Researcher, Robert E. Bierer, Ph.D., studied the interaction of 126 children age 10-12. Ninety-three of them were children with dogs. Bierer said he knew dogs were good medicine but he was surprised at the difference in empathy and self-esteem between the tweens who had a dog and those that didn’t. Kids assumed the role of parent to their dogs. Dogs gave their unconditional love and loyalty to the kids. The dog’s acceptance of their human companion is complete.That gives kids a sense of self worth. Bierer’s studies are now part of volumes of evidence that show dog ownership has a “statistically significant” impact on self-esteem and sensitivity toward others.