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Science can’t explain the power of pets ,but many studies have shown that the company of prts can help lower blood pressure ( 血压) and raise chances of recovering from a heart attack, reduce loneliness and spread all-round good cheer.

Any owner will tell you how much joy a pet brings.For some, an animal provides more comfort than a husband/wife .A2002 study by Karen Allen of the State University of New York measured stress(紧张) levels and blood pressure in people-half of them pet owners –while they performed 5 minutes of mental arithmetic(算术) or held a hand in ice water . Subjects completed the tasks alone , with a husband/wife, a close friend or with a pet . People with pets did 

it best. Those tested with their animal friends had smaller change in blood pressure and returned most quick to base line beart  rates. With pets in the room, people also made fewer math mistakes that when doing in front of other companions. It seems people feel more relaxed (放松) around pets, says Allen, who thinks it may be because pets don’t judge.

Astudy reported last fall suggests that having a pet dog not only  raises your spirits but may also  have an effect on your eating habits. Researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital spent a year studying 36 fat people and their equally  fatdogs  on diet-and-exercise programs; a separate group of 56 people without pets were put on a diet program. On average, people lost about 11 pounds, or 5% of their body weight. Dog owners didn’t  lose any more weight than those without dogs but, say  researchers, got more exercise  overall-mostly  with their dogs-and found it worth doing.