A Qualitative Study of the Reasons for Employees' Attachment to Pets
The intense and stressful pace of business life has often made individuals lonely by distancing them from other individuals, and they have started to turn to objects that can provide support outside of friend groups. Taking up a hobby, focusing on sports activities, getting rid of the stressful atmosphere of business life by owning a pet, or providing support for their loneliness have become the main goals of individuals. For this reason, as a fact of life, the relations between humans and animals have gained different dimensions until today. Animals have always had and continue t o have a place in people's lives, especially as an entity that people feel close to and find support. Starting with the domestication of dogs, the relations between domestic animals and humans have assumed different tasks every day in line with the purposes and needs of individuals. In this connection, pets, which have managed to gain important places in the lives of individuals, have started to positively affect the lives of their owners in many ways. Especially for pet owners such as cats and dogs, factors such as engaging in activities together, feeding, playing games, meeting their needs, and walking them have made pets more physically involved in the lives of individuals (Pamuk 2015).
In addition, as a result of the studies conducted especially in animal-assisted treatments, it has been revealed that animals have a positive effect on individuals and provide relaxing and supportive results (Cevizci et al. 2009). P e t s a l s o h a v e a supportive effect on child development. The fact that children are in contact with pets socializes them, elements that can cause trauma for children such as birth and death can be overcome with animals, and awareness such as the awareness that the pet should be fed and walked can affect the development of children's sense of responsibility (Ateş 2005). Over time, emotional relationships have emerged between people and pets, which have some effect on people of all ages, young and old. Schaffer (2009) named this emotional relationship as attachment and stated that the feelings such as trust, peace, and love it provides to people are psychologically good for their owners (Karameşe 2014).
It is clear that pets have a positive impact on individuals' lives, both psychologically and physically. For this reason, many people may have pets. Considering that there are many different reasons for pet ownership, the fact that there are not many studies in the literature on the reasons for the attachment process to pets constitutes the content and importance of this study.
1. The Concept of Attachment and Attachment in Individuals
Attachment is a phenomenon that enables the individual to establish a relationship with other people starting from infancy and continuing afterwards (Hamilton 2000). Attachment, which started with the infancy period of the individual, has become a concept that has been examined in adults over time and has also addressed employees in the process. While it deals with the mother in particular for the infancy period, in the adult period, family, friends, environment and sometimes the organization for employees have been chosen as the target point as 'attachment'. As can be understood from this, attachment is analyzed in three periods: infancy, adolescence and adulthood. Attachment in infancy is analyzed in stages. Attachment, which emerges with the birth of the baby, emerges with instinctive reactions (breast seeking, turning the head, sucking, swallowing, finger sucking, grabbing, turning towards the mother) and by the eighth week, the baby begins to communicate with the caregiver. By the seventh month, babies try to make sense of their relationship with their environment and begin to restrict themselves over time, that is, by the seventh month, the baby begins to direct its attention to the individual who meets all its needs, whereas before seven months it was not very important.
Begins (Soysal et al. 2005). Attachment takes place at this time, generally between the sixth and twenty-fourth months. After this period, the infant enters into a complex relationship structure with his/her primary caregiver and other individuals (Kaplan et al. 1994). The impact and intensity of attachment is mutually dependent on the quality of need fulfillment on both sides. This may change in adolescence because attachment to parents may weaken during adolescence. The reason for this is that adolescents see the bond with their parents as a limiting bond rather than a secure bond. At this time, adolescents want to establish their independence and get the attention and support they need from their parents. However, romantic ties, which emerge as a new bond in this period, may be an indicator of future attachment to their children and spouses (Kesebir et al. 2011). Attachment is not only a process that starts with the birth of the baby and covers a period of approximately twenty-four months, but also a lifelong situation. Attachment that begins in infancy forms the basis of attachment that continues in adulthood. Here, unlike infancy, the adult individual is both care receiver and care giver in attachment (Akdağ 2011). However, studies on adult attachment have focused on understanding the contents of mental models associated with attachment style (Weger & Polcar 2000). Based on this, Bartholomew and Horowitz (1991) developed a quadruple attachment model for adults. This model includes secure, obsessive, fearful and indifferent attachment. Secure attachment combines the feeling of being important and lovable with the responsiveness of other people.
