LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERSPET BENEFITS
Jul. 10, 2025
Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
Type of language: General English
Tags: Animals; Health and Well-being; Health and Illness; Developing an Argument; Speaking; Vocabulary Lesson; Article Based; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old; 13-15 Years Old
Publication date: 07/10/2025
In this refreshed lesson, students read an article about the health benefits of keeping a pet. The worksheet focuses on vocabulary for talking about health and well-being as well as functional expressions for connecting ideas and developing an argument.
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT
The health benefits of having a pet
All age groups can benefit physically and psychologically, but children could have the greatest advantages. For many kids, the pet represents a source of security, as well as a playmate.
Scientific research on human-animal relationships supports the belief that animals offer us many benefits, including a wide range of physical and psychological health benefits. For example, the action of stroking a pet or watching fish swimming in an aquarium can relieve stress by temporarily lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
Different studies have shown that pet owners are healthier than non-owners. In general, they make fewer trips to the doctors every year, and, when they become ill, they suffer from fewer serious illnesses. Owning a pet, especially a dog, can also increase our chances of recovering from serious health problems. Indeed, one American study found that dog owners were 8.6 times more likely to still be alive one year after a heart attack than people who didn’t own a dog! Psychologically, pets can reduce our feelings of isolation and depression and increase feelings of self-esteem.
While all age groups can benefit from owning a pet, children could have the greatest advantages. For many kids, a pet is a source of security and a channel for discussing their fears and worries. This may be helpful to children who are suffering emotionally because of family problems. One recent study from Cambridge has found that these children actually confide more in their pets than their siblings and suggests that the relationship between young people and their pets may be more complex than we think.
Pets can also educate children, helping them learn about life and death and teaching them the important life skills of taking responsibility, time management and sharing. In addition, pet ownership may also play a role in character development. Some studies, for instance, have reported that children who grow up with pets are more caring as adults. According to some medical studies, children who live with pets have a smaller chance of developing medical problems like asthma, ear infections and allergies. This is possibly a result of changes to the child’s immune system.
However, it must be remembered that animals can be dangerous to human health. They spread disease, give people allergies, bite and can cause psychological trauma. Pets should certainly not be regarded as a perfect pill for treating health problems. But if they are used in the correct way and with the right people, animals can improve our well-being and quality of life, particularly the lives of children.
Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/pet-benefits. Accessed on July 18, 2025. LinguaHouse.com © 2008–2025. All rights reserved.
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