Photo: Getty
Children worldwide swapped the classroom for the living room in 2020, as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemiccaused many schools to switchto virtual learninglast year. As part of this transition, some children swapped their human classmates for pet study buddies.
The results reveal that parents see pets as beneficial companions for their children, especially during times of stress. Of the 2,000 parents surveyed, 83% percent said their pets help reduce their children’s anxiety, especially during virtual learning. Close to 85% of parents surveyed said having a dog or cat in the house has made virtual learning more enjoyable for their children overall.
The surveyed parents also found plenty of other reasons to praise their pets, with a majority claiming that pets have helped boost their child’s self-confidence, keep their kid to a daily routine, offer more opportunities for physical activity and improve the household’s overall mood during the pandemic.
The survey also found that parents believe their pets have benefited from having more time with the family. Of the parents polled, 87% think the extra time their pet has had with their children has been enjoyable for the animal, and 77% believe the extra time has made their pet calmer.
Understandably, the survey also found that many parents are eager to have pet programs in the classroom after seeing how their furry friends have helped with virtual learning. Of those surveyed, 74% of parents said they want schools to invest most in pet interaction programs.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
