Compassion FatigueWhen caring hurts
Why do veterinarians choose the profession?
Everyone has a Story
Compassion
What is compassion?
Compassion is the deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with
the desire to relieve it*
Compassion
Compassion
Compassion
The Dream
Heal the sick
Save the abandoned
Help the helpless
The Reality
I am “just a dog”
Nobody wants me
You cannot heal me
You have to let me go
The Dream
The Dream
Veterinarians encounter death fives times more frequently than human physicians*
Most companion animals will die by euthanasia
The Reality
“There is nothing heavier than compassion. Not even one's own pain weighs so heavy as the pain one feels for someone.”
--Milan Kundera--
What is compassion fatigue?
Compassion fatigue is deep physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion, accompanied by acute
emotional pain
In other words, it hurts too much to care
It hurts too much to care for the animals
It hurts too much to care for the clients
It hurts too much to care for yourself
How does this happen?
Unrealistic expectations
The application process for veterinary school self selects for Type A, over-achieving
perfectionists
Feelings of helplessness
Personal triggers
Unrelenting stress
Unrelenting death
A Grief Pile-Up
Stages of compassion fatigue
Zealot Phase
Zealot Phase• Idealistic
• Enthusiasm Overflows
• Ready to make a difference
• Bright and shiny
Irritability Phase
Irritability Phase • Begin to avoid patients/clients
• Mock patients/clients
• Oversights, mistakes
• Beginning of distancing
Withdrawal Phase
Withdrawal Phase • Enthusiasm sours, bubble bursts
• Clients/patients are a major source of irritation
• Neglecting self care
• Personal relationships suffer
Zombie Phase
Zombie Phase • Hate of coworkers
• Clients are stupid, ignorant
• Disdain for patients
• No joy, no sense of fun
Veterinarians have four times the suicide rate compared to
the general public
They have double the rate of other health professionals*
According to one of the first mental health surveys done on veterinarians in the United
States:
1 in 6 veterinarians have considered suicide
Victimization
Leave the profession
Resilience and Renewal
How to cope with compassion fatigue
Realistic expectations
“You cannot care for the animal more than the owner
does”
“Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that
there are things that cannot be.”‐‐Author Anonymous‐‐
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you
are.”‐‐Theodore Roosevelt‐‐
Self Care
Establish boundaries
HUMOR
Stay connected with colleagues and
coworkers
Seek support from those that validate
emotions
Honor grief
Compassion is a gift
There is always hope