One of the greatest obstacles to developing animal welfare leaders is the very thing that brings people into the field in the first place: compassion. Unfortunately, unless people who work with animals learn how to keep themselves emotionally healthy and balanced while doing this important work, they’ll be at high risk of leaving their job, depression, anxiety, physical illness and even suicide.
The Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida is once again offering its powerful course on “Compassion Fatigue Strategies” with certified compassion fatigue educator Jessica Dolce.
“When we’re stressed, fatigued, lacking empathy, and burned out, it compromises our ability to do good work,” Dolce said in an interview on the UF website. “The healthier we are, the more able we are to do to ethical, good work for the long haul. I am selfishly teaching this because I want all these talented, compassionate people to be around to do this work!”
Students in the course will learn how to:
- Recognize signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue
- Manage your stress levels and increase your self-care practices
- Connect with the rewards of your work
- Build your resiliency
- Commit to making successful changes in your life and in your organization
“Compassion Fatigue Strategies” runs from March 13-May 7, 2017, and is conducted entirely online. The fee is $200, and the course is eligible for 15 hours of CE.
More information and a registration link are available on the course website.