Abstract
Using the ethological-evolutionary framework of attachment, and including how the theory has been updated and expanded by findings from attachment-based research, neuroscience and animal studies, this paper proposes that a relationship with a family pet, especially a dog or cat, reflects certain dynamics of attachment which may account for the sense of comfort and connection they provide to individuals at all stages of the life cycle. There is now convincing scientific evidence that companion animals have positive effects on psychological and physical well-being, helping shape how people regulate their emotions, deal with stress or trauma, and relate to others. Discussion considers the implications of these benefits for social work, in particular for policy, prevention, and psychotherapy. An illustration of treatment for pet loss, as well as a framework for promoting attachment in pets adopted from rescue shelters, is also presented. It is recommended that both social work professionals and social work students be educated about the human-animal bond and the significance of pets to so many of our clients.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amini, F., Lewis, T., & Lannon, R. (1996). Affect, attachment, memory: Contributions toward psychobiologic integration. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and biological processes, 59, 213–239.
Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment assessed in the strange situation and at home. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York: Basic Books.
Bowlby, J. (1973). Attachment and loss. Vol. 2: Separation: Anxiety and anger. New York: Basic Books.
Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss. Vol. 3: Loss: Sadness and depression. New York: Basic Books.
Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base. New York: Basic Books.
Davieds, K. (2005). It’s all in their head. Bark, 30, 46–47.
Doty, M. (2007). Dog years. New York: Harper Collins.
Fairbairn, W. R. D. (1954). An object-relations theory of the personality. New York: Basic Books.
Farnsworth, M. (2004). Going goofy for our pets. San Diego Magazine, 56(9), 60–62.
Fischer-Mamblona, H. (2000). On the evolution of attachment-disordered behavior. Attachment and Human Development, 2, 8–21.
Gay, P. (1988). Freud: A life for our time. New York: Norton.
Holmes, J. (1996). Attachment, intimacy, autonomy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
Holmes, J. (2007). Sex, couples, and attachment. Attachment: New Directions in Psychotherapy and Relational Psychoanalysis, 1, 18–29.
Humane Society of the United States. (2009). Washington, DC.
Jennings, D. (2010). What a difference a dog makes: Big lessons on life, love and healing from a small pooch. New York: Doubleday.
Katz, J. (2003). The new work of dogs. New York: Villard.
Knapp, C. (1998). Pack of two: The intricate bond between people and dogs. New York: The Dial Press.
Koppel, M. S. (2011). Companions in presence: Animal assistants and eldercare. Pastoral Psychology, 60, 107–115.
Lieberman, A. F., & Paul, J. H. (1990). Disorders of attachment and secure base behavior in the second year of life. In M. T. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & E. M. Cummings (Eds.), Attachment in the preschool years (pp. 375–397). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Marris, P. (1958). Widows and their families. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. New York: Guilford.
Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body. New York: W.W. Norton and Co.
Olmert, M. D. (2009). Made for each other: The biology of the human-animal bond. Cambridge: Da Capo Press.
Pace, P. R. (June 2011). Social workers promote human-pet bond. NASW Newsletter, p. 8.
Panksepp, J. (1998). Affective neuroscience: The foundation of human and animal emotions. Oxford: University Press.
Panksepp, J. (2009). Brain emotional systems and qualities of mental life: From animal models of affect to implications for psychotherapeutics. In D. Fosha, D. J. Siegel, & M. F. Solomon (Eds.), The healing power of emotion (pp. 1–26). New York: W.W. Norton.
Panksepp, J. (March 12, 2011). Primary process brain-emotional imbalances in depression: Toward direct affective interventions in psychotherapeutic practice. Los Angeles, CA (Conference, Healing moments in trauma treatment).
Parkes, C. M. (1965). Bereavement and mental illness. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 38, 1–26.
Parkes, C. M. (1969). Separation anxiety: An aspect of the search for a lost object. In M. H. Lader (Ed.), British Journal of Psychiatry Special Publication No. 3: Studies of anxiety (pp. 87–92). London: World Psychiatric Association and the Royal Medico-Psychological Association.
Randour, M. L., Krinsk, S., & Wolf, J. L. (2005). AniCare child manual (a project of the Beyond Violence Program). Washington Grove, MD: Animals and society institute.
Risley-Curtiss, C., Holley, L. C., & Wolf, S. (2006). The animal-human bond and ethnic diversity. Social Work, 51, 257–268.
Sable, P. (1989). Attachment, anxiety, and loss of a husband. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 59, 550–556.
Sable, P. (1991). Attachment, loss of spouse, and grief in elderly adults. Omega, 23, 129–142.
Sable, P. (1992). Attachment, loss of spouse, and disordered mourning. Families in Society, 73, 266–273.
Sable, P. (1995). Pets, attachment and well-being across the life cycle. Social Work, 40, 334–341.
Sable, P. (2000). Attachment and adult psychotherapy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
Sable, P. (2004). Attachment, ethology and adult psychotherapy. Attachment and Human Development, 6, 3–19.
Sable, P. (2005). Using attachment theory to advance the understanding and treatment of childhood animal abuse. In M. L. Randour, S. Krinsky, & J. L. Wolf (Eds.), AniCare child manual (pp. 1–9) (a project of the Beyond Violence Program).
Schore, A. N. (1994). Affect regulation and the origin of the self. Mahweh, NJ: Erlbaum.
Schore, J. R., & Schore, A. N. (2010). Clinical social work and regulation theory: Implications of neurobiological models of attachment. In S. Bennett & J. K. Nelson (Eds.), Adult attachment in clinical social work (pp. 57–75). New York: Springer.
Siegel, J. M. (1990). Stressful life events and use of physician services among the elderly: The moderating role of pet ownership. Journal of Personal and Social Psychology, 6, 1081–1086.
Stern, D. (March 9, 2003). Attachment and intersubjectivity. Los Angeles, CA (Conference, New developments in attachment theory: Application to clinical practice).
Stern, D. (2004). The present moment in psychotherapy and everyday life. New York: W.W. Norton.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
The paper is an expansion of my invited panel presentation at the AAPCSW (American association for psychoanalysis in clinical social work) national conference in Los Angeles, last March, 2011.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sable, P. The Pet Connection: An Attachment Perspective. Clin Soc Work J 41, 93–99 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-012-0405-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-012-0405-2