People with secure attachment have positive thoughts both for themselves and for other individuals. In addition, they are at peace with existing problems, and they are not hesitant to ask for help with these problems and are comfortable in expressing their feelings (Kesebir et al. 2011). In addition to all these, they have confidence in themselves and their abilities to overcome situations that pose a threat to them. Instead of running away from problems, they produce solutions for them and when they are angry, they are aware of their psychological state and prefer to solve their problems in a controlled and non-hostile manner at such times. As a result, people with secure attachment have positive thoughts and attitudes towards their environment and themselves (Belsky 2002). In the case of obsessive attachment, the person's self-confidence is low, but his/her trust in others is high. Individuals experiencing this attachment see others as supportive but lack the ability to benefit from this support. However, it is seen that people with obsessive attachment are very cautious towards the attachment figure (Erözkan 2004). In the fearful attachment model, the person feels worthless and does not consider himself/herself worthy of being loved. This situation is associated with the individual's rejection of others (Kesebir et al. 2011). Therefore, fearful attachment is expressed as negative self and negative others. In addition, people with fearful and obsessive attachment tend to blame their spouses for not being close. By experiencing constant emotional changes, they may often have no idea what their partner wants from them.
People with indifferent attachment, on the other hand, have a positive self and negative others. Therefore, they have feelings of avoidance or fear. Because of negative expectations, they are afraid of establishing intimacy with others and therefore prefer to hold back. They turn this situation into a defense mechanism by emphasizing the importance of being independent (Kuyumcu 2011). Therefore, attachment is a process that starts from infancy and continues continuously by changing over time. According to the literature, people's lives It is seen that individuals are constantly attached to someone or something throughout their
lives, and therefore, the more secure attachment individuals can achieve, the more healthy
relationships they can establish and the happier they can be in their professional, social and
family lives.
2. Attachment to Pets
Animals have been present in people's lives since the earliest times of civilization and have
appeared many times as domestic animals as well as figures representing religion (Erkmen &
Şahin 2016). Therefore, the main tool that determines the relationship between humans and
animals has been the needs and beliefs of individuals. Animals have sometimes been our friends
that we take care of in our homes and gardens, and sometimes our friends with whom we share
our loneliness. In this regard, Ainsworth (1985) introduced the concept of "affection bonds".
This concept refers not only to attachment to the mother but also to attachment to pets
(Kirkpatrick & Koç 2006). In addition, Voith (1985), who stated that the feelings that develop
between humans and pets are a n attachment, mentioned that pet owners long for their pets and
pets long for their owners (Angle 1994). Therefore, Winefield (2012) emphasized that the
interaction between humans and animals is an element that cannot be ignored and that the
concept of attachment is important in this interaction. Schaffer (2009) also named this
interaction and emotional relationship between animals and humans as attachment. In addition,
Kurdek (2008) concluded that for individuals who are attached to their dogs, attachment to the
dog is equivalent to attachment to the family.
In addition, in the same study, it was emphasized
that the attachment levels of individuals who take care of their dogs and spend time with them
are also high (Karameşe 2014). According to the result of the research conducted by Koyun
(2016), it was revealed that the attachment levels of individuals whose pets live at home are
higher. In addition to all these, how strong the bond between animals and humans is was shown
in a survey study conducted in Ontario with 14 veterinarians and 117 patients. In the study, the
effects and causes of grief were examined by reaching out to people whose animals had died,
and it was found that 30% of the respondents experienced deep sadness. In addition, studies on
the development of children have shown that animals have positive effects on cognitive
development, language development, social emotional development and finally motor
development (Ateş 2005).
The contributions of domestic animals are of great importance not
only in children but also in elderly individuals (Pamuk 2015). In the study conducted on this
subject, it was concluded that especially in elderly individuals with little human support, as a
result of being dependent on pets, elderly individuals have less depression and are also
physically better (Garrity et al. 1989). Schvaneveldt et al. (2001) concluded in their study that
pets make their lives easier by accompanying their owners, help people with disabilities and
help their treatment in this process.
In addition, looking at the descriptive variables of attachment, Marks et al. (1994) suggested
that there is no difference between pet attachment and gender, while Johnson et al. (1992) stated
that women are more attached to pets than men (Karameşe 2014). In another study conducted on
white-collar workers in Turkey, it was explained that pet ownership had positive effects on
health life behaviors such as nutrition, regular exercise and not smoking according to the
changes reported in the behaviors and attitudes of the participants (Babaoğlu et al. 2012). In the
attachment dimension, Chone (2002) concluded that neither living with a spouse nor having
children affected the strength of individuals' relationships with their pets. Albert and Bulcroft
(1988) found that pets are seen as an important family member by individuals living in the city,
however, the roles played by pets do not affect the strength of the relationship with pets social structure because attachment to pets is highest among never-married, divorced, widowed
and remarried people, childless couples, and newlyweds.
