02.

09 Revise and Reflect Worksheet

In the space below, paste the completed five-paragraph rough draft of your cause-and-effect essay.

Feeling down? Need a friend? Look no further than getting a pet. Owning a pet can greatly reduce stress
and depression because it makes you feel as if you have a true companionship, it makes you feel
loved/appreciated, and it can be an easy way to be able to get extra physical activities involved in your
day. Pets are good when you are experiencing a wide variety of mental or psychological issues.
Even though this sounds like an opinion, in a way, it can be backed up by facts. A study done by American
Psychiatric Association Healthy Minds Monthly Poll titled “Americans’ Pets Offer Mental Health Support
to Their Owners, 1 out of 5 Pet Owners Has an Emotional Support Animal” states that those surveyed
indicated pets provide a calming presence, help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as encourage them to
be more physically active. Pets provide us with unconditional love (mostly) and affection whilst asking for
very little in return. Their presence alone can significantly lower the effects of stress and anxiety, proving
the mental health benefits of having a pet.
Dogs are “man’s best friend” this phrase has been thrown around for decades if not centuries, and for a
good reason too. Dogs are protective towards their owner, loyal, and are able to have an unbreakable
bond with its owner. According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), owning a dog can improve cardiovascular health by encouraging regular exercise, which can lower
blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. The companionship of a dog provides emotional
support, comfort, and a sense of security, especially for those who live alone or are struggling with
depression. This emotional support has been shown to improve overall well-being and make people feel
safer and more secure.
The effect of pets on physical health is very good as well. A study by the National Institute of Health
(NIH) found that pet ownership, especially with dogs, leads to increased physical activity, which is linked
to better mental and physical health. Pets require regular walks, playtime, and exercise, which means
their owners are often more active as well. This increased physical activity can lead to a decrease in
mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and can also improve sleep patterns. Furthermore,
the responsibility of taking care of a pet can provide structure and routine, which helps improve daily
functioning and decreases feelings of loneliness.
Owning a pet can have profound positive effects on both mental and physical health. Pets offer
companionship, reduce stress, and encourage physical activity, which all contribute to a better overall
well-being. For those struggling with mental health issues, pets can be a source of unconditional support
and love. The next time you’re feeling down, consider the positive impact a pet might have on your life.
Whether it’s a dog, cat, or other pet, having an animal by your side could be just what you need to
improve your mood, health, and outlook on life.

Unless Otherwise Noted All Content © 2023 Florida Virtual School. FlexPoint Education Cloud™ is a
trademark of Florida Virtual School.
Part 2: The Final Draft
Revise your rough draft by making improvements to your coherence, style, syntax, spelling,
capitalization, punctuation, and formal language and by incorporating feedback from your instructor.
After making these edits and revisions, paste the final draft of your essay below the Champion's
Checklist.
Paste final draft below:
Feeling down? Need a friend? Consider getting a pet. Owning a pet can significantly reduce stress and
depression by providing companionship, love, and an opportunity for increased physical activity. Pets can
be especially beneficial for individuals facing mental and psychological challenges, offering a source of
emotional support and a positive impact on overall well-being.
Pets play an important role in improving mental health, and their benefits are supported by research. A
study by the American Psychiatric Association, titled “Americans’ Pets Offer Mental Health Support to
Their Owners, 1 out of 5 Pet Owners Has an Emotional Support Animal,” found that pets can help reduce
stress and anxiety. They provide a calming presence and encourage physical activity, all of which
contribute to improved mental health. The unconditional love and affection pets offer help mitigate the
negative effects of stress and anxiety, reinforcing their mental health benefits.
With all pets, dogs are especially known for their emotional support. Known as “man’s best friend,” dogs
form strong, protective bonds with their owners. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), owning a dog can improve cardiovascular health by promoting regular exercise,
which in turn lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease. Dogs offer emotional support,
comfort, and a sense of security, particularly for those who live alone or suffer from depression. This
companionship has been shown to enhance well-being, making people feel safer and more secure.
Pets also have a positive effect on physical health. A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
reveals that pet ownership, especially of dogs, increases physical activity, which leads to improved
physical and mental health. Pet owners engage in more outdoor activities such as walking and playing,
which can reduce anxiety and depression while improving sleep quality. Caring for a pet provides
structure and routine, which can decrease feelings of loneliness and help individuals maintain better
daily functioning.
Owning a pet gives benefits for both mental and physical health. Pets provide companionship, can he;[
reduce stress, and encourage regular physical activity, all of which contribute to improved well-being. For
individuals struggling with mental health challenges, pets can offer unconditional love and support. The
next time you're feeling down, consider how a pet might positively impact your life. Whether it’s a dog,
cat, or another animal, having a pet by your side could enhance your mood, health, and overall outlook
on life.

Part 3: The Works Cited Page

Unless Otherwise Noted All Content © 2023 Florida Virtual School. FlexPoint Education Cloud™ is a
trademark of Florida Virtual School.
Type of paste your completed Works Cited page below.

American Psychiatric Association. "Americans’ Pets Offer Mental Health Support to Their Owners, 1 out
of 5 Pet Owners Has an Emotional Support Animal." Healthy Minds Monthly Poll, 2021,
www.psychiatry.org/news/americans-pets-mental-health-support.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "How Physical Activity Can Improve Heart Health."
CDC, 2019, www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/improve-heart-health.

National Institute of Health (NIH). "The Benefits of Pet Ownership." NIH News, 2020,
www.nih.gov/health/pet-ownership-physical-mental-benefits.

Part 4: Reflection

Answer each of the following questions in 2-3 complete sentences.

● What are three changes you made from your rough to your final draft? What were the effects of
these changes? Specifically reference coherence, style, syntax, or conventions.
I changed the thesis statement to make it more clear. This change allowed the introduction to
make the rest of the essay flow smoothly

● In which areas of your writing were you the most successful? Specifically reference coherence,
style, syntax, or conventions.

Unless Otherwise Noted All Content © 2023 Florida Virtual School. FlexPoint Education Cloud™ is a
trademark of Florida Virtual School.
 I would say I was most successful in coherence because my ideas flowed from one paragraph to
the next, making the essay easy to follow and understand.

● After looking at the areas that needed editing and revising in your rough and final drafts (syntax,
diction, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and formal language), what were your biggest
writing challenges? How will you prepare for these challenges on your next writing assignment?
My biggest challenge was making sure everything went together and there was no run on
sentences. To prepare next time, I will focus on rereading sentences to make sure they don't
sound too redundant.

Unless Otherwise Noted All Content © 2023 Florida Virtual School. FlexPoint Education Cloud™ is a
trademark of Florida Virtual School.