You probably heard the saying that a dog is a man’s best friend. But have you ever stopped to consider why? There are many benefits from owning a pet for both children and adults alike. For instance, pet owners over the age 65 make 30 percent fewer trips to their doctors than those without pets. This might be because owning a pet tends to make people feel good. Dogs provide loyal companionship, which can help combat loneliness and depression in older adults. Also, owning a pet can motivate a person to get outside and exercise and even socialize more with other pet owners.

State the claim the speaker presents in the argument Explain if the speaker provides relevant evidence to support the claim and sufficient evidence in the argument

The claim presented by the speaker is that owning a pet provides many benefits for both children and adults, such as improved mental and physical health, reduced loneliness and depression, and increased motivation for exercise and socializing.

The speaker provides relevant evidence to support the claim, stating that pet owners over the age of 65 make 30 percent fewer trips to their doctors than those without pets. This suggests that owning a pet can have a positive impact on physical health.

In terms of mental health, the speaker mentions that owning a pet provides loyal companionship which can combat loneliness and depression in older adults. While this is a relevant claim, the speaker does not provide specific evidence or studies to support this statement.

The speaker also mentions that owning a pet can motivate a person to get outside and exercise and socialize more with other pet owners. This implies that owning a pet can have positive effects on both physical and social well-being. However, no specific evidence or studies are provided to support this claim.

Overall, the speaker does present relevant evidence to support the claim, particularly in terms of the impact on physical health. However, the evidence supporting the mental health and social benefits of owning a pet could be further strengthened with specific examples or studies.