9．
Does a Dog Help a Teen with Low Self-esteem？
A dog is known as man's best friend for good reason．Loyal and affectionate，a dog companion can enrich its owner's life in many ways，（71）E Many teenagers suffer from periods of low self-esteem （自尊）as they try to navigate the wavy waters of adolescence and deal with all of its associated highs and lows．
A teenager who lacks self-esteem may feel isolated from his peers and unable to tell his parents about personal issues．The company of a dog can be a huge comfort and ease feelings of loneliness and awkwardness．A dog offers genuine unconditional love．（72）B
All dogs need exercise，so taking his clog for a walk is the perfect opportunity for a teenager to get outdoors and benefit from fresh air and physical activity．Exercise allows people to take control of their bodies，which is often the first step toward regaining control of other aspects of their life，says mental health specialist Dr．Alan Cohen．（73）G Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins （內排肽）into the brain？which create positive responses in the body，including improved selfesteem．
Dogs can help teenagers be more sociable and make new friends，suggests HELPGUIDE．（74）F A dog is a great ice-breaker，avoiding awkward social situations and putting the teenager at ease with people he meets．The more confident the teen becomes when out and about with his clog，the more his self-esteem will improve．
（75）A If a teenager is suffering from depression or developing dangerous habits such as alcohol and drug abuse，more extreme action may be required．In these cases，professional help should be sought and all treatment plans considered．Parents who suspect that their teen's low selfesteem is a sign of a far more serious problem should ask a suitably qualified health professional for advice．
A．In some cases，having a dog will not help with a teenager's low self-esteem．
B．It simply accepts its owner for who he is and doesn't judge，question or criticize．
C．Pets offer an unconditional love that can be very helpful to people with depression．
D．You don't have to worry about hurting your pet's feelings or getting advice you don't want．
E．In particular，someone with low self-esteem may find a pet dog to be extremely beneficial．
F．A teen may meet his peers while walking his dog in the park or taking part in a dog training class．
G．Many forms of exercise besides walking can be enjoyed with a dog，such as cycling，jogging and throwing a ball．
