Many foster children suffer some level of trauma that can lead to problems with forming emotional attachments, especially with their caregivers. On top of past experiences, foster children may struggle with anxiety and emotional distress when arriving at your home, regardless of how warm and welcoming it is. These complex feelings can be difficult to overcome, which is where having a pet may help.

Choosing a Sensible Pet

There are no rules against having pets and becoming a foster carer, but you need to make sure your pet will be compatible with any children in your care. For example, if you have a dog in your home, no children with dog allergies will be able to stay with you. Additionally, some children may find certain animals scary – like pet mice or rats.

Once you’re registered with a reputable agency like thefca.co.uk, you should communicate with them about choosing the correct type of pet. If you have pets when you apply to become a foster carer, there will be questions about the type of pet and their temperament. After all, safeguarding foster children must come first.

Great Source of Stress Reduction

Extensive research has demonstrated how simply stroking or cuddling a pet will reduce blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn helps the body fight stress. However, this doesn’t mean only strokable pets will help reduce stress; watching fish swim has been proven to produce the same sense of calm.

Will Improve Their Emotional State

Regardless of how many people live in your household, your foster child may feel isolated, which can lead to anxiety and depression. However, having a pet in your home can help reduce loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Further, caring for a pet will teach foster children empathy.

Can Encourage Active Lifestyles

If your family has a dog that needs walking daily, you’ve got the perfect tool for encouraging your foster children to be active. After all, going for a short walk is always better when you’ve got a dog along for the journey.

Even if you don’t have a dog, other pets like kittens and young adult cats will need to be stimulated with plenty of play, which can take it out of you.

May Prevent Allergies

Humans have evolved to overcome allergies and other medical conditions through exposure. For example, we’re all lactose intolerant at a young age, but some people have built up a better level of tolerance to it. The same principle can be applied to growing up with pets, as the University of Warwick found children with pets have a stronger defence system against colds, flu, and allergies.

Excellent for Teaching Responsibility

If you can successfully teach your foster children how to take on reasonable responsibilities, you’re doing something right. When you have a pet, there will be plenty of daily tasks to manage that your foster children can get involved in.

Having a pet in a foster child’s home isn’t a miracle cure for emotional distress, but it can go a long way to making them feel more comfortable.