They emphasized that never-married,
divorced and remarried individuals and individuals without children tend to anthropomorphize
their pets.
Friedmann and Thomas (2008) stated that pets take on various health promotion roles,
which are particularly important for people who cannot get support from family members or
close friends, and that animals facilitate social interaction and reduce stress. Mary et al. (2010)
emphasized in their research that the heart rate and mood scores of children in the pet therapy
group had a positive effect and offered an additional supportive activity for hospitalized
children. Hall et al. (2017) emphasized in their research that by promoting work-based health
innovations and raising business awareness about improving employees' feelings of support, it is
necessary to allow dogs in the workplace, for example by launching activities such as "your
dog's work day initiative". Dr. Boris Levinson emphasized that animals improve people's quality
of life, bring people closer to nature and provide companionship (Hummer 1975).
The reasons for adopting animals were found to be; firstly, love of animals, secondly,
because their children wanted them, thirdly, because they were given as gifts, fourthly, because
they were far away from their relatives, and lastly, because of the loss of a loved one
(Arslantürk & Ambaroğlu 2007). However, according to Rollin (2006), in today's conditions,
the fact that family structures have started to form a smaller structure, as well as the
proliferation of situations such as death and divorce, which affect people psychologically
negatively, and the fact that people feel safer by adopting an animal by eliminating their
loneliness can be a factor in people's adoption of animals (Özkul et al. 2013). Although Kwong
(2008) does not consider the emotional relationship that starts with this adoption process and
increases over time as attachment, he stated that attachment can be towards all living things and
that there can be attachment between humans and animals over time. It is clear that there is an
emotional relationship between individuals and animals.
Especially when animals such as cats
and dogs show characteristics similar to human beings (feeding, teething, fever, menstrual
period in female animals, learning, s h o w i n g emotions) during their care and growth, it can be
effective in making people feel close to them. The aforementioned closeness may lead to an
integration over time and the inability to give up on each other or to see them as a member of
the family may be a result of attachment. However, getting to the root cause of this attachment
is of great importance in terms of getting to know oneself individually, seeing one's
shortcomings and questioning oneself.
Hirschman (1994) explained the reasons for pet ownership as follows;
✓ People see pets as family members
✓ Some people see animals as functional (search and rescue, etc.)
✓ Some see pets as a status or aesthetic value
✓ Individuals think that pet ownership is an extension of themselves
✓Others want to show and display the pet.
Holbrook et al. (2001) describe the benefits of pet ownership for individuals;
✓ Common sense against nature
✓ Being childlike and staying playful
✓ Creating a sense of family
✓ Build better relationships with other people Being self-sacrificing
✓ He expressed it as being inspired.
In line with the explanations made, it is clear that animals provide many benefits to humans.
Therefore, people may adopt pets either because of these benefits or to fill any emptiness they
feel inside. After this step, the process of attachment emerges over time. In this process,
reactions such as personifying the pet, rejoicing when they see it or feeling sad when they leave
it emerge. From the studies conducted, it can be seen the importance of pets for people, their
benefits, why they are owned, and the positive effects they have on children, the elderly and
employees. However, there have not been sufficient explanations on why individuals become
attached to pets. Therefore, the aim of this study is to try to find an answer to the question of
why working individuals become attached to pets by revealing the reason for this attachment.
3. Method
In the study, qualitative research method was applied by using an interview form as a data
collection tool, and the study was interpreted with descriptive analysis technique. In the study, it
was thought that the most appropriate method for determining the reasons for the attachment of
working individuals to pets would be the interview technique. In the interview-oriented
qualitative study, for the reliability of the study, the following points were taken into
consideration in line with the interviews with veterinarians and pet owners who came to the
veterinarian;
✓ Participants were included in the study voluntarily.
✓ Interviews were conducted at a time and place of the participants' choice.
✓ The answers were listened to objectively, taking care to ensure that the prepared
questions were non-leading and ethical.
3.1. Working Group
The study group of the research consists of three veterinarians with pets in Isparta/Central
Isparta and pet owners who come to the selected veterinarians. The ages of the participants
ranged between 24 and 49, 3 of them were female and 3 of them were male. The participants
were included in the process by purposive sampling method, the research was based on
volunteerism and voice recordings were taken within the knowledge of the participants.
