Disclaimer
Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice.
Small Hands, Soft Paws and this website offer general information for parents and caregivers. They are not medical, psychological, behavioral or veterinary advice, and they are not a substitute for a professional who knows your child, your family and your animal. They do not diagnose or treat any condition, and no outcome is promised.
About the research
Research on pets and child development is still developing. Many of the studies described in the book are correlational and cannot prove cause and effect. Findings are summarized in plain language; please see the original papers, listed in the book's sources, for full details.
Safety
Always supervise young children around animals. Follow the advice of your pediatrician, family doctor, child psychologist and veterinarian, as well as local public health guidance where you live. If your child's fears, worries or tantrums are intense or long-lasting, or an animal has shown aggression, talk to a qualified professional.
Illustrations
The illustrations were created with the help of AI and show fictional characters. The opening scene in the book is an illustration, not a case study.