Vet Talk: Shining a light on struggles faced by animal care professionals (2025)

SINGAPORE – World Veterinary Day is celebrated on April 26, recognising the invaluable contributions of veterinarians, veterinary nurses, technicians, shelter workers and animal husbandry staff worldwide.

These professionals work tirelessly to ensure the health and well-being of animals, protect public health and support communities.

However, many battle mental health challenges that remain largely invisible to the public. As we acknowledge the dedication of animal care professionals, let us also shine a light on their struggles and remind them that they are not alone.

Hidden emotional toll

Caring for animals is more than just a job – it is a calling.

Animal care professionals dedicate their lives to treating sick or injured animals, supporting worried owners and making difficult decisions, such as limiting treatment options due to financial constraints, handling cases of neglect or abuse and, when necessary, performing humane euthanasia. While immensely rewarding, this work also carries an emotional burden.

Daily exposure to suffering, ethical dilemmas and high-pressure situations can lead to compassion fatigue, moral distress and burnout.

Compassion fatigue arises when professionals feel emotionally exhausted from constantly witnessing animal suffering. Moral distress occurs when they are forced to make difficult choices that conflict with their ethical beliefs, such as being unable to save an animal due to financial constraints.

These challenges can take a serious toll on animal care professionals, contributing to higher rates of depression, anxiety and even suicide, compared with the general population.

Long working hours, financial pressures, emotional strain and public misconceptions about professions involving the care of animals further intensify the burden.

The assumption that veterinarians and animal care professionals “play with animals all day” trivialises the stress they endure and the life-and-death decisions they face regularly.

Support their well-being

Animal healthcare professionals need care and support too. Beyond saying thank you, responsible pet ownership plays a crucial role.

Pet owners can support animal care professionals by doing thorough research before getting a pet, ensuring adequate financial and time commitment, monitoring their pet’s health closely and seeking early veterinary care.

Taking helpful videos and photos to aid in diagnosis can also assist veterinary professionals in providing the best care possible.

For animal care professionals, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Mental health resources are available, including counselling services, peer support groups and professional associations that provide well-being programmes. Helplines such as the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) at 1767 or the Singapore Veterinary Association’s support network can offer guidance and assistance.

Key steps forward

Mental health support must extend beyond veterinary clinics to include all workplaces where animal care professionals operate, such as shelters, farms, research facilities, wildlife conservation centres and zoos.

Practical steps include:

1. Fostering open communication within workplaces to encourage conversations about mental health without stigma.

2. Providing training on resilience and stress management to help professionals navigate the emotional toll of their work.

3. Implementing debriefing sessions after emotionally challenging cases to process experiences in a supportive environment.

4. Encouraging self-care routines, including setting boundaries, taking breaks and engaging in activities outside work.

5. Utilising stress-relief techniques, such as mindful breathing or havening (rubbing hands together or gently moving hands along the arms) to help lower stress levels.

A call for change

The struggles faced by animal care professionals are real, but they do not have to be faced alone. Whether you work in a clinic, shelter or farm, your work matters and support is available.

This World Veterinary Day, let us move beyond celebration to advocacy for mental health. Veterinary associations, government agencies and employers must prioritise workplace well-being, promote work-life balance and provide resources that help animal care professionals thrive.

If you are an animal care professional feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted colleague, a mental health professional or a support network.

Let us start conversations about mental health within animal care professions to ensure that those who dedicate their lives to animals receive the care, compassion and recognition they deserve.

• Dr Giana Gomes is a therapist at www.trueselfhealing.online, a veterinarian member of the Singapore Veterinary Association and a certified compassion fatigue professional. She provides workshops, talks and one-to-one coaching for animal care professionals dealing with burnout, empathy fatigue and related challenges.

JoinST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.