题型：阅读理解 题类：模拟题 难易度：普通
黑龙江省齐齐哈尔市2021届高三下学期英语第二次模拟考试卷
A new study looks at how pets provide important support through petting, cuddles (拥抱), and a frequent physical presence. This is especially key when people feel lonely.
The researchers interviewed 32 people aged 59 to 83 years old. Pets included dogs, cats, birds, etc. More than 90%of the people spoke about touch in the relationship with their pets. "Participants often described touch-based interactions with their pets as being comforting or relaxing in a way that contributed to their overall wellbeing," the researchers say. "For our participants, comfort is the sense of being somehow cared for by another being. "
Many people in the study spoke about how their pets just seemed to "know" when they weren't feeling well and they'd move to get physically near them. Different pets were better at providing comfort, some participants insisted. Many said cats were more relaxing companions than dogs, while others said dogs could be relaxing as long as they were "the right kind of dog". But almost all pets provided some sort of comfort to their owners when it came to touch.
Janette Young, lecturer in health sciences at the University of South Australia, and her team uncovered an interesting thing about the pet-human relationship. People in the study often spoke about how their animals demanded to be petted or seemed to take joy in the interaction. This, in turn, made the humans feel good.
The researchers suggest that pets can be "helpful in reducing touch deprivation(匮乏)" and the benefits can come from all kinds of pets. This connection can be particularly important in health care and senior care settings where patients and workers are less likely to be able to see friends and family; yet touch is important and can improve health and happiness.
Pets can also offer benefits that in some cases people can't offer. "Relationships with pets are different to those with humans," Young says. "Animals don't judge and are always with us."
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