Description
Veterinary medicine is a profession uniquely exposed to high levels of stress and trauma, often far exceeding that of other workplaces. While some stressors are unavoidable, others can be managed with appropriate strategies. Although veterinary professionals are trained in addressing trauma related to animal care, many are not prepared to recognize and support human trauma experienced by clients and colleagues due to a lack of awareness and training in this area. This gap can lead to unresolved trauma, which negatively impacts professional well-being, team dynamics, and the quality of care provided to patients and clients. In this session, we will explore the various forms of human trauma encountered in veterinary medicine and their impacts. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for individuals, teams, and practices to begin the process of healing and enhancing their capacity for recovery from trauma exposure.
Learning Objectives
- Identify principles of trauma-informed workplaces.
- Identify ways to embed debriefing into veterinary hospitals as a way of managing exposure to stress and trauma.
- Explain the importance of nervous system health as a way of managing exposure to stress and trauma.
- Identify ways stress and trauma impact individuals, teams and hospitals.
- Define stress and trauma, including common examples in veterinary medicine.