3.2. Development of the Data Collection Tool
The research data were collected using a semi-structured interview form. In this form, which is
used in qualitative research, questions are not prepared in advance and participants are not asked
to give an answer among the options. In addition, in the semi-structured interview, although the
researcher prepares the questions in line with the scope planned and in accordance with the
purpose of the subject, these questions can be changed or new ones can be added during the
interview process (Güler et al. 2015).
In the interview form prepared in this direction; there are 3 open-ended questions about the
demographic characteristics of the participants and 7 open-ended questions about the reasons for
attachment to pets. In addition to the questions, extra questions were asked to the participants in
accordance with the form of the interview and the research topic. The questions in the interview
form were prepared within the framework of the opinions of 3 psychologists and 1
psychological guidance counseling expert in order to avoid being directive, to ensure ethical
elements and to be objective at the same time.
3.3. Data Collection
The data obtained in the study were collected with the 'purposive sampling' technique.
Purposive sampling is the selection of participants or subjects that the researcher thinks will be
suitable for the research with his/her own observations (Gürbüz & Şahin 2016). In this direction,
data were collected by conducting one-on-one interviews with three veterinarians who own pets
in Isparta/Central Isparta and three pet owners who come to these veterinarians. Before the
interviews were conducted, the participants were informed that they would be audio recorded
and their identities would be kept confidential, and the interviews lasted 35-45 minutes.
3.4. Data Analysis
The data were transferred to the computer environment and analyzed with descriptive analysis
technique. With the descriptive analysis technique, it was aimed to understand the current
reasons by interpreting the answers they gave in order to understand the feelings and thoughts of
people about the reasons for attachment to pets and to address them from a broad perspective.
3.5. Findings and Interpretation
The research findings are categorized under six headings within the framework of the responses
received from the participants. Pet attachment; reasons related to interpersonal relationships,
reasons related to emotions, reasons related to family factor, reasons related to sociality and
finally professional reasons.
The research was conducted with three veterinarians with pets in Isparta/Central Isparta and
three pet owners who prefer these veterinarians for their pets and at the same time actively
practice their profession.
3.5.1. Reasons for Interpersonal Relationships in Pet Attachment
The participants in the study stated that as a result of their interpersonal relationships, people
exhibit a selfish, manipulative and self-interested attitude, that there is a struggle for superiority
between people because individuality is at the forefront in humans, but that their pets do not
behave in this way, and that the absence of such a struggle is a reason for people to be happier
and more attached to them, since humans are the superior party between humans and animals.
"human beings want people to be dependent on them all the time. Because people's egos
and it makes him happy to satisfy them, and sometimes it gets to the point
It turns into violence and even rape....
"he has no tolerance for anyone other than himself and sometimes even for himself". (P1,29)
''I don't know why, when I see people a lot, I get bored, bored, argue.
People break hearts but (K) is not like that. I am the boss in my relationship with (K).
People are proud and arrogant, actually, let me put it this way, we are the ones holding the tail up, they are the ones it's not. Because people have a sense of "me" and an effort to be right. And not only that.
not people leave for good or bad reasons, but (K) is always with me, always
with me..... Also, the thing I noticed the most after I got a dog is that the male
a dog can't mate with a female dog unless she wants to, but today you see
News of rape is everywhere. Even a dog knows when a female doesn't want it.
It's brutal that people can't understand. (P2,30)
''....humans are manipulative. But animals have only one emotion and that is love. Humans always has a question mark in his mind for other people, and that's what makes relationships It wears them out. But there is always 100% trust in animals (P3,28)
''....(L) may not have a mouth, but still, communicating with him is a way of communicating with people.
than to set it up, and it feels better to me. .......(L) is more patient than people,
more altruistic, more giving, more helpful, so animals are always a plus.
(K4,49)
"people have become so selfish over time that they're not only selfish towards each other They try to impose this selfishness even towards animals. One day a cat owner he came, he was a vegetarian, so he made his cat a vegetarian, so the animal he is fighting a lot of illnesses because it is against his nature. This person I understand that he's a vegetarian, but because he is one, he wants his animal to be one too.
I don't think it's animal love, I think it's selfishness. And nowadays
people have no tolerance. The food you put in front of your house or on a summer day Even the water they put out for animals to drink disturbs people. This world Unfortunately, we have an ego that thinks we only belong to ourselves (P5,36)
''.... People are selfish. Sometimes there comes a moment when they don't even want to give you five minutes of their time. it's hard. It's so hard to help people, to give time to people.
