Compassion Resilience Project: Support for the animal care and use community!

Posted on Thursday, September 21st, 2023

Written by Isidora Nezic, Wellness@Work Advisor

When supporting animals used in research, it is common for staff to experience emotional distress, fatigue and burn-out due to compassionate caring. Compassion resilience is therefore extremely important to develop and foster by ensuring animal care and use staff feel valued and emotionally supported.

The Compassion Resilience Project is facilitated by the Compassion Resilience Committee (CRC), U of G members of the animal care & use community.

Mission Statement: The CRC will foster a culture of compassion and resiliency to ensure that the animal care and use community feels valued and emotionally supported while upholding the highest standards of animal ethics at the U of G.

This mission will be achieved by providing resources (virtual and in-person) that will:

Foster a safe space to discuss experiences.
Offer tips and tools for building and maintaining resilience in the animal care setting.
Instill feelings of value, community-connection, and fun.

Compassionate Chat Circles

What is it?

A safe space for peer-to-peer support within the animal care and use community. The Compassionate Chat Circle is not facilitated by mental health professionals and is not a counselling group.

This resource is for: U of G employees and students working directly or in-directly with animals in research and/or teaching.

What should I expect?

1-hour in-person gathering led by 2 peers with discussion starters, leading to a group conversation.

Make sure to register for the dates above!

Get to know the Facilitators

	Alyssa Furtado BIO: I am currently working as a weekender, weekend research animal technician and animal surveillance technician at the Central Animal Facility and providing oversight to other research facilities at the University of Guelph. I completed an BSc in animal biology, and have worked in research with Dr. Nuria Daviu and Dr. Vahab Farzan. I also worked as a Research Animal Technician at the Central Animal Facility. I am passionate about supporting individuals with compassion fatigue. I enjoy dancing, painting, journaling, and hanging out with my friends, and with my pet guinea pig and gecko.
	Audrey Setaih BIO: Hello! I am a master's student studying the neuroendocrine mechanisms of learning and memory. I enjoy reading, hanging out with my dog, cooking, and red light. I look forward to seeing new and old faces at CCC.
	Theresa Martin BIO: I am a master’s in science (Neuro) graduate with an RLAT. My main passions focus on topics in animal-human relationships, refinement of procedures and compassion fatigue resiliency amongst the animal care & use community. I am at my happiest when I am backpacking, speaking French or playing the ukulele.
	Léna Levison BIO: I am a veterinarian who has been with Animal Care Services for 10 years and I also work in the Saputo Dairy Care Program with CCSAW & Pop. Med. Earlier I worked as a mixed animal veterinarian and completed an MSc in animal behaviour and welfare. I have two crazy Boston terriers, like to sing and play volleyball. I love to talk, I love to listen and look forward to meeting you at the CCC.
	Jana Michaud BIO: I am a Registered Master Lab Animal Technician (RMLAT) and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) at the Human Health and Nutritional science dept. My passion is training and teaching students about the animals we work with and sharing the joy of success with them. Outside of work, I enjoy CrossFit, Highland dancing with my girls and spending time at my cottage with my girls, husband and three dogs.