Squad Leader Archive

Does being in a group with just a pet you own count as a "squad of some sort"? Is it possible to go fighting with just a pet or two and possibly gain XP....or is it required to have another PC in your group?

I have always gone hunting with just a pet, and always get squad leader xp, as long as you do some damage to the target as well.

EXCEPT, since the patch I am not getting squad leader xp at all....... /cry