speech draft (written out )

  The social, emotional, and physical benefits of owning a pet

                                    Nancy Reyes

One can have a variety of different best friends; this best friend could be a next-door neighbor, or a rock from your moms garden HEY! It could even be an eraser from the dollar store, but like most my best friend is my dog Mary.

 Good morning Ms.lees and fellow students, owning a pet has many social and emotional benefits and it has been proven that owning a pet has reduced loneliness by 67%. There will always be a time when we feel down or stressed out and maybe there is no one to turn to and to hear your concerns Pets can help us relax and focus our attention away from our problems and worries and they will always be sitting there listening to you. For Example when I feel really stressed with homework or maybe with my family I take a small break and spend time with my dog and after spending time with her I feel relieved and I go back to do what I was doing feeling much better.

Owning a pet tends to create a sense of assurance for their owners, and people who own a pet like a dog tend to feel less afraid of being a victim of a crime whether it’s inside their home or taking a walk with their dog. If you have lost someone very important to you or if you are beginning to adjust to an illness having a pet is a great source of comfort. Both adults and Children often turn to their pet for comfort if a friend or family member dies or leaves the family, and also some studies have shown that people who have a pet and have gone through a tragic event are less depressed because their pets give them comfort and Pets provide some consistency to our lives. Caring for a pet can significantly affect our routine and gives us something to do and look forward to each day. An example is that when I fell ill and had to stay in the hospital for a week when I came back home my dog comforted me and cheered me up while I was recovering.

  Not only does a pet provide social and emotional benefits but a pet also provide physical benefits. Owning a pet increases the physical activities that you do in you daily routine, you have to take them for daily walks and play with them whether its fetch or tug-a-war. Studies have shown that a pet can improve your health, people with pets have been found to have lower cholesterol levels compared to people who did not have pets, even when matched for weight, diet, and smoking habits. Also a study has shown that someone who has a pet lives longer than someone who does not. In my opinion having a pet is important, I know my dog motivates me to get off’ the couch and taker her for a walk when my dog gives me the “ I’m about to pee on the floor and get you in trouble unless you take me out NOW” warning look.

 In addition to the other benefits that come out from owning a pet, there is also one more important thing, which is the bond that forms between the pet and the owner. When you have a pet you tend to develop a nurturing instinct towards your pet and your pet also develops a nurturing instinct towards you. If you take good care of your pet and give them lots of love when you are older or when you are in need your pet will take care of you and would do anything to help you get back to normal.

Pets can greatly influence how we feel about life and ourselves in general. They are teachers and healers of extraordinary measures. Man’s best friend, Buddy, Pal, these are what some people call their best friends. My best friend is named Mary and she has been my therapist, my personal trainer, and my partner in crime, and I could ask for a better pet.