t always behave as the child would prefer. But their cute cuddly faces and unconditional love help the child discover the value of patience with their furry friend.
In addition, children learn things such as social skills, motivation, empathy, loyalty, and more valuable traits and lessons by spending time with their puppies. All of these characteristics help to create a healthy, emotionally regulated child that is ready and willing to learn.
Physical Benefits of Owning a Puppy
A child with a puppy is an active child! Puppies, much like young children, do not plan to sit still for long. Puppies require exercise and attention; whether that be indoor or outside. Tasking a child with walking their pup or playing with him/her will naturally help increase your child’s physical activity.
Research also indicates that children who grow up in homes with pets (particularly canine companions) are more likely to be healthier. These children are less likely to acquire ear infections, respiratory tract infections, or be on antibiotics.
Allowing and empowering the body to naturally fend off bugs and allergens isn’t just great for time well spent at home. This also results in fewer sick days (for children and caretakers) and more time spent in the classroom. Fewer allergies mean a clearer head to focus on their studies, rather than suffering through the daily lesson in a fog.
Mental Health Benefits of Owning a Puppy
We are undoubtedly attached to our pets. Our puppies are no exception. This deep emotional connection is great support for our mental health. Pets contribute daily to our happiness and joy. This results in a reduction of stress, anxiety, and even depression. Puppies help ease loneliness and help to keep students company during intense seasons of studying when they would rather be socializing with friends. Pets encourage us to be social, and energetic, and to get outdoors. They promote healthy and consistent exercise that is not only good for our physical health but our mental health as well.
The evidence of a pup’s impact on our mental health is also clear in science. When a puppy is close by, the companionship increases oxytocin production and serotonin levels in the body. These chemicals decrease overall stress levels and help to lower blood pressure. Decreased stress allows students to focus more clearly and empowers their brains to learn without outside distractions from stress. Lower blood pressure calms anxiety and provides for a healthy state in which to learn and excel.
Getting a Puppy to Help My Child with Academic Performance
Finding the perfect puppy to assist your child or college student with academic performance does not need to be stressful. At Sugar Sweet Georgia Puppies, our expert staff is available to answer all your questions and help match your family with the perfect pup to complement your lifestyle.
Our puppies are happy and healthy and provided with top-quality vet support and socialization plans from the moment they enter our care. We want our Sugar Sweet families to take home a fluffy bundle of joy! That’s why we ensure our puppies are happy, healthy, and well socialized before they become available to meet their furever family.
Ready to find the perfect furry study buddy? Contact us today to meet your puppy.
