In the presence of animals

A professor of public health at UCLA says that pet ownership might provide a new form of health care． As far back as the 1790s， the elderly at a senior citizens' home in England （1）

          　（encourage） to spend time with farm animals． This would help patients' mental state more than the cruel therapies（2） 　　（use） on the mentally ill at the time． In recent years， scientists have finally begun to find proof（3） 　　contact with animals can increase a sick person's chance of survival and have shown （4） 　　（lower） heart rate， calm upset children， and get people to start a conversation．

   Scientists think that animals' companionship is beneficial （5） 　　animals are accepting and attentive， and they don't criticize or give orders． Animals have the unique ability to be more social． For example， visitors to nursing homes get more social responses from patients when they come with animal companions．

   Not only do people seem （6） 　　（anxious） when animals are nearby， but they may also live longer． Studies show that a year （7） 　　heart surgery， survival rates for heart patients were higher for those with pets in their homes than those without pets． Elderly people with pets make fewer trips to doctors than those without animal companions， possibly because animals relieve loneliness． Staying with animals is believed to create a peaceful state of mind，（8） 　　（result） in a favorable environment for everyone．

   Research confirms that the findings concerning senior citizens can be applied to restless children． They are more easy﹣going when there are animals around， with （9） 　company they tend to calm down more easily． They involve （10） 　　in playing with animals and the presence of animals conforms them greatly．