Atlantic Canada - May, 2010

• "Thank you! I would recommend the Resilient Animal Care Worker workshop to all animal care persons of any field. Dr. Comley was easy to listen to, supportive and provided great resources" -Jen Eastwood, Fredericton SPCA, Shelter Manager



What I Learned

• "Strategies to facilitate conversations and the ability to “normalize” compassion fatigue" -Jen Eastwood, Fredericton SPCA, Shelter Manager
• "I learned that you must look out for yourself first, animals second" -Betty Lahey, Animal Attendant/Groomer
• "I need to remain mindful – of work, of what I cannot reasonably accomplish, of how much I take home with me, of that I am just one person, and it is NOT my job or responsibility to control everything around me." -Shelly Rogers, Shelter Manager
• "That stress is to be accepted in our jobs. We chose our occupation and the roller coaster affect can be managed with a “Tool Box.”" -Anne Metler, Dog Supervisor
• "Thinking positively and taking a step back from hostel situations" -Amanda, Animal Attendant




What topics would you like to explore further?

• "I would love to see more of this type of training for vet staff. We deal with the clients of longtime loved pets, can’t afford to go further with care, we try very hard not to euthanize the healthy for Nuisance reasons (moved) we have re-homed sometimes. But I’ve also euthanized a litter of pups because epilepsy showed up in Mom upsetting for all staff, vet, and breeder." -Jody Nicholson, Vet Assistant/Receptionist
• "Your book! I would love to have it" -April Salnier, Animal Attendant
• "Similar tasks aimed towards the vetenary community" -Colleen Brat DVM, Veterinarian Douglas Animal Hospital
• "Bringing these into the shelter and using the ideas and structures" -Christine Thibadeau, Shelter worker at FSPCA
• "How to recognize stressors" -Karen McGeean, VP. Board of Directors FSPCA; owner countrycatz sanctuary




How did the facilitator contribute to your training?

• "Helped understand what we were feeling" -Cathy Lawson, Monctons SPCA Animal Attendant
• "Good visual aids, well paced discussions" -Colleen Brat DVM, Veterinarian Douglas Animal Hospital
• "Made it all very interesting" -Lyne Stairs, Animal Attendant
• "With the mental imaging exercise I realize there is a safe place to go when necessary. Hope is within ourselves to heal ourselves." -Anne Metler, Dog Supervisor
• "Awesome" -Jody Nicholson, Vet Assistant/Receptionist
• "As a manager, as well as an animal attendant, I can not only use this training for myself but also am excited to have the information to pass unto them." -Amey Morris, RVT Shelter Manager
• "Gave a great base of information to take back to the shelter and implement" -Jen Eastwood, Fredericton SPCA, Shelter Manager



Further Comments

• "I enjoyed this workshop, and it has taught me a lot new things" -Christine Thibadeau, Shelter worker at FSPCA
• "Excellent workshop, could talk and stay longer!" -Karen McGeean, VP. Board of Directors FSPCA; owner countrycatz sanctuary
• "I found it helpful that Dr. Comley was able to put in context a problem that many of us have experienced but few of us have herd defined and strategies to cope" -Colleen Brat DVM, Veterinarian Douglas Animal Hospital
• "I enjoyed this workshop very much" -Brigitte Andrews, Supervisor
• "Very much enjoyed the session and found the information very helpful" -Josie Charlebais, Animal Care Attendant
• "Awesome seminar" -April Salnier, Animal Attendant




