雅思阅读精选：养狗有利于身体健康(BBC)_雅思英语阅读

雅思阅读精选：养狗有利于身体健康(BBC)

Dr June McNicholas, Health psychologist

　　She confirmed that pet owners tended in general to be healthier than the average member of the population.

　　However, her research suggested that dog ownership produced more positive influence than cat ownership.

　　As well as lower blood pressure and cholesterol, she said dog-owners suffered fewer minor ailments and serious medical problems.

　　There was also the suggestion that dogs could aid recovery from serious illnesses such as heart attacks, and act as early warning to detect an approaching epileptic seizure.

　　Stress-busting

　　Dr Wells said the precise reason for the benefits was not totally clear.

　　It is possible that dogs can directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress, one of the major risk factors associated with ill-health.

　　The ownership of a dog can also lead to increases in physical activity and facilitate the development of social contacts, which may enhance both physiological and psychological human health in a more indirect manner.

　　Dr June McNicholas, a health psychologist who has specialised on research into the health effects of pet ownership said that an important reason for the improved health of dog-owners was not just the exercise received while taking it for walks, but the opportunity for social contact with other dog-owners.