Summary

There is an existing body of research that indicates that shelter staff in the UK are at increased risk of emotional health issues in recent times. Animal rescue services are under considerable pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis & ongoing fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. This has led to a dramatic increase in the number of animals arriving in rescue shelters across the UK & the additional stressors associated with this. These include witnessing animals arriving in distress, as well as observing the impact of neglect & mistreatment. The demands placed upon workers in response to increased demand for services can lead to increased cases of overwhelm burnout, trauma symptoms & compassion fatigue. Symptoms that are easy to miss to untrained individuals. Staff mental health issues can invariably impact volunteer working ability & retention.

We know that stress can exert a significant impact both emotional & physical wellbeing. We can’t change the current climate, but we can help you & your needs to be heard. We can help support you to understand how & why we respond to stress the way we do & give you strategies to use to help mitigate the effects. This will help you to avoid burnout & other stress-related conditions so that you can engage in more value-based living, both in & outside of the great work you do. Stress avoidance is impossible, but stress management is something within all our capabilities when given the right tools to do so.

Host

Human Animal Welfare Alliance HAWA

An innovative and unique alliance spearheaded by Psychologist Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo and fully supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG). Utilising the skills and passion of mental health professionals, as well as those in the animal welfare sector, to create a core shift in how the emotional health of those working in animal welfare is addressed and protected. We aim to create a direct, measurable, and hugely positive impact on the animal welfare sector in the UK. Dr Tara has over 20 years' clinical experience in mental health & is an experienced lecturer, trainer & speaker.

Supported By

All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG): APDAWG is an All-Party Parliamentary Group set up in 2017 to explore, highlight, discuss & challenge dog-related activities, legislation & trends with the overall aim of improving the health & welfare of the UK's dogs & dog owners, plus society in general. At APDAWG's Feb 2023 meeting which explored the 'State of UK Rescue', one of the common themes shared by CEOs of the majority of dog rescue charities present, was how the current challenging situation of pet abandonment, made worse by pandemic puppy boom & cost of living crisis, is compromising mental health of shelter staff. For more information about APDAWG click here.

Agria Pet Insurance: The world's oldest specialist pet insurer was formed in 1890 to protect animals (the first was a horse) by making access to veterinary treatment easier for owners. Since that time, Agria has focused on developing products that put animals first, with welfare outcomes at the centre. Working with over 500 rehoming organisations across the UK, Agria provides support to them and protection for animals they rehome. Close relationships with rehoming centres gives Agria insight into the serious issues faced, and the team is grateful to this project for their support to volunteers so dedicated to caring for animals.

Description

A FREE 1-hour online session using Zoom as a platform.

A supportive & informative session for UK based shelter staff to help you think through the current issues you are facing in your work & impact this may be having on your own emotional health & wellbeing. We want to provide a safe & compassionate space for you to be heard & for us to then identify your future support needs.

We want to introduce you to an evidenced based effective model to empower you to effectively manage stressors & demands impacting your emotional & physical health.

Disclaimer

This webinar is psychoeducational & does not constitute any formal therapeutic intervention.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis then please contact your GP, 111 or visit your local A&E Department. Please seek professional diagnosis & support if required from an appropriately qualified professional.

The content of this webinar remains the intellectual property of Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo (CPsychol, AFBPsS) & All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group APDAWG.

Any dissemination of information contained in this webinar or accompanying resources is prohibited without prior consent of Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo (CPsychol, AFBPsS) & All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group APDAWG (2024)

Confidentiality

We want this event to be a safe & useful space. The content of this session will therefore remain confidential to ensure the safety & wellbeing of those participating. Please do not share the names, personal details, or experiences of others outside this meeting.

Next steps

We would like to use this session to also identify further & ongoing support needs for workers like yourselves in animal welfare.

If you would like to be involved in helping us to further understand your experiences after the event, then we would love to hear from you. You can contact us here: drqc@icloud.com

Your information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality & respect.

We are committed to creating a bespoke longer-term support model for your sector.

Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo (CPsychol, AFBPsS) & All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group APDAWG & Agria Pet Insurance

Monthly Emotional Health Check In for Animal Shelter Staff