American Humane Association Offers Tips to Help Children Deal With Concerns That May Arise Following Earthquake

Experts remind parents and caregivers even mild quakes can have impacts

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Even a relatively mild earthquake like the one that rattled windows, knocked books off shelves and evacuated buildings up and down the East Coast today can have a profound effect on the emotional well-being of a child.

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"Everything tends to be bigger in the mind of a child, so when you've got your whole house shaking and the furniture trembling on the floor, even for a few seconds, it can have a major emotional impact," noted Dr. Robin Ganzert, president & CEO of American Humane Association, the nation's voice for the protection of children and animals, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and experienced the quake. "This feeling is compounded in a region where earthquakes are extremely rare, and especially following a storm season like the one we had this year. The best thing for parents and caregivers is to talk to children calmly but quickly, before feelings of fear, anxiety or helplessness have a chance to take root."

Based on its nearly 100 years of experience as a first responder organization in every manner of natural disaster and crisis situation, American Humane Association has developed a series of simple tips for talking to children about events that may be distressing or disturbing.

• Keep an eye on children's emotional reactions. Talk to children – and just as important – listen to them. Encourage kids to express how they feel and ask if anything is worrying them.
• Regardless of age, reassure them frequently that you, local officials, and their communities are prepared to handle all sorts of situations, and that your family has a plan in place for dealing with the unexpected. Older children may seem more capable, but can also be affected.
• Watch for symptoms of stress, including clinginess, stomachaches, headaches, nightmares, trouble eating or sleeping, or changes in behavior.
• If you are concerned about the way your children are responding, consult your doctor, school counselor or local mental health professional.

Ganzert said pet owners should also watch for changes in behavior among the animals in their lives. Dogs and cats especially can be particularly sensitive to any changes in their surroundings, and can pick up on anxiety in the home. Pets that do show changes in mood – especially any aggressive behavior – may need to be afforded more space than usual around other animals, children and strangers. And just like children, animals experiencing times of stress need comforting, too. Ganzert said the best way to comfort your pet is with kind words and lots of pats or hugs.

About American Humane Association

Since 1877 the historic American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding human-animal interaction and its role in society. As the nation's voice for the protection of children and animals, American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

SOURCE American Humane Association

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