Between the beast and the boss: Work psychology challenges for animal health and welfare staff

D.N. Costa; D. Rolo; N.H. Franco; M. Magalhães-Sant’Ana; I.A.S. Olsson

Between the beast and the boss: Work psychology challenges for animal health and welfare staff

In: EurSafe2024 Proceedings

Authors:

D.N. Costa

D.N. Costa ¹FPCEUP, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200 Porto, Portugal

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D. Rolo

D. Rolo ²ISCTE, Av. das Forças Armadas, 1649 Lisboa, Portugal

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N.H. Franco

N.H. Franco ³i3S, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200 Porto, Portugal

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M. Magalhães-Sant’Ana

M. Magalhães-Sant’Ana ⁴FMV, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300 Lisboa, Portugal

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I.A.S. Olsson

I.A.S. Olsson ³i3S, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200 Porto, Portugal

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 342–347

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004715509_056

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Dar Hadith al Hassania

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Compassion fatigue (CF), first described in human healthcare, aims to capture the struggle experienced when limiting resources or competing demands prevent professionals from providing appropriate care. Also for the veterinary profession, large scale surveys have reported high levels of CF, and other animal care professionals at risk are now starting to get research attention, with high CF levels found in laboratory animal care staff as well as animal shelter staff and volunteers. In both, the caring-killing paradox (having to kill animals one cares for) is reportedly a key driver. Most research is from North America, and using quantitative methods. We present results from two focus group interviews with Portuguese professionals, using a qualitative approach. Shelter professionals report distress over decision-making, human-animal dilemmas, and public misunderstandings, whereas laboratory animal personnel point to difficult interactions with researchers, moral dilemmas of euthanizing surplus animals, and a lack of recognition within their institutions. These results suggest that professional mental well-being is about much more than CF.

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EurSafe2024 Proceedings

Back to the future - Sustainable innovations for ethical food production and consumption

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004715509

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 03 Sep 2024

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Between the beast and the boss: Work psychology challenges for animal health and welfare staff

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EurSafe2024 Proceedings

Back to the future - Sustainable innovations for ethical food production and consumption

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