According to data from the Companion Animal Identification Archive (AIAC) of the Council of Veterinary Colleges of Catalonia, 1.3 million dogs and 344,385 cats were registered in our country in 2024. In Barcelona, there is already approximately one dog for every 10 inhabitants, which means that in many homes, children and pets coexist amicably. Now, which pets, and from what age do experts recommend families incorporate one into their home? Psychologist and animal-assisted intervention (IAA) professional Silvia Guillamón advises introducing animals into the home from 3-4 years of age, starting with easy-to-handle pets such as fish, hamsters, or rabbits. From 6-7 years of age, "if the child shows interest, empathy, and a capacity for responsibility," she clarifies, living with dogs or cats can be considered. Likewise, with children who already live with a pet and have established a healthy bond, adding another one can be considered, "as long as the well-being of the first animal and the family's ability to care for two are guaranteed," emphasizes the director of the L'Arbre Center.

"When will I see Nemo again?" a five-year-old girl asks, after having testified for a long time in a court appearance as a victim of abuse. Nemo is the name of a small Cavalier dog that accompanied her during the testimony while she answered questions from judges, prosecutors, and lawyers. Upon leaving, the girl didn't say anything to her mother about what she had been asked, nor about what she ended up answering about the alleged injuries. She just wanted to know if she would see Nemo again.