Use the paragraph from a speaker's argument to answer the questions.

You have probably heard the saying that a dog is a man’s best friend. But have you ever stopped to consider why? There are many health benefits from owning a pet for both children and adults alike. For instance, pet owners over 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.

In three to five sentences, 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.

(4 points)

The claim presented by the speaker in the argument is that owning a pet, specifically a dog, has many health benefits for both children and adults, including reduced trips to the doctor, combatting loneliness and depression, increased motivation to exercise and socialize. The speaker provides relevant evidence to support the claim, such as the statistic that pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer trips to their doctors than those without pets. Additionally, the speaker provides examples of how owning a pet can reduce loneliness and depression and increase motivation for exercise and socialization. Overall, the speaker provides sufficient evidence to support the claim.