Compassion fatigue—or secondary traumatic stress disorder—is the natural consequence of stress resulting from caring for and helping traumatized or suffering people or animals (Figley, 1993). This condition occurs when professionals who are exposed to trauma experienced by those in their care become so overwhelmed that they themselves experience feelings of fear, pain, and suffering. They may suffer from intrusive thoughts, nightmares, loss of energy, and perception of threats at home or at work.

Compassion fatigue can occur in humane advocacy professionals, especially those who must participate in euthanasia of animals. But you don't even have to handle animals or work everyday at a shelter to feel symptoms of compassion fatigue. Animal advocates experience countless first- and second-hand accounts of animal abuse and neglect.

Don't worry, compassion fatigue is treatable. Humane Society University is committed to helping the animal welfare field combat compassion fatigue. We offer a workshop to help you help yourself and help others. 

Combating Compassion Fatigue in the Animal Care Field is a daylong workshop designed to teach people how to recognize, understand, and treat compassion fatigue in themselves and others.

Workshop Objectives

• Define symptoms of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue, and how they relate to persons in the animal care field.
• Students will be given the opportunity to determine their susceptibility to compassion fatigue and that of their co-workers, through an individual survey and group exercises.
• Learn how compassion fatigue affects both individuals and their organizations.
• Learn how to cope with compassion fatigue and how to successfully administer a personal improvement and protection plan.

Purchase Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community, co-authored by Dr. Charles Figley and Dr. Robert Roop, leading experts on compassion fatigue in the animal care and control field. Order online or print the order form (requires free Adobe Reader software).

  Watch a 6-minute video about compassion fatigue (Windows Media) featuring Drs. Roop and Figley.