52


T e Modern Family Pets & Family Life Pet project


Experts reveal how to safely introduce pets into your family home. Words: Andy Hill


I


f you’re a parent, it’s only a matter of time before you hear: “Can we get a pet?” T is is usually followed by, “Please! I’ll


look after it, I promise!” Of course, you know how this goes: you’ll be the one walking, feeding and cleaning up once the novelty wears off . Still, pets can bring huge joy and


teach kids empathy, patience and responsibility. T e key is choosing wisely and making those fi rst introductions safe and stress-free — for both children and animals. Here, three experts share their top tips.


Pick the right pet Sarah Grant, a spokesperson for Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, says: “Before you get a dog, think about what you can off er them. A happy, healthy dog is far more likely to settle well with your family.” T at means being realistic about


time and energy. Dogs need daily exercise, stimulation and training — especially as puppies. Size and temperament matter, too. “Smaller or calmer breeds are often easier to manage around young children than big, boisterous ones,” Sarah explains. She recommends visiting the dog


together before adoption so everyone can meet under supervision. “At home, always supervise interactions,” she adds. “Let kids know dogs approach on their own terms. If it walks away, it needs space.” If you’re not sure where to start,


PETS CAN HELP CHILDREN LEARN EMPATHY/GETTY


rehoming centres can help. “We guide families through training and settling-in advice,” she says. “We also off er a free Behaviour Support Line for new adopters.” Laying those foundations down early helps dogs feel secure and builds healthy routines for life.


Promotional Content • Saturday 30th August 2025


Teach calm handling “Even if a cat has lived with children before, every environment is diff erent,” says Daniel Warren- Cummings, central behaviour offi cer for Cats Protection. When bringing a cat home, keep


them in a quiet room at fi rst to help them settle. Once confi dent, allow gradual, gentle introductions. “Talk to children about staying calm and giving cats space,” Daniel says. “Use examples they understand — like how they wouldn’t want someone running up to them suddenly.” Teach children to off er a hand and


stroke gently around the head or neck. Avoid hugging or loud noises. Bonding activities like fi shing-rod toys or tossing treats can help and older kids can learn basic feline body language. “It’s useful to explain simple


signals,” Daniel adds. “A swishing tail, fl attened ears or dilated pupils mean a cat may be overstimulated. Learning these signs helps kids respect boundaries.”


Consider their habitat Not all pets live indoors. “Hens make brilliant pets for families,” says Francesca Mapp at the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT). “T ey’re gentle, curious and a lovely way for children to learn handling and responsibility.” A fl ock of three can thrive in a


garden space roughly the size of a car parking spot, provided it’s secure and has a warm, dry coop for night-time. “Some families convert old Wendy houses or garden sheds, adding shade and dust baths,” Francesca explains. “T ey don’t need much beyond the


basics,” she says. “Fresh water, layers pellets, a perch and a safe spot to sleep.” With careful introductions and the


right set-up, hens settle well around children — and sometimes other pets, too. “T ey’re surprisingly sociable,” says Francesca. Pets can bring joy, structure and


calm into busy family life, but only with preparation and patience. Choose carefully, respect boundaries and involve children from the start — it’s the beginning of a lifelong bond.


HENS ARE SURPRISINGLY SOCIABLE/ GETTY


What can we learn from autism assistance dogs?


We live in an era of heightened aware- ness of neurodiversity, and thankful- ly greater acceptance has come with that. But are our communities still missing out by not fully understand- ing neurodiversity, its complexities and challenges, and most important of all, the benefi ts of greater integra- tion with the autistic people we live, learn and work with? Dogs for Autism is a pioneering


charity based in Hampshire that’s been successfully training autism as- sistance dogs since 2019. It’s the only organisation off ering these servic- es free of charge to both adults and children throughout the UK. T eir family liaison and dog training teams all have lived experience of autism and learning disabilities. And they’ve seen fi rst hand how the dogs they train can teach us as much as we can teach them. Every dog in training comes with


no preconceived ideas of how a hu- man should behave or communicate. T ey simply accept the people they meet for who they are. T ese special dogs pick up changes in those around them that are invisible to us. T e char- ity has learnt how to refi ne this skill and teach the dogs to give a cue so the individual and their family can be alerted to an impending meltdown. T is alone can mean the diff erence between a family or individual being reluctant to leave the house, or know- ing they can safely go out for the day. T ere’s no embarrassment felt by a


dog, no awkwardness, no judgement. T ey’re steadfast, comforting and aware. With the training tailored to the individual’s needs, Dogs for Au- tism is giving autistic children and adults the opportunity to grow in confi dence, to know they have help at hand, to communicate more eas-


ily and to fi nd their voice. And the people around them can only benefi t from that. Recent fi gures suggest that the cost


of supporting autistic people in the UK is £27.5bn annually. Dogs for Au- tism is determined to do as much as they can to reduce the impact on the NHS and the government. And by embracing neurodiversi-


ty and providing early intervention through


tailor trained assistance


dogs, communities can unlock the potential of autistic individuals and create a more vibrant, inclusive and innovative society.


Dogs for Autism is transforming lives across the UK and we need your support to keep going. Scan the QR code to donate now, or visit dogsforautism.org.uk to see how you can make a diff erence


REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1181615


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56