Many children have a strong bond with their pet, and research indicates that this may be much more than just a friendship. Studies have shown that owning a pet not only helps children learn skills like responsibility, but can also aid in their development.

According to www.mnn.com, kids who grow up with pets tend to have a higher level of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) than their pet-free peers, developing traits such as compassion, self-esteem and cognitive development, among others.

Of course, as in many similar studies of psychological comparisons over an extended period of time, proving that high EQ is caused by owning a pet is difficult; each child who participates in these studies comes from a unique background and could be influenced by any number of other factors that could also have an effect on their emotional development. However, Professor Jay Belsky’s 1984 model describing the variables of child development has provided a standardized measurement tool for researchers. Their studies have all come up with similar findings—regardless of other factors, kids with pets are more likely to have high EQ, which suggests that the pets may be the cause of these developmental advantages.Researchers have found a trend where children, especially those who have trouble communicating with others, are often more likely to open up to a pet than to another person. Even from a young age, children’s self-esteem is boosted by helping with small responsibilities related to pet care, such as filling a food or water bowl. The combination of feeling as if they are helping their pet and the praise from a parent can teach kids the value of their contributions, increasing their confidence and making them more comfortable in other social situations.

“It is possible that by interacting with pets that are totally dependent on the owner, children learn to understand the feelings and needs of animals and those of fellow human beings from an early age,” wrote Nienke Endenburg and Ben Baarda in a review of effects of relationships between children and their pets.

Other research has found that owning a pet is not the only way for children to get these benefits. What really matters is not whether or not they own the pet, but whether they feel connected to the pet. As a result, classroom pets have been found to be just as constructive in some cases.

Because this is still a relatively new field of study, researchers cannot say definitively that a relationship with a pet can help a child’s development, but the studies that have been conducted so far may have gotten us a little closer to understanding why exactly pets are so important to kids.