Pets and the Family

Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Pet/Human Bonding: Applications, Conceptual and Research Issues
Pets as Family Members
The Social Meanings of Pets: Alternative Roles for Companion Animals
	Introduction
	Pets as Statements: The Projective Function
	Pets as Social Lubricants: The Sociability Function
	Pets as People: The Surrogate Function
	Conclusions and Implications: The Social Import of Pets
Initiation and Maintenance of the Human-Animal Bond: Familial Roles from a Learning Perspective
	Overview
	Bond Initiation and Maintenance
The Companion Animal in the Context of the Family System
	Relationships Between Companion Animals and Humans
	The Companion Animal in the Family System
	Discussion
Pets and the Socialization of Children
	Introduction
	Companion Animals and Children
	Pet Loss
	Childhood Cruelty to Animals
	Conclusion
The Preadolescent/Pet Bond and Psychosocial Development
	Research on the Human/Animal Bond
	The Role of the Pet During Preadolescence
	A Conceptual Structure
Pets, Early Adolescents, and Families
	Children Caring for Animals
	The Family
	Benefits for Children and Families
	Sample
	Findings
	Summary
	Discussion and Implications
Pets and Family Relationships Among Nursing Home Residents
	Introduction
	Methods, Objectives and Basic Findings
	Pet Visits and Family Issues
	Comparisons and Conclusions
The Death of a Pet: Human Responses to the Breaking of the Bond
	Human-Animal Attachment
	The Breaking of the Bond
	Affective Responses to Pet Death
	Cognitive Responses to Pet Death
	Psychomotor Responses to Pet Death
The Effects on Family Members and Functioning After the Death of a Pet
	Introduction
	Losses Following Pet Death
	Disorganization of Family Functioning
	Need for Counseling
	Conclusion
Health, Aquariums, and the Non-Institutionalized Elderly
	Methods
	Results
	Discussion
Life in the Treehouse: Pet Therapy as Family Metaphor and Self-Dialogue
	Introduction
	The Culture of Pets
	Socialization into Treehouse
	Pet Therapy as Family Metaphor and Self-Dialogue
	Summary
Health Benefits of Pets for Families
	Introduction
	Review of Literature
	Summary
	Implications for Therapists
The Pet in the Military Family at Transfer Time: It Is No Small Matter
	Introduction
	Literature Review
	Conceptual Framework and Hypotheses
	Methods
	Results
	Discussion
A Historical, Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Animal and Human Social Ecosystem
	Mythological Approach to the Ecosystem
	An Archaelogical and Paleontological Approach to the Ecosystem
	Anthropological Approach to the Ecosystem
	Psychotherapeutic Approach to the Ecosystem
	Conclusion