It shouldn't even come to my mind, let me tell you a story: one day a girl my friend came to stay with me, and I had a motorized aquarium at the time.
and it's making a rattling sound. He's disturbed by this noise, so he unplugs the aquarium at night. and the result is clear. For one night, not for me, but for them. and express his discomfort and find a solution. We should be able
because this fondness prevents us from even seeing all the possible consequences we are selfish. (P6,29)
3.5.2. Emotion-related reasons for attachment to pets
In the reasons related to emotions, it was observed that the participants especially mentioned 'loneliness'.
and stated that they experienced feelings of loneliness due to both living conditions and individuals not understanding each other. They also stated that the participants were not naive enough about other individuals.
Another noteworthy point is the statement that they do not have emotions and are not innocent.
has been.
''..... Life anxiety, overconsumption, economic reasons, social commitment
people are becoming increasingly depressed and lonely. Depression is one of the most
the big cure for cats and dogs. The sound of Sam's purring is soothing.
.......People can't express themselves anymore, we want a voice, we want trust, yes they are can't do anything for daily routines, can't go and pay a phone bill, but they understand us emotionally'' (P1,29).
''(K) is my biggest friend and confidant. He is my partner in my loneliness. He is my takes away my sadness. People are tired and don't understand each other, but they advise they can't give, but they understand and mend your feelings. Sometimes I want attention, sometimes I want to commiserate or share my happiness, but people don't always does not take the time, but animals are always ready for anything..... Humans not thoughtful, but animals are pure, innocent, self-sacrificing and compassionate.... to tell you that I was actually afraid of dogs, I would even change my path, but I overcame my fears thanks to the pliers. (P2,30)
''(I) am not alone with him. He is my companion. I'm really mutually
We're very happy....... They have pure emotion and people need this pure emotion.
The feeling of sacrifice, the feeling of goodness, they have these much more than people. (K3,28)
''... I needed a warm embrace. I wanted to hug someone whenever I wanted.
I wanted someone to connect with me completely, without hurting me, without breaking me, without arguing. I wanted someone who understood me, I wanted refuge and that was (L). (P4,49)'...obviously (K) came at a time when I was emotionally distressed.
It was a time when I was heartbroken and he really opened up the wounds
he cured me. Whatever feelings I had lost or thought I would lose.
and I've been able to regain it with him. I've already learned about the therapeutic side of pets from science. that he proved it. It is most accurate to say that hugging him closed the gap in me. (K5,36)
''... we were in a difficult period and he was the only one by my side. I took him as my only comrade. I must have seen that I was sleeping at night, but I was sleeping very uncomfortably. And then and I'd jump up and wake up, like a test. Is he alive? Is he breathing? Is he breathing?
I did it every night for about a year. Not mom, not dad, not brother.
not grandpa, not grandpa, I was just jumping saying (S) and when I saw that he was alive, I said, 'Oh God. and I'd say, "Thank God," and I'd go back to bed, and that's when I got a good night's sleep. I was sleeping. That was loneliness, a great loneliness. (P6,29)
3.5.3. Family Factor Related Causes
When the reasons related to the family factor are analyzed, the most important reason is that the
participants were raised with a love for animals from an early age. However, it was revealed that
e v e n t h o u g h the participants' families raised their children with a love for animals, they
were opposed to keeping them at home. In response to this reaction of the families, the
participants embraced their pets more and also became more attached to their pets over time by
changing the judgments of the families and feeling that 'we succeeded together' with their pets.
''I am a village child. Although my childhood was spent among animals, my family
was very against keeping them at home. One day, I was on my way to a very
important class when I saw (S) injured. It was not possible for me to love animals,
study veterinary medicine and leave him like that, and since I now live
independently from my family, I did not see any harm in taking him in. When they
found out, I received a lot of criticism, "there is no animal at home, he has hair
and feathers", but then they embraced it. Now I am they are as curious and care. Otherwise, upsetting my family would leave me in a
dilemma and sometimes this would be reflected in my behavior towards Sam.
(P1,29)
''Although my family grew up loving animals, they were very much against a dog in
the house. Especially my mother. Because of this attitude, maybe there was a
reaction against them. When I went to university and stood on my own feet and
became independent, I decided to get Pliers. Even though my mother is still against
it, my bond with my brother has increased. It makes you very happy when others
give you time for something that belongs to you. Also, my family is not as
prejudiced as they used to be and I think the fact that they respect your decisions
makes your relationships healthier. (P2,30)
"I have always grown up with an animal since I was little. I had a rabbit, a cat, a
dog. I was very sad when my first dog died, but then my father bought a new one
and my family always raised me with a love for animals. Some families threaten
their children when they do not behave well by saying 'I will tell the cat to scratch
you', 'I will tell the dog to bite you' and this causes children to grow up with a fear
and judgment against animals. This is very wrong. (P3, 28)
'
'.... I have never had any problems with any animal in my life from my family. But I
had a lot of trouble from the environment. However, after I became (L), both my
family and myself became more understanding. We have a more organized life
now. (P4, 49)
''....We used to go to the village in the summers and I grew up with every kind of
animal imaginable there, but of course my family was very meticulous about
keeping them at home, they would never allow it. When I studied veterinary
medicine, I convinced them 'mom, look, I am studying in this department', 'dad,
look, it is important for me to get to know them in order to become a veterinarian'.
As time passed, they decided to adopt them more than me and decided that it was
not what they thought. Of course, my mother is still very meticulous and I clean the
house every day so that she is not disturbed. But at least they don't think like they
used to, and that is enough for me.
(P5,36)
'My father always came home with a dog when I was little, but then they always
went back for some reason. Each time I was very sad and cried a lot. Moreover, the
dog bit me when I was little, maybe I should have been scared but I was never
affected. Maybe it was because my father behaved like that. But every time the dog
I got used to went back, it left me with a bad feeling. Of course, not only that, one
day I woke up one day and there was a letter on my head, my mother had left us, I
searched for her, I found her, I brought her back, it didn't take long, a week or so,
and this time my father left. I thought he had gone to relax, but it turned out that he
was never coming back, I found out from someone else, we didn't see each other for
six months, and then six months later he showed up. But (S) never left, he is always
with me'' (P6,29).
3.5.4. Reasons Related to Social Life
The most important reason for pet owners' attachment to their pets related to social life is that
they get to know many new people after having a pet. Participants emphasized that they became
more sociable, communicated better and understood people better after owning a pet.
'....having a pet improves dialogues. You socialize. For example, I communicate
better with people who have pets, we have conversations with them about the
animals we feed, such as 'mine doesn't eat this time, mine is very grumpy'. I
understand them better and give advice to those who don't have pets. Having a pet
does not alienate you from society and motivates you. (P1,29)
'(K) has needs and I have to go out twice a day to meet them. If it wasn't for him, I
could live for a week without leaving the house, but then being at home all the time,
shutting yourself in four walls, can ruin your psychology. I meet other pet owners
and even make friends with some of them. We meet to spend time with our dogs and
spend time while they play. Sometimes they come to me to pet my dog and many of
my friends have overcome their fear thanks to (K). (P2,30)
'pet owners are social. You get to know people better. If you normally know five
people, when you have a pet, maybe you know five more people thanks to it. In this
case, pets have an indirect effect on getting to know people. (P3,29)
'I can say that there has been a serious increase in my social life, especially in my
circle of friends. After people got to know my animal, they overcame their fears
and judgments, maybe because of its breed. People's perspective has changed. For
me, having a pet means winning many people. Together with (L), we have broken
many taboos, we have influenced many people and now there are more animal
lovers around us, so I am very happy. However, I should add that in some cases I
have to ask the question 'are you an animal lover?' I have to introduce my animal
and convince people and of course my preferences can change inevitably. My
relations with those who accept and reject my animal can change dimensions. (P4,
49)
'
....As you start to decode someone who is not talking, you start to understand those
who are talking better, which has a positive effect on your human relationships.
You get to know more people and start to build healthier relationships with the
people you already know. Of course, no matter how much you talk, there are still
people who don't understand you, but other than that, animals bring many people
and many things about nature with them. Your gains increase. And when this
happens, you realize that you are more attached because there is a gratitude inside
you that grows day by day. (P5,36)
'Honestly, thanks to (S), I have met many people. Even in a city I did not know
anyone, I made new acquaintances thanks to him. I went to their houses and drank
their tea and coffee. Some of them entrusted me with their animals that they
considered as their children because of my behavior towards (S). One day someone
wrote on social media that they were looking for someone who could take care of
their dog for three days, and I said I would. I did. However, it has been three days,
five days, ten days, fifteen days, no one has come and gone. They don't call, I call,
they don't answer. A boy gave it as a gift to his girlfriend and when they broke up,
she returned the dog. They're not a gift not a toy. Sometimes, unfortunately, there are such people. But all that aside, being
together with real animal lovers is sometimes like finding people in a foreign
country with whom you speak the same language." (P6,29)
3.5.5. Reasons Related to Occupational Factors
...... It is misleading to say that you know. In other words, you should not think that
I grew up with animals and therefore I am better. Thinking like this can lead to
mistakes and you may experience a lack of self-confidence as a result of a possible
mistake you will make. Apart from that, the fact that an animal dies at my hands
makes me very sad. Of course, it also changes the attitude towards (S) and other
sick animals. When you see dying animals, you are more attentive to your pet
waiting for you at home, or to other sick animals, 'I wonder if the animal owners
gave the medicines I told them on time? Do they apply what I say regularly?'
(P1,29)
'(Thanks to K), I always start the day positively. You may have had a bad night, you
may have had a nightmare or you may have been uncomfortable the day before, but
when you wake up in the morning, there is someone who greets you with a smile
and takes away your negative energy, so you start the day 1-0 ahead. This in turn
positively affects your work performance, plus when you finally finish work and
come home, you open the door and someone greets you with extreme joy, which
makes your day end well. It actually takes away all the tiredness of that day.
Naturally, it takes away some of the workload you carry in the spiritual dimension.
It is actually a very nice thing when someone greets you with joy and excitement.
As long as these situations continue in this way, your success at work will increase
and your commitment to work will also increase. (P2,30)
' The most important thing that Çiko added to me before I started my business life
was discipline, and I see the benefit of that discipline in my business life now. I
have been in touch with animals since I was a little girl, and now having Çiko has
made me more in tune with my business life and made my job easier'. (P3,28)
'(L) helps me start life earlier and more positively. I go for a walk together in the
morning and then go to work, taking oxygen together and starting the day
energized gives me morale and motivation. Therefore, this positive state of mine
reflects on my work and makes it easier for me to communicate with my students
and fellow educators. Moreover, my students and parents who come to my home
are also positively affected by (L). (P4,49)
'Before I became a good veterinarian, I wanted to be someone who understands
animals well. (K) taught me the language of animals, which naturally reflected
positively on my work, plus I am constantly in touch with animals, and it is a great
feeling to bring a new animal into the world or to save a life. However, compared
to other professions, I honestly feel more I feel lucky because animals give people a positive energy and even if you are
angry with the owner, at least when you touch the animal, positive emotions are
recharged in your body. This is probably the best part of our job.
Reasons Related to Personal Inferences
Finally, the reasons for attachment to pets were related to personal implications. When we look
at the statements of the participants, the statements about themselves after having a pet, starting
to understand other individuals better, communicating better, especially self-confidence and
starting to live a planned life revealed that it was an important factor in their attachment to their
pets.
'...my self-confidence increased. ....My sense of responsibility has increased. ...You
start doing things you didn't do before, for example you make your bed.... I
understand people better. (P1,29)
'...I'm not as nervous as I used to be, I've started to understand people better and
I'm more compassionate now. I try to respond to people's requests more, I take
care not to break hearts and you know that every animal has an average lifespan,
say ten to fifteen years. This reminds you of death and you approach people with
that in mind. For example, I call my family more, or I don't know, I value people
more. (P2,30)
'.... I started to listen to people more.... It affects my decisions, at least I have the
confidence that someone is behind me.... It increases self-confidence. (P3,28)
'...... I am now more planned, programmed, more careful. I am fitter and healthier.
I have become someone who thinks about my future goals in advance. I was a
woman who was obsessed with order and had a rigid structure, but after (L) I
became more tolerant and forgiving. My temper has softened and I have become
calmer. (P4,49)
'..... K taught me that what matters in life is not just one thing or one person.
Therefore, I am not as negative or pessimistic as I used to be. Most importantly, as
I started to get to know animals, my confidence in both human and professional
terms increased (P5,36).
'.... I have a motherly nature now. As I said before, there came a time when my
family left, but I didn't abandon (S) no matter what. He is my responsibility. I am
cooler now because when something happens to him, I have to keep my calm. I
started to be more careful when trying to protect him from other animals, people,
cars. (P6,29)
Based on the findings of the study, a negative factor in attachment to pets is that working
individuals feel lonely and find people manipulative and selfish, while a positive factor is the
positive changes they observe in themselves. Especially in today's conditions, the fact that the
understanding of communication has gained a different dimension and that working individuals
cannot spare time for themselves and their environment due to reasons such as the struggle for
life has become the biggest reason underlying loneliness. Based on this, individuals can find in
their pets many situations that they cannot see in other individuals and that appeal to emotions,
such as the elimination of loneliness, the desire for refuge, the desire to be able to reach
whenever they want, to be able to pour out their heart without being subjected to judgment or
questioning. In the process that begins with this search, people can become attached to their pets
with whom they share a lot, trust and learn new things.
