This study explores ethnic variations in animal companion ("pet") attachment among 133 students enrolled in a school of veterinary medicine. The 57 White and 76 African American participants completed surveys that included background information, several questions about their animal companions, and a pet attachment questionnaire (PAQ).White students had signi cantly higher PAQ scores than did African American students (p<.001). White students also had signi cantly more pets (M=4.05 vs. 2.18, p<.001) and more kinds of pets (M=2.30 vs. 1.57, p<.001) and were more likely to allow pets to sleep on their beds (70% vs. 53%, p<.05). Although keeping pets is a universal cultural phenomenon, how that attachment is expressed may vary from culture-to-culture. This study explores possible explanations and implications for these variations.The United States is a culturally diverse country with correspondingly diverse attitudes toward the treatment of animals other than human (Wolch, Brownlow & Lassiter, 2001). However, very little research has been devoted to understanding the variations in attitudes toward animals within its diverse ethnic and racial groups. This is especially true for attitudes Society & Animals 10:3 (2002) © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2002 toward animal companions ("pets") versus wildlife or food animals. If cultural variations in attitudes do exist, they could have far-reaching implications for animal welfare and human health. The purpose of this preliminary study was to begin to understand such differences without drawing any de nitive conclusions. Many factors, social, cultural, and environmental conditions, affect people's attitudes about animals (Lawrence, 1995). Scientists, philosophers, and religious leaders in uence cultural norms regarding treatment of animals (Lawrence). To de ne and measure all the diverse aspects of attitudes toward animals was beyond the scope of this paper. This research measured pet attachment, which is but one, small aspect of attitudes toward animals.There always is the danger that exploring such racial or ethnic "differences"can be used as a basis for discrimination against minority populations (King, 2000). Often, some can misconstrue research exploring "racial differences" and use it to erroneously prove superiority of one race over another (King).She explains that this type of information often burdens rather than helps African Americans. It is important to remember that no ethnic or racial group is a monolith where all individuals think and feel the same way (Gibbs, 1999).For all ethnic populations, variety and diversity are the rule and not the exception (Gibbs). If, as the ever-increasing body of literature suggests, it is true that relationships with animal companions have health-enhancing effects and if cultures relate differently to companion animals, then it is essential that health-care providers and educators understand the differences among cultures that either enhance or inhibit such effects. Research StudiesDuring the 1970s, Kellert did some of the rs...

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and define self psychology and its concepts (self and selfobject) so that they can be applied toward a new understanding of the human-nonhuman animal bond. The paper utilizes selected literature from both self psychology and the human-animal bond fields. The paper contains four primary conclusions: 1. Self psychology provides a unique model for understanding the depth and meaning of human-animal relationships; 2. Companion animals and humans can be equally important in their selfobject roles; 3. Self psychology can offer a model for understanding individual differences in attachment to companion animals; and 4. A future direction includes finding ways to assess self psychology constructs in order to measure the depth and function of the selfobject relationship.

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This study replicated the co-existence of dissociation and pet attachment in 113 female veterinary technician students based on a bivariate correlation analysis and chi-square analysis of their responses to the 28-question Dissociative Experiences Scale and an eight-question "pet" attachment questionnaire.The study replicated the positive correlation between pet attachment and dissociation first reported by Brown & Katcher (1997). Also replicated was the finding that significantly more with the highest pet attachment had clinical levels of dissociation than did those with lower attachment. Results compared to a meta-analytic study found their level of dissociation to be higher than participants in non-animalrelated categories.This study suggests that dissociation may characterize one subset of people highly attached to pets and discusses implications for companion animal research and individuals in animal-related careers.One purpose of this study was to replicate previous findings by Brown and Katcher (1997) that showed a positive correlation between companion animal or "pet" attachment and dissociation in a sample of participants that included 73 veterinary technician students and 232 college students. The current sample of participants consisted of 113 veterinary technician students. The second purpose of this study was to

This study explores ethnic variations in animal companion ("pet") attachment among 133 students in a school of veterinary medicine. The 57 White and 76 African American participants completed surveys that included background information, questions about their pets, and a pet attachment questionnaire (PAQ).More White students owned pets than did African American students (100% vs. 86%, p < .05). White students also had signi cantly more pets (M = 4.05 vs.2.18, p < .001) and more kinds of pets (M = 2.30 vs.