This study, conducted by D. Landeros and Shelly Volsche, examines how cultural heritage shapes human–dog relationships within Mexican-American communities in Las Vegas. While past Mexican traditions sometimes reflected negative attitudes toward dogs, findings indicate a significant shift toward stronger emotional bonds and positive perceptions.
Researchers distributed bilingual self-report surveys at public venues such as dog parks, pet stores, and cultural events to gather data on demographics, pet ownership, and living styles of dogs. Results show that Mexican-Americans hold attitudes toward pet dogs similar to those of American pet owners, marking a clear departure from older cultural norms.
Interestingly, the difference between Mexican nationals and Mexican-Americans in their views on pet dogs was statistically significant (p = 0.5). These findings suggest that living within the U.S. cultural context may encourage more affectionate and companion-based perspectives toward dogs.
The authors recommend future research into how these changing attitudes could influence participation in foster programs and assisted animal therapy initiatives within Mexican and Mexican-American communities.
Source: D. Landeros & Shelly Volsche. (2018). Investigation of Mexican-American Attitudes Towards Pet Dogs. Field of Study: Psychology. Publication Type: Review.
