Being a pet owner has become increasingly popular. In 1988, only 56% of U.S. households owned a pet. But according to the 2009/2010 National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.4 millions homes, 5.3 million owning a small animal pet.

This increase may be related to recent research that shows pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief, and other health benefits (unless you’re someone who really dislikes animals or is absolutely too busy to care for one accordingly). For example, pets can add structure to your life. Most humans need some sort of structure in their life because, though it may not seem like it, structure provides daily organization. Pets are entirely dependent on their owners for exercise, food, and health care. Having a pet will definitely provide structure into the owner’s life and will set a steady rhythm.

Pet ownership can also improve your mood. For those who love animals, it’s basically impossible to stay in a bad mood when petting a long-ear rabbit, or when a hamster’s tiny feet tickle your bare skin.

All sorts of pets can improve family bonds as well. Anyone who is a pet owner knows that they become a member of the family rather quickly. They teach compassion, responsibility, and nurturing behavior. Pets can also make great playmates for the kids.

So whether you own a pet for therapeutic, educational, or family building reasons, the benefits of owning one are definitely large in number. Please share with us how your pet has positively impacted you and/or your family!

Recently through Twitter, a user shared with us a very heart warming message and we wanted to it with you:

“I’m autistic, [and I] don’t know what I would do without a hamster. Hamsters don’t judge you, laugh at you, or hate. He just wants love and treats.”

The human-animal bond miraculously skips our intellect and goes directly to our heart and emotions. It nurtures us in ways that nothing else can. The message above really captures that. Many studies have also shown the beneficial effects of animals on the health and adjustment of individuals. Dogs, cats, and small animal pets can help build rapport, enhance counseling relationships, and can help with the expression of feelings, responsibility, grief, and attachment.

Pets in a family (or classroom) with autism can also be very therapeutic and can encourage an autistic child to have responsibility, follow instructions, love the pet with hugs, talk, cry and express emotions to it. All things they may not do with others.

Before purchasing a pet, make sure to talk about what kind of small animal would be best for your family or classroom. Discuss its’ care, associated costs, and who will have the ultimate responsibility of taking care of your new friend. If you’ve decided to get a pet, it’s a good idea to take your family to various pet stores or animal shelters, and visit other families have pets. This will give you a chance to evaluate how an individual responds to various kinds of pets. You can also purchase a stuffed animal that looks like the kind of pet you and your children want. You can use the stuffed animal to practice and show an individual what to expect when the animal comes home as a permanent member of your family or classroom.