Monday, June 11, 2012

Plan Your Summer Vacation with Your Kids around “Animals”


Most children naturally love animals. And according to a number of studies, there are definite psychological and health benefits to exposure to pets.

Psychologist, Dr. Sue Doescher, concluded that preschool children who interacted with animals are more cooperative and sharing. She said, “Having a pet improves children's role-taking skills because they have to put themselves in the pet's position and try to feel how the pet feels. And that transfers to how other kids feel.”

Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital and the Medical College of Georgia conducted a study about asthma and how animal exposure during infancy reduces allergic sensitization.  It concluded, “Exposure to 2 or more dogs or cats in the first year of life may reduce subsequent risk of allergic sensitization to multiple allergens during childhood.  Other studies have shown that children growing up on farms, especially farms with animals, were less likely to be allergic than were children growing up in urban environments.”

Maybe your family lifestyle can’t fit in a full-time pet.  That doesn’t mean your children need to go without animals.  There are a lot of places here in the Silicon Valley where you and your family can enjoy animals. You can visit some nearby farms, petting zoos and zoos.  Here’s a partial list, but if your favorite spot isn’t listed let us know about it:

Bella Zoo, Martinez
Lemos Farm - Half Moon Bay
Kennedy Park, Hayward
Oakland Zoo, Oakland
Sienna Ranch - Lafayette
Slide Ranch - Muir Beach
Humane Society - If you’re serious about adopting a pet, they have a big selection. 

Not sure you have enough time this summer to visit many of these places?  Ask us at Home Simplify Solutions for suggestions of how we can ease your to-do-list, so you have time to enjoy a great summer with your family. 

Planning your first Silicon Valley summer vacation?  We can help you with your travel arrangements and give you some great suggestions of things to do and see. (Remember to vote by hitting the “like” button for your favorite summer vacation theme in this month’s blog series which includes, Be a Local Tourist and Visit the Silicon Valley’s Great Outdoors.)


No comments: