In the study, researchers identified three distinct profiles of dog owners: 'friendly colleagues' who perceive their pets as companions and sources of security; 'dog parents' with deep emotional ties but minimal practical assumptions; and 'companions' who value their dogs for companionship while maintaining some emotional distance.
Laura Gillet, the study's lead author, emphasized that despite data collection from groups centered on family dogs, the diverse profiles of owners present a complex social understanding, indicating that dogs' roles are not uniform across their human companions.
The survey revealed that while dog owners overwhelmingly appreciate physical contact, unconditional love, and the beauty of their pets, there is a split in how much they benefit from social interactions facilitated by their dogs, highlighting varied experiences among owners.
The findings suggest that the prevailing view of dogs as 'man's best friend' doesn't necessarily reflect the reality for many owners, as relationships can range from seeing pets as coworkers to those keeping emotional distance.
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