Compassion Resilience Resources for Organizations + Individuals
with Jessica Dolce, MS CCFE
Animal welfare work is deeply rewarding, but it can also come with high costs to those who provide such valuable services.
Staff engaged in animal welfare work are particularly susceptible to secondary traumatic stress (STS) because of the vulnerable nature of the animals they care for, the high volume and unpredictable nature of their jobs, and a relative lack of psychological protection. This inevitably takes a toll on staff well-being and the organization’s ability to deliver high quality care and make an impact.
Below you'll find resources that can help individuals and organizations address stress and distress in the workplace.
Free Resources
Assessment for Organizations
There are a number of practices & policies organizations can implement over time to reduce stress and distress and promote staff resilience.
The first step to create a healthier workplace? Take an assessment!
Individual AssessmentsÂ
There are a variety of assessment tools available for individual use.Â
Here you'll find the Professional Quality of Life Evaluation, adapted for animal care work, and the ACEs Questionnaire for personal use.
Adoption Counselor Support
Handout: An open adoption approach requires increased support for adoption counselors at the individual and organizational level. Learn more in Adopters Welcome: The mind-body connection.
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Stress First Aid
Access in-depth workbooks and implementation guides to help your team or your organization adopt the Stress First Aid framework.
Debriefing 101
Handout: Learn more about different types of debriefing, including the four steps of low impact debriefing, and help yourself and your teams to engage in safe, effective conversations about the impact of the work.
Euthanasia Communication
+ Support Survey
Access collective wisdom from the field gathered in a 2023 survey.Â
This resource offers ideas and guidance about one of the most complex areas of the work.Â
Service Providers
Looking for a trainer, consultant, or affordable mental health care?
Explore this list of support services for your own care, as well as staff and leadership support.Â
Trauma Informed Approaches Webinar
Access a free webinar with CiB founder Jessica Dolce, hosted by HSUS, on the basics of trauma-informed approaches for organizations.
Where Do Your Stories Go?
Handout: Learn about the value of expressive writing in helping to decrease compassion fatigue and burnout, and increase resilience. Includes writing prompts!
Be Well, Do Good: Simple Self Care Tips
Handout: A lack of self care can be both a symptom of and result of compassion fatigue. Learn some foundational tips for effective self-care to help you stay well, while you do good!
