Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community | 
 enlarge | Authors: Charles R. Figley, Robert G. Roop
Publisher: Humane Society Press
Category: Book
Buy New: $19.95
New (2) Used (2) from $19.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 295835
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 134
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.5
ISBN: 0974840076
EAN: 9780974840079
ASIN: 0974840076
Publication Date: February 23, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Compassion fatigue---the exhaustion caused by the demands of being empathic and helpful to those who are suffering---is found at every level among the underserved, underappreciated, and uncomplaining caregivers in animal-related fields. In this ground-breaking book, two prominent leaders in the field examination the causes of compassion fatigue and offer help to those who suffer from it. Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community is a must-read for
animal shelter employees, volunteers, and board members
veterinarians, and veterinary practice and veterinary hospital staffs
wildlife rehabilitators
breed-rescue or equine-rescue volunteers
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| Customer Reviews:
Why We Wrote This Book April 21, 2006
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
Several years ago, Bob Roop, a VP at the Human Society US approached me about writing a book for the Society because of the enormous need. The need was reflected in the research conducted by the Society among members of the animal care community utilizing a survey measure I helped to develop. The results were very revealing. Although the people who dedicated their lives to working for the protection and care of animals had very low burnout and very high job satisfaction, they had surprisingly high compassion fatigue; that they were literally traumatized by their work. It was as if they were addicted in that they were doing things they liked despite it hurting them. This is not unlike others who worked with the traumatized - social workers, the clergy, nurses, child protection workers, war journalists, and so many others.
Being an academic researcher, most of my books are geared to fellow academics. Bob and the Human Society Press staff helped me shift my writing to make it more practical and readable. Together, Bob and I did our best to convey what we know about the compassion fatigue (secondary or vicarious trauma effects from working with the suffering), how to recognize it, how to get rid of it, and how to avoid it. We tried to include as many practical tips and methods to achieve these goals. Did we succeed? We hope that the reader will tell us any everyone else reading these reviews the answer to this question.
Finally a book to help those who care for our animals. April 12, 2006
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
"Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community" is a supportive book for those in the animal care industry, particularly those who work in shelters and see a lot of abused and sick and lonely animals.
Animal Care workers are vulnerable to Compassion Fatigue, a form of PTSD., physical, mental and emotional exhaustion because of their unique job stresses. Job stresses include very ill animals, euthenasia, not enough time, lack of team work, and at times difficult pet owners.
This book explains what Compassion Fatigue is, how it is different than Burnout, and how to measure that against Compassion Satisfaction. What are the stressors that can lead to compassion fatigue? What can you do about it if you see it in yourself and others? This book by psychologists, Figley & Roop present self help resources, exercises, suggestions and tips to help yourself and your co-workers.
The book is sensitively written and extremely respectful to those who entered the field in the first place because they love animals. They don't always feel that their work is valued and this book encourages the self-care they deserve. This book would be useful for those entering veterinary schools, animal care managers, shelter employees and volunteers. P.S. This would be a wonderful book for people in the helping profession not just the animal community.
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