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Research has shown that heart attack victims who have pets
live longer. Even watching a tank full of tropical fish may ___1___
blood pressure, at least temporarily. A study of 92 patients
hospitalized in coronary care units ___2___
angina or heart attack found that those who owned pets were more
likely to be alive a year later than those who did not. The
study found that only 6 percent of patients who owned pets died ___3___
one year compared with 28 percent of those who did not own pets.
The therapeutic use of pets as companions ___4___
increasing attention in recent years for a wide variety of
patients - people with AIDS or cancer, the elderly and the
mentally ill. Unlike people, with ___5___
our interactions maybe quite complex and unpredictable, animals
provide a constant source of comfort and focus for attention.
Animals ___6___
our nurturing instinct. They also make us feel safe and
unconditionally accepted. We can just be ourselves around our
pets.
___7___ the animals that
have been used as part of therapy programs are dogs, cats,
dolphins and horses. Working with these animals is relaxing and
enjoyable. |
