Book explores connections between animals, children

By Jamie Teibel
Summer Editor

Think back to the first pet you ever had. Whether it was a dog, cat, gerbil or goldfish, it possibly had some effect on your adult life.

Gail Melson, a professor of developmental studies, has authored a book, titled "Why the Wild Things Are," that explores the connections children have to animals and how their experiences may shape them as adults.

Melson did research on children mostly from Indiana, with a number of studies done in the Greater Lafayette area on children ranging in age from preschool to adolescence. She also used children in the surrounding rural counties and data collected based on national samples. She said she used not only her work, but also interviewed others about similar work they had done that studied and worked with children.

She also interviewed therapists, who use animals to help troubled children, "It forms a bridge that helps (children) identify with adults and other children."

In her book, Melson discusses the effects of animals in the classroom. She observed classrooms and talked with teachers around the country. She said that the animals teach the children "nurturance;" learning how to nurture and care for animals that are more helpless than they are. "Kids don't often get the opportunity to care for individuals that are more dependent and helpless than they are," she said.

She said that animals in the classroom do two things: provide motivation for learning and serve as a stress reducer. Teachers can use animals as a part of the teaching curriculum by integrating them into the lesson, she said. As a stress reducer, animals provide a way for kids to take a calming break during the school day, said Melson. She compared it to petting a cat, how it calms and relieves, even slows down the heart rate.

Melson said that the success of having an animal also depends on how a teacher utilizes the opportunity. "Good teachers use everything in their class room in a skillful way," she said.

No matter what type of animal it is, Melson said that by helping them thrive, children can see they have something that needs and requires care that is different from what people need. They see what the world is like from an animal's view, an important skill that children need, she said.

Melson said that almost any animal can teach a child nurturing skills. "What we found is that children become attached to a wide variety, but dogs and cats are most common," she said. She has come to the conclusion that species isn't important. She said that it depends on many factors, such as the size of one's home, money issues or allergies.

Melson said that she has come to the theory that as a species, humans have a natural tendency to be interested in animals. She said its part of our human heritage and our human evolution. That is why there are books about animals and why parents take their kids to the zoo.

But, although there is interest in the animals themselves, not much research has been done on the relationship between children and animals. Melson said she wrote "Why the Wild Things Are" to stimulate research. "It's the only book on the subject that exists," she said. "It's surprising."

Melson, who had pets when she was younger, said she also had pets in the house when her children were young, and could see how important those relationships were. "I think it provided something to take care of as I was growing up, and the opportunity for children to have something to take care of is an important experience."

Another way animals benefit children is with the experience with death and loss. Melson said that 80 percent of children first encounter death with an animal.

She said that animals also offer a lot of companionship and emotional support. "We have found that children often confide in their animals, talk to them." Melson continued, saying that children use talking to animals to get a feeling of support, to make them feel better

Children aren't the only ones who use pets for those needs. Melson said that 95 percent of people surveyed said they talk to their pets. She said that talking to animals fulfills an emotional need, almost like they understand, giving pet owners the feeling that they're talking to a good friend. "Pets are available," said Melson. "You come home, there they are."

She said pets are good substitutes for humans because friends can be too busy. "Pets don't have appointments that conflict," said Melson. "They can be that shoulder to cry on."

To date, no one has followed a child into adulthood and traced how an animal has affected him or her. Melson said that college students who had animals tend to be more concerned with the welfare of animals and promote appreciation for animal welfare issues. She said that it is not true for 100 percent of the population, and the people interviewed had to think back to their childhood.

"Why the Wild Things Are," by Gail F. Melson is available at Von's Bookstore, Barnes & Noble and Border's Book Store.