“This event is aimed at creating a connection between young people and pets, from grade school to college-aged students,” explained SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes. “Studies by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry show there are many benefits for children raised with pets, including contributing to a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence, developing trusting relationships with others, and developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy while providing physical activity, comfort contact, love, loyalty, and affection.”