8/11 (Wed.) Healthy Reasons to Own a Pet (Host: Meng-Chih)

[Meng-Chih]

Hi, my dear YOYO members, this is Meng-Chih. I'm glad to be the host for the first time in YOYO, and looking forward to it very much.

Do you have any pets? Do you know keeping pets has something to do with your health? Please read down and you'll find more benefits of keeping pets that you never knew.


Healthy Reasons to Own a Pet

57% of American households own at least 1 animal according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. And that is great news because people with pets get many health benefits.

PhD, a researcher at the University of Buffalo conducted a study involving 48 stockbrokers who were all on medication for hypertension. 24 were given their choice of a dog or a cat to take home and care for. After caring for the pets for a while; blood pressure and heart rates were checked on all participants. Those with a pet had lower heart rates and had drops in their blood pressure versus the group without pets. Once those without pets learned the results many went out and got a pet.

Benefits of Pet Ownership:

* Reduce stress and blood pressure.

* Pets provide unconditional love. They are always happy to greet you when you arrive home.

* Criminals hate dogs. A dog is good personal security when you are out walking and good security for your home when you are not there.

* Walking a dog will help keep you fit and active.

* Pets are a responsibility that give a since of purpose, boosting your feelings of self worth. If you are feeling inadequate, unsure, or not useful; a pet (any kind, turtle, cat, horse) will boost your feelings of self worth because they are counting on you for their care.

* Need a date? Walking a dog breaks all kinds of social communication barriers. Neighbors or strangers are much more likely to approach you and strike up a conversation about your dog when they see you out walking or at the dog park. So if you need a date borrow a dog and get outside, there is no telling who you may meet, maybe your future spouse.

* Dogs can help clean your house. Drop a little popcorn on the floor, don’t worry about it, your dog will clean up the crumbs in no time. I think that is why dogs and little kids are so great together. One creates lots of crumbs and the other cleans them up.

* Studies have shown that heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without.

* An Australian and German study found that people who own pets have fewer doctor visits. (Aust Social Monitor 2002; 4: 93-99). Saving you money and keeping you healthier.

* Pets prevent you from being lonely. They are great to talk too even thou they don’t talk back. Giving you someone to confide in who you know won’t break a confidence.

* Pets can provide you with a new social network. You will meet people with similar interests at the dog park, dog shows, and other neighbors when you are out walking your dog.

* Alzheimer’s patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is a pet in the house.

Dogs and cats are the most popular pets but that doesn’t have to be your choice. The studies indicate that the important thing is that it is a pet of your own, whether it is a horse, fish, rabbit, or iguana. Do not jump right out and get a pet before reading about the care required and making sure you have no allergy or asthma concerns.

Many communities have a program called “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” where you can go and walk a dog from a shelter. Giving you some exercise and providing a shelter dog some companionship and exercise. Check to see if this is available at your local shelter. You may get some of the health benefits of pet ownership while providing a community service.


From: http://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog ... own-a-pet/


Section 1:

1. Do/Did you have any pets? Why do you keep pets, or why not?

2. If you don’t have one, will you think of keeping one for healthy reasons?

3. There are lots of stray dogs and cats on streets. Do you think people would be really happier with pets than those without pets?

Section 2:

4. If your partner has pets that you hate (or your partner doesn’t like your pets), and s/he has convincing reasons to hate/keep them(e.g. allergy, security), what would you do?

5. Some pets inherited a large amount of money, and they became millionaires. Would you leave your pets something if they live longer?

6. Many pets’ owners treat their pets like “human,” for example, dressing them up. Why do you think they would do this?



********************************************************************************************************************************************
Agenda:
6:45 ~ 7:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
7:00 ~ 7:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
7:50 ~ 8:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
8:10 ~ 8:25pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:25 ~ 9:05pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
9:05 ~ 9:25pm Summarization (20 mins)
9:25 ~ 9:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements ********************************************************************************************************************************************
聚會日期：列於該貼文主題內
聚會時間：當天請準時於 6:45 pm 到達 ~ 約 9:30 pm 左右結束
星期三聚會地點：丹堤濟南店
地址、電話：台北市濟南路三段25號 地圖 (02) 2740-2350
捷運站：板南線 忠孝新生站 3 號出口
走法：出忠孝新生站 3 號出口後，沿著巷子(忠孝東路三段10巷)走約 2 分鐘，到了濟南路口，左轉走約 2 分鐘即可看到。
最低消費： 80 元


注意事項：
1. 文章是否需要列印請自行斟酌，但與會者請務必自行列印 Questions for discussion。
2. 與會者請先閱讀過文章，並仔細想過所有的問題，謝謝合作！

給新朋友的話：
1. 請事先準備 2~3 分鐘的英語自我介紹；會議結束前可能會請你發表 1~2 分鐘的感想。
2. 請事先閱讀文章以及主持人所提的討論問題，並事先寫下自己所欲發表意見的英文。
3. 全程以英語進行，參加者應具備中等英語會話能力，對任一討論問題，能夠以 5 到 10 句英文表達個人見解。
4. 在正式加入之前，可以先來觀摩三次，觀摩者亦須參與討論。正式加入需繳交終身會費 NT$1,000。

[joseph]

My darkness pomeranian when he was one year old:

[Rock]

Hey, Joseph, you and your dog look so alike. Cute.

[Wayne]

Attendees today: Chen Nien, William, Debby, Janet, Claire, Wayne, Carrie, Ben, Gavin, Debby, ... (Please help fill or correct the list.)

Has anyone taken pictures?