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Abstract
This study explores the everyday occupations of caring for a pet, as conveyed in the North American print media spanning 1999-2008 that discusses pet ownership. The incidence of pet ownership is increasing in North America and research suggests that pet ownership can improve health and well-being. Yet, to date, occupational scientists have contributed little to this growing knowledge base. The present study adopted Rodgers’ (2000) evolutionary concept analysis approach to analyze North American newspapers and bestselling books. Findings were synthesized with historical insights and accounts from around the globe. Analysis revealed that pet ownership is a complex concept consisting of: responsibility, investment, occupational engagement, entrepreneurship, relationships, morality, and attitude. Occupational engagement appeared as the central attribute. The Rubik's Cube emerged as a mental image representing the complexity of pet ownership. Having a mental image to study caring for a pet is the end product of concept analysis and can be useful for occupational scientists studying these occupations in the future.
Acknowledgements
This article draws from my PhD studies entitled: Advancing our understanding of ‘pet ownership’ as a well-being promoting occupation among community dwelling people with serious mental illness. My sincere thanks go to Dr. Terry Krupa for her longstanding mentorship. Thanks also to my advisory committee members Dr. Diane Buchanan and Dr. Rosemary Lysaght and the anonymous manuscript reviewers for their feedback.