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