Mindfulness for Veterinary Hospitals

Mindfulness in Veterinary Medicine

Undoubtedly, the veterinary medical field attracts individuals who demonstrate a high level of compassion, empathy, and drive to care for others. Overall, veterinarians and other animal caretakers report a high level of satisfaction in their work; the caregiving work that they do is rewarded with compassion satisfaction – a joy or sense of achievement found in helping and caring for others. However, repeated exposure to traumatic events (such as abuse, illness, and euthanasia) can lead to fatigue, burnout and overwhelm. Veterinary professionals are very much at risk for burnout and empathic distress. Like other caregivers, they deal with death and illness on a daily basis. They have to deliver bad news to clients, deal with animal cruelty, and see clients struggle to balance financial needs with the needs of their pets. This over time can lead to empathetic distress.

Symptoms of Empathetic Distress

Feelings of apathy and isolation are at the top of the list of symptoms of empathetic distress. But they are far from the only ones. This insidious disorder can cause problems both psychological and physical. Common symptoms of compassion fatigue can include:

For those that participate in the veterinary mindfulness workshops, some of the benefits that may occur are:

Less feelings of overwhelm and burnout
Greater productivity
Improved interwork relationships
Greater job satisfaction
Fewer sick days
Improved resilience

Mindfulness/stress management opportunities for you

Interested in bringing a mindfulness session into your clinic? Don’t hesitate to reach out! While I have a curriculum developed for lunch-and-learn hour long sessions, they can be catered to fit the specific needs of your clinic. Just let me know what particular challenges your staff may be facing and we can work on something to offer for the whole team!

Examples of specific focus points include:

1. Improving Client Interactions

Learning how to show more compassion and less reactivity to animals and co-workers

2. Interpersonal Relationships within the Team

Helping co-workers to recognize each other’s humanity and interact with more kindness

3. Managing Challenging Emotions within the Clinic

Providing simple, yet effective tools for staff to help manage difficult emotions around sensitive subjects such as euthanasia, ICU cases and end of life care for beloved patients

Testimonials

Betsy P. Human Resources Manager, Palm Springs Animal Shelter

"We are so thankful to Lori for coming to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter to perform a Mindfulness Workshop for our staff. Since our workshop I have received many positive and appreciative comments from staff and look forward to expanding our relationship with Lori."

Tamara Hedges, Chair Board of Directors, Palm Springs Animal Shelter

"The level of stress at our Palm Springs shelter has increased over the last year due to a variety of external forces, specifically the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortage of veterinarians, the precarious economy, and the affordable housing crisis in our region. Lori’s presentation to our staff couldn’t have happened at a better time. She provided real and easily accessible techniques to help us recognize the signs and indicators of stress, calm and center our minds, focus on our breath, and support each other during difficult situations. She also helped us to understand that we are not alone in how we are feeling, and that feeling stressed and overwhelmed is not a sign of weakness or lack of skill, but a normal response to the type of work we do. We cannot always control what happens, but we can control our mindset and how we react to the challenges that hit us each day."

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