# World Veterinary Day Celebrates the Unsung Heroes of Animal Care
The 26th of April marks the day for world veterinary day, recognising the invaluable contributions of veterinarians, veterinary nurses, technicians, shelter workers and animal husbandry staff worldwide. These professionals work tirelessly to ensure the health and well-being of animals, protect public health and support communities.
More Than Just a Job
Caring for animals is more than just a job – it is a calling. Animal care professionals dedicate their lives to treating sick or injured animals, supporting worried owners and making difficult decisions, such as limiting treatment options due to financial constraints, handling cases of neglect or abuse and, when necessary, performing humane euthanasia.
Emotional Toll of the Job
While immensely rewarding, this work also carries an emotional burden. Daily exposure to suffering, ethical dilemmas and high-pressure situations can lead to compassion fatigue, moral distress and burnout.
- Compassion fatigue arises when professionals feel emotionally exhausted from constantly witnessing animal suffering.
- Moral distress occurs when they are forced to make difficult choices that conflict with their ethical beliefs, such as being unable to save an animal due to financial constraints.
These challenges can take a serious toll on animal care professionals, contributing to higher rates of depression, anxiety and even suicide, compared with the general population.
Breaking Down Stigmas
The assumption that veterinarians and animal care professionals “play with animals all day” trivialises the stress they endure and the life-and-death decisions they face regularly. Support their well-being by providing a safe space for open conversation and encouraging them to seek help.
Support for Animal Care Professionals
Pet owners can support animal care professionals by doing thorough research before getting a pet, ensuring adequate financial and time commitment, monitoring their pet’s health closely and seeking early veterinary care.
- Helpful videos and photos can assist veterinary professionals in providing the best care possible.
- Seeking early veterinary care can help prevent suffering and save lives.
Importance of Mental Health Support
Mental health resources are available, including counselling services, peer support groups and professional associations that provide well-being programmes. Helplines such as the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) at 1767 or the Singapore Veterinary Association’s support network can offer guidance and assistance.
Mental health support must extend beyond veterinary clinics to include all workplaces where animal care professionals operate, such as shelters, farms, research facilities, wildlife conservation centres and zoos.
- Fostering open communication within workplaces to encourage conversations about mental health without stigma.
- Providing training on resilience and stress management to help professionals navigate the emotional toll of their work.
- Implementing debriefing sessions after emotionally challenging cases to process experiences in a supportive environment.
- Encouraging self-care routines, including setting boundaries, taking breaks and engaging in activities outside work.
- Utilising stress-relief techniques, such as mindful breathing or havening, to help lower stress levels.
The struggles faced by animal care professionals are real, but they do not have to be faced alone. Whether you work in a clinic, shelter or farm, your work matters and support is available.
Dr Giana Gomes, a therapist and veterinarian, emphasizes the importance of supporting animal care professionals. “As a therapist, I have seen the impact of compassion fatigue on animal care professionals. It is crucial to address these issues before they lead to burnout and suicide.”
Dr Giana Gomes provides workshops, talks and one-to-one coaching for animal care professionals dealing with burnout, empathy fatigue and related challenges. She encourages open conversations about mental health and provides resources for support.
Let us start conversations about mental health within animal care professions to ensure that those who dedicate their lives to animals receive the care, compassion and recognition they deserve.
| Helpline | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) | 1767 |
| Singapore Veterinary Association’s support network | Available upon request |
# Supporting Mental Health in Animal Care Professions
As we celebrate world veterinary day, let us also shine a light on the mental health challenges faced by animal care professionals. Their dedication to animal welfare is commendable, but it comes with an emotional cost. Caring for animals is a calling that requires immense empathy and compassion, yet it can also lead to compassion fatigue, moral distress and burnout.
Breaking the Silence
Animal care professionals need care and support too. Beyond saying thank you, responsible pet ownership plays a crucial role. Pet owners can support animal care professionals by doing thorough research before getting a pet, ensuring adequate financial and time commitment, monitoring their pet’s health closely and seeking early veterinary care.
- Doing thorough research before getting a pet ensures the animal receives proper care and minimizes the risk of complications.
- Ensuring adequate financial and time commitment shows that the pet owner is committed to providing the best possible care.
Mental Health Resources
Mental health resources are available, including counselling services, peer support groups and professional associations that provide well-being programmes. Veterinary associations, government agencies and employers must prioritise workplace well-being, promote work-life balance and provide resources that help animal care professionals thrive. If you are an animal care professional feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted colleague, a mental health professional or a support network. Let us start conversations about mental health within animal care professions to ensure that those who dedicate their lives to animals receive the care, compassion and recognition they deserve.
Final Thoughts
Dr Giana Gomes, a therapist and veterinarian, emphasizes the importance of supporting animal care professionals. As a therapist, she has seen the impact of compassion fatigue on animal care professionals. It is crucial to address these issues before they lead to burnout and suicide.
