Taking a breather from her shelter work, an AWLA staff member cuddles an adoptable kitten.
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An Animal Welfare League of Alexandria staffer readies pet supplies as part of the shelter’s Pet Pantry operation. The pantry supports pet owners who are experiencing financial need.
“I can recall feeling that, because I cared so much, I suddenly felt very overwhelmed with the work,” said Rankin, who is now Chief Operating Officer of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. “I started using a lot of dark humor and became callous about things I used to care about. Compassion fatigue definitely can affect relationships with family and friends.”
Rankin’s encounter with compassion fatigue is a common experience for animal shelter workers. “Compassion fatigue is the physical, psychological and emotional impact of helping others, often through difficult situations,” said AWLA Executive Director Stella Hanly. “It is different from burnout or a person exhausting their capacity to care. Compassion fatigue stems from repeated exposure to traumatic events and can cause a person to grow numb to situations that would otherwise affect them deeply.” Animal shelter staffers are thought to experience this condition at similar rates to those of health care workers, she said.
To combat this problem, the AWLA emphasizes “compassion resilience,” encouraging staff members to focus on taking personal care of themselves to stay ahead of the concerns of compassion fatigue. Staff are encouraged to recognize the symptoms of stress and work on developing outlets such as relaxing with family and pets and engaging in a hobby — before any fatigue sets in. Managers are also observing their staff for any signs of concern so they can emphasize focusing on mental health.
Joe Miench, the AWLA’s Behavior and Training Manager, experiences highs and lows daily, as most of the animals he works with require extra attention and support. He recently took on a dog named Floyd who had been transferred in from West Virginia and was terrified. “Because of his extreme fear, he had to be carried off the truck and then wouldn’t come out of his crate,” Miench recalled. Weeks of intense work with Floyd warmed him up to the point he could be leashed for walks, and he eventually was adopted by a loving couple.
Miench approaches his work with an eye toward finding the proper mental balance. “You have to have compassion in order to help the animals,” he said. “But compassion is also the thing that can be the most detrimental. If you aren’t able to separate yourself from the animals you work with or find the right coping mechanisms, you can get stuck in seeing only their suffering. It can spiral down and be extremely difficult to get out of.”
Miench said he experienced full-blown compassion fatigue in a previous job. “At first I thought I was normal and just tired. But I decided to dive into some hobbies, including woodworking. Like my job, woodworking involves some problem-solving, but it’s different. No one is going to be negatively impacted if I use the wrong screw.” Exploring activities outside of work helped Miench once again feel ready to face the highs and lows of the sometimes stressful environment.
Joanna Fortin, who directs community-facing programs including the AWLA’s Pet Pantry, often extends her compassion beyond the animals in the facility. “So many of the people who come to us needing help for their pets are also facing food insecurity and housing struggles themselves,” she said. “A few weeks ago someone emailed me to say that support from the Pet Pantry had allowed them to finally become food secure, both for themselves and their pet. It’s very emotional to hear that because you know that the humans in the family have been facing challenges just as daunting and real as the pets.”
Compassion fatigue can often stem from seeing the worst of things happen, seemingly on a daily basis, and reports of progress from community members help AWLA employees experience some of the best. Employees in the Community Programs group, Fortin said, work to create those successes by putting people in touch with the resources needed for both their families and their pets. “Our shared successes and the positive outcomes for the animals and families we work with enable us to continue this work,” she said.
Fortin says she sometimes recognizes signs of compassion fatigue in her staff and responds by helping them navigate difficult situations. When she notices that a staffer seems worn down, struggling to summon empathy or unable to protect themselves from sad situations, “I suggest they take 20 minutes and cuddle a puppy or go out on a walk with one,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the animals themselves who can be the remedy for the problem.”
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is a local 501(c)(3) organization that operates the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, Alexandria's only open-access animal shelter. In response to the global pandemic, the AWLA has established a virtual adoption process and is operating a Pet Pantry that provides pet food and supplies to community members in need. The AWLA also offers assistance to Alexandrians with questions about wildlife and animals in the community. More information can be found at AlexandriaAnimals.org.