Benefits of a Pet

The health benefits of having a pet All age groups can benefit physically and psychologically, but children could have the greatest advantages. For many kids, the pet represents a source of security, as well as a playmate. 1.Scientific research on human-animal relationships supports the belief that animals offer us many benefits, including a wide range of physical and psychological health benefits. For example, the action of stroking a pet or watching fish swimming in an aquarium can relieve stress by temporarily lowering heart rate and blood pressure. 2.Different studies have shown that pet owners are healthier than non-owners. In general, they make fewer trips to the doctors every year, and, when they become ill, they suffer from fewer serious illnesses. Owning a pet, especially a dog, can also increase our chances of recovering from serious health problems. Indeed, one American study found that dog owners were 8.6 times more likely to still be alive one year after a heart attack than people who didn’t own a dog! 3.Psychologically, pets can reduce our feelings of isolation and depression, and increase feelings of self-esteem. 4.While all age groups can benefit from owning a pet, children could have the greatest advantages. For many kids, a pet is a source of security and a channel for discussing their fears and worries. This may be helpful to children who are suffering emotionally because of family problems. 5.One recent study from Cambridge has found that these children actually confide more in their pets than their siblings and suggests that the relationship between young people and their pets may be more complex than we think. 6.Pets can also educate children, helping them learn about life and death and teaching them the important life skills of taking responsibility, time management and sharing. In addition, pet ownership may also play a role in character development. Some studies, for instance, have reported that children who grow up with pets are more caring as adults. 7.According to some medical studies, children who live with pets have a smaller chance of developing medical problems like asthma, ear infections and allergies. This is possibly a result of changes to the child’s immune system. 8.However, it must be remembered that animals can be dangerous to human health. They spread disease, give people allergies, bite and can cause psychological trauma. Pets should certainly not be regarded as a perfect pill for treating health problems. But if they are used in the correct way and with the right people, animals can improve our well-being and quality of lives, particularly the lives of children.

Complete the sentence: SPREAD RECOVER IMPROVE RELIEVE MAKE 1.What activities can help to ______________ stress? 2.Why do some people ______________ more trips to the doctor? 3.What can help people to ___________ from an illness such as flu? 4.What can ____________ people’s well-being? 5.What situations can ____________ disease?