ABSTRACT

One hundred eighty four military families were surveyed in person and their pet involvement at transfer time and shortly thereafter was ascertained. Comprising the 184 families were 3 stratified random samples made up of 93 junior enlisted families, 48 officer families, and 43 senior enlisted families. As a very early study in this specific subject a major portion of the study explored and identified by rank the frequencies relating to type of pet involvement, the species of pet involved, the reasons for pet ownership, the reasons for leaving behind, bringing, or acquiring a pet, and the effects noted from either leaving, bringing, or acquiring a pet. Finally, early hypothesis testing using chi square was used in establishing differences and/or similarities between the rank groupings in their pet involvement and effects derived therefrom. As a result, those concerned with military families at transfer time now have evidence that the pet as a factor is pertinent to a great many families and that its impact is no small matter to these families.