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Compassion Fatigue: the Cost of Caring Human Emotions in the Care of Laboratory Animals

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Compassion Fatigue: the Cost of Caring Human Emotions in the Care of Laboratory Animals Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of Caring Human emotions in the care of laboratory animals The human–animal bond exists in many forms. Kindness and concern for animals are desirable characteristics in animal care and research workers. Practices of gentle handling, compassion, and patience serve to build the bond between humans and animals. The development of the human-animal bond can improve animal welfare by minimizing stress, enhancing a sense of safety and security, and fostering trust. Close contact with animals can create feelings of satisfaction and affection in those who care for the animals. Therefore, to find that workers experience grief or bereavement at the death of animals used for research or teaching is not surprising. Acknowl- edging that these feelings exist and providing support in the workplace are important. In addition, the bond between people and animals in the laboratory can minimize certain variables related to stress in the animals. Compassion fatigue, also known as secondary traumatic stress (STS), is an emotional state that was first recognized in the early 1990s in highly empathetic nurses who had lost their nurturing quality and compassion towards their patients. This condition is the result of witnessing and ex- pending ongoing care for individuals who are experiencing some form of suffering and is often typified by chronic exposure to traumatic events. Over time, compassion fatigue was recognized in other health care pro- viders working in fields such as trauma, hospice care, and psychological health. In the last decade, there has been increased awareness of this condition in animal health providers, but only very recently have we made this association with feelings that many of us have long experienced in the laboratory animal science community. Compassion fatigue can culmi- nate in emotional, physical, and cognitive exhaustion that can come at a great professional and personal toll that affects our well-being. However, According to work done by sociologist Ar- if it is addressed appropriately, individuals will feel validated, their coping nold Arluke, laboratory animal technicians mechanisms will be strengthened, and their ability to sustain or form new in nine biomedical laboratories and animal bonds will be reinforced. In the end, the research community can reap facilities confirmed the existence of the hu- the benefits of these essential relationships. This brochure is designed to man-animal bond. Based on extensive inter- assist all members of the research team in understanding this common views, Arluke reported, “Every technician I concern and provide suggestions and resources for managing human interviewed for this study experienced some emotions in the care of laboratory animals. form of attachment to a laboratory animal at least once in his or her career.” An Emotional Experience The regulations for animal care and use do not just specify efficient care, but call for the humane care of animals. Federal mandates require researchers to use procedures that avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain. The research team must ensure that the animals live in conditions that provide for their health and well-being. NIH guidelines and federal regulations require enriching the environment of some species and planning protocols with attention to issues of pain and its relief. Close contact with animals affords personnel intense feelings of satisfaction in knowing they are not only providing essential needs such as food, water, and clean bedding, but also affection. In return, many animals develop trust and a sense of security, which further enables environmental adaptation and stress reduction. When properly understood and used, the bond between people and laboratory animals minimizes stress-related variables. However, many of us regularly witness or induce disease in healthy animals, observe mor- bidity and mortality in the animals we care for, and at times, euthanize animals for reasons other than alleviating pain or distress. Some people may experience guilt, uneasiness, frus- tration, and other feelings during a study. Experiencing grief at the death of laboratory animals is not surprising. Euthanasia is a complex and highly emotional issue. Although animals are treated humanely, emotions may be triggered in individuals who are directly or indirectly involved. Similar to human loss, when dealing with the death of an animal, feel- ings of grief and mourning may be evoked. Knowledge that these feelings exist and provid- ing support in the workplace are important. There is a tendency to think that only those working directly with animals are impacted. However, there are other individuals who may indirectly experience secondary traumatic stress. This may include business office staff, purchasing agents, IACUC administrators and members, cage wash teams, researchers sharing lab space with colleagues working with animal models and vendors, just to name a few. It is important to acknowledge that these experiences can be just as emotionally challenging as working directly with animals. The Grieving Process On initial contact with a laboratory animal, an individual may realize that at some future point the animal may be eutha- The stages of grief in people, as described by Elisabeth Kübler- nized. At that moment, he/she could decide not to bond with Ross, a pioneer in the concept of death and dying, include the animal in order to avoid experiencing grief at the animal’s denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The death. Walls that are built for emotional protection can eventu- occurrence and timing of these stages may vary. An i n d i - ally crumble, leaving one open and vulnerable. Contrary to the vidual in mourning may feel as if he/she is on an emotional beliefs of some, lack of emotional expression does not neces- roller coaster, riddled with extreme highs and lows. People may sarily provide a safeguard. express a sense of having “no control” over events, leading to 6 feelings of frustration and fear. Hidden emotions may be revealed in the guise of Ideally, an individual in mourning will eventually come full other symptoms that may include: circle in the grief process by placing his/her emotions in proper • Expressions of psychosomatic illnesses, such as perspective. To safeguard against feelings of loss, individuals depression, lethargy, headaches, tightness in throat, may engage in a process known as “anticipatory grief.” An- and gastric disturbances ticipatory grief is a process of emotional protection when an • Sleeplessness individual begins to subconsciously prepare for an imminent • Poor appetite event, such as the death of an animal. by disengaging and • Impatience electing from the onset not to bond with animals under their care. Personnel working in animal research may experience an- • Inability to concentrate ticipatory grief, although it is rarely identified. • Severe mood swings The mourning experience is initiated early and signals the indi- • Irritability vidual to disengage from the animal for emotional protection • Impaired personal and professional relationships later. Despite the mental preparation, the time of death may still be painful and difficult to accept. Neglected feelings can lead to: or fulfillment, in providing for the needs of others. It can also be the sense of accomplishment and contribution gained • High staff turnover through research that can lead to positive outcomes for hu- • Loss of work days man or animal health. In a sense, compassion satisfaction is • Decreased morale and poor attitude an emotional counterbalance to compassion fatigue. • Delivery of diminished services Taking time to connect with positive outcomes of • Uncaring or callous attitude toward animals the work that is done or supported is essential. By shifting the focus to the recognition of the positive Institutional-level strategies: aspects, compassion satisfaction is encouraged. Here • Inform staff about wellness resources your institution are some examples of compassion satisfaction: offers or collaborates with other sources. This may be • Training individuals to proficiency on an animal a simple as access to literature on wellness strategies or technique or procedure signing up for daily meditation sessions. • Implementation of a protocol refinement that you • Provide access to counseling resources. If your recommended institution has this benefit, contact this service to • Observing animals explore and engage in a new inquire about their experience with compassion fatigue enrichment device for individuals working with animals in biomedical • Establishing a successful social housing arrangement research. If the service providers do not have previous experience with compassion fatigue, educate the • Managing an anesthesia case that had a smooth and mental health professionals to ensure they are prepared stress free recovery to support our community on this topic. • Observing animals respond to an effective treatment plan • For those programs that do not have the benefit of • Coordinating a complicated animal import or export institutional counseling support, consider innovative with minimal transit times partnerships that can provide this resource. Programs • Observing reduced aggression in an animal colony with students training in social work, psychology, or due to your gentle and calm husbandry care psychiatry may be able to provide these services to • Focusing on providing clean and sanitized housing to your community. ensure humane and healthy animal enclosures
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