Conclusion
Although the concept of attachment is seen as a relationship between humans, it is a strong
relationship that can take place not only between humans but also between humans and animals,
animals and animals. The fact that pets have entered every aspect of individuals' lives has
strengthened the bond between individuals and pets and started to make many contributions to
individuals' lives. Pets can also positively affect the work lives of working individuals. This
study aims to reveal these contributions and the reasons for the attachment of working
individuals to pets based on these contributions. In the study, it was revealed that individuals
attach to pets for reasons related to interpersonal relationships, reasons related to family factor,
reasons related to sociality, professional reasons and reasons related to emotions.
The participants in the study stated that as a result of their interpersonal relationships, people
exhibit a selfish, manipulative and self-interested attitude, that there is a struggle for superiority
between people because individuality is at the forefront in humans, but their pets do not behave
in this way, and that the absence of such a struggle makes people happier and causes them to be
more attached to them, since humans are the superior party between humans and animals.
Depending on the family factor, one of the most important reasons is that the participants
were raised with the love of animals from a young age. However, it was observed that although
the families of the participants raised their children with a love for animals, they were against
keeping pets at home, but in response to this reaction of the families, the participants became
more attached to their pets. It was observed that the judgments of the families changed over
time, and as a result, the participants felt that 'we succeeded together' with their pets and became
more attached to their pets.
As reasons related to social life, pet owners emphasized that they
met many new people after having a pet and that they became more sociable, communicated
better and understood people better after having a pet. Reasons related to occupational factors
were that individuals started the day positively and this positivity had a positive effect on their
attitudes towards work life and colleagues. In addition, it was seen that h a v i n g a pet is very
important for veterinarians in adapting to their jobs. When the statements regarding the reasons
related to personal implications were examined, it was seen that after having a pet, individuals
started to understand other individuals better, communicated more, especially the statements
about self-confidence and starting to live in a planned way were important factors in their
attachment to their pets. In the reasons related to emotions, the individuals especially mentioned
'loneliness' and stated that they experienced the feeling of loneliness due to both living
conditions and individuals not understanding each other.
In line with the study, it was observed that one of the most important reasons for getting a
pet and getting attached to it is the feeling of loneliness. It has been revealed that the lack of
mutual understanding and correct communication between individuals plays an important role in
leading individuals to loneliness. The study revealed that individuals understood other
individuals better and communicated better after adopting a pet. In other words, it has been seen
that a healthy communication process and the commonization of meanings provide the
elimination of loneliness. Expressions such as 'loneliness', 'desire for refuge', 'selfishness',self-interest' 'self-interest', 'innocent feelings' in the discourses of the participants also reveal the
conclusion that individuals do not reach each other sufficiently. At this point, individuals may
need to exhibit attitudes that are free from bad, negative emotions, reveal their feelings more
openly, be more altruistic towards their environment that needs them, spare more time, and
reassure the other party.
When the studies conducted with domestic animals are examined, the fact that the number
of studies on this subject in our country is quite low constitutes a major constraint for the studies
to be conducted on domestic animals. Individuals' attitudes towards animals due to reasons
related to their perspective on pets may be among the reasons for the scarcity of studies
(Arslantürk & Ambaroğlu 2007).
In this respect, new studies that can change the existing
judgments of people and show people that there are animals in this life, and that individuals and
individuals and animals can live together in a society will make important contributions to
individuals as well as to the literature.
In addition to pet owners, it is also important that other individuals are sensitive to animal
rights. However, considering the positive effects of animals on people, adopting an animal is a
very important step for both the individual and the animal. For individuals who do not find this
situation appropriate for some reasons, creating a warmer environment for animals trying to live
on the streets, including them in their lives and realizing that nature does not only belong to
individuals will make individuals more sensitive. In addition, being involved in the feeding
activities of some associations and groups will provide many contributions in terms of
integrating with nature, mingling with animals, getting to know new individuals during feeding,
adding difference to monotonous life, socializing, stimulating conscience, and getting away
from stress-causing factors.
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