# Factors Associated with Compassion Fatigue in Assistance Animal Trainers in Australia—A Qualitative Investigation

## TL;DR

This study explores compassion fatigue and satisfaction in Australian assistance animal trainers, identifying job demands and resources that affect their wellbeing.

## Contribution

The study identifies compassion fatigue as a previously unrecognized psychosocial hazard in assistance animal trainers.

## Key findings

- Compassion fatigue signs were found in assistance animal trainers due to job demands like animal welfare concerns and client wellbeing.
- Trainers reported both negative impacts (compassion fatigue) and positive impacts (compassion satisfaction) from their work.
- Resources such as resilience and employer support were found to help trainers manage job-related stress.

## Abstract

Compassion fatigue refers to the negative psychological toll associated with caring for others. It is a common issue for people working in the helping professions, such as nurses and aged care workers. It has also been observed in people working with animals, like veterinarians. Assistance animal (AA) trainers may also be at risk of compassion fatigue, because they work closely with both animals and vulnerable people, training animals to support people with disabilities. However, research into AA trainers is limited. We interviewed six trainers to identify the stressors (i.e., demands) inherent in their job, but also what helps them do their job well (i.e., resources). Demands included concerns about animal welfare, client wellbeing, and navigating an industry with very little regulation. Resources included personal characteristics like resilience, but also support from their employer, like mental health first aid training. We also found signs of compassion fatigue and its counterpoint, compassion satisfaction, where people experience positive feelings about their work. Future research should adapt these findings into a large-scale, quantitative study with similar aims. Assistance animal training organizations can use this knowledge to implement programs aimed at enhancing wellbeing and reducing stress for their trainers.

Assistance animal (AA) trainers could develop compassion satisfaction (CS) but also compassion fatigue (CF), due to potential exposure to suffering through working with people with disabilities. The negative outcomes associated with CF could result in fewer trainers and longer wait times for people in need. Using the Job Demands–Resources Model (JD-R), this study aimed to qualitatively identify the demands and resources of AA trainers and explore signs of CF and CS. Six trainers participated in semi-structured interviews, and five themes were identified. The Demands theme represented challenges trainers experienced, such as concerns about animal welfare and client wellbeing. The Resources theme represented personal characteristics and job aspects that assisted the trainers, like resilience and formal support from the employer. Negative Impacts included signs of CF and represented how participants were negatively affected by their job. Similarly, Positive Impacts included signs of CS and represented how participants were positively affected. Misguided Trainer Expectations represented the expectations trainers had starting the job compared to the reality of the role. The discovery of CF signs provides evidence of a previously unidentified psychosocial hazard for trainers. These findings should be used by training organizations to better support trainers.