Previous Seminars

• “This was a wonderful day of self-reflection and learning. Pat is a wonderful teacher, facilitator and coach.”-Christa Chadwick, Director, Animal Care, Ontario SPCA
• “I think Pat has done a great job identifying the potential struggles encountered by Animal Shelter Workers. Using her various methods and self awareness techniques will definitely come in handy, not only for myself, but for all of the staff.”-Jaime Flood, Team Leader – Animal Adoptions, York Region OSPCA
• “Great Seminar. We will put the many tools to work in the shelter and hopefully assist many staff members.”-Denise Stephenson, Shelter Manager, OSPCA
• “I found the seminar very informative and useful. I will take the information back to my co-workers. Thanks, I enjoyed it!”-Kristina Ciurluini, Greeter/Receptionist, Mississauga Oakville Emerge Hospital
• “Very informative!”-Lise Levesque, Animal Protection Officer
• “I have some renewed confidence that perhaps I can actually make changes with the right combination of determination and support.”-Joanna Beasley, Adoption Counsellor
• “Keep up your great work and insights. I look forward to attending more of your workshops/seminars, and education – all the best to you.”-Joilene Sholtes, Agent, OSPCA Team
• “Pat opened my eyes to something I had never even thought about - compassion fatigue. She helped me realize what I need to do to better myself. Pat is wonderful, I hope to see her again”.-Amanda Chamberlain ACA3
• “Pat’s Facilitation enforced hope and strength in yourself!”-Genevieve Reisinger, Animal Behaviour Coordinator
• “This has been a wonderful session to focus on our Inner Self – Pat delivered and guided us through a positive way that we can use to improve our work and life balance.”-Andrea Macdonald, Shelter Supervisor, Mississauga Animal Services
• “Dr Comley is an excellent facilitator on this important topic. She puts forward the information in a way that facilitates understanding and her genuine interest in the compassion fatigue topic comes through very strongly.”-Du Rose, Manager, Mississauga Animal Services
• “I enjoyed the session. It was very informative.”-Teresa Knights, Shelter Officer, Mississauga Animal Services
• “Very interesting! I will read some of the books Pat suggested.”-Donna Van Zuphen, Shelter Officer, Mississauga Animal Services
• “The facilitator contributed to my training by – just listening.”-Lesley Booton, Road Officer, Mississauga Animal Services

What was the most important thing you learned from this workshop?

• “Have hope, be positive and focus on how you can make things better. Remember the things you do that are positive. I am not alone. Pat re-enforced “hope” and “strength in yourself!”- LGenevieve Reisinger, Animal Behaviour Coordinator
• “I learned ways to cope with my feelings – to stop, assess the situation, breathe, and then act on it. Pat opened my eyes to something I had never even thought about – compassion fatigue. She helped me realize what I need to do to better myself. Pat is wonderful, I hope to see her again.” -Amanda Chamberlain, ACA3
• "That others are going through some of the same issues, emotions etc. It provided aids in becoming empowered to change ourselves. Also, it was great having resources to help cope with individual needs (i.e. books, meetings etc.)” -Joilene Sholtes, Agent, OSPCA Team
• “That compassion fatigue “does” exist and “is” real!” -Rexanne Bridger, Adoption Counsellor, Oakville Humane Society
• “I learned how to identify possible Compassion Fatigue in others.” -Denise Stephenson, Shelter Manager, OSPCA
• “I learned that there are many people in the animal care field that experience the same issues.” -Angela Brodhagenl, Animal Services Officer
• “ I learned that I am not alone and we need help!” -Jessica Wood, Program Coordinator
• “Self Care. Lots of animal caregivers experience this. The workshop was well worth it!” -Kristina Ciurluini, Greeter/Receptionist, Mississauga Oakville Emerge Hospital
• “That I am not alone, other people deal/struggle with the same problems I do.” -Stephanie Schuhmann, ACA2
• “It was helpful to recognize that a lot of what I go through at work truly does impact my personal life. I don’t think I realized that I brought it home as much as I did. I think I would like to learn more about how to make changes and move forward with ideas that I think would greatly improve my satisfaction with my work and improve my workplace.” -Joanna Beasley, Adoption Counsellor
• “I learned the importance of pursuing self care.” -Andrea, Oakville Humane Society
• “The need of self care stuck in my mind. Also, there are lots of animal caregivers experiencing compassion fatigue.” -Kristina Ciurluini, Greeter/Receptionist, Mississauga Oakville Emerge Hospital
• “I learned ways to cope with my feelings. To stop, assess the situation, breathe, act on it.” -Amanda Chamberlain, ACA3
• “Recognizing my choices are not right or wrong but I do get to make a choice.” -Brenda Watson, Mississauga Animal Services
• “That we are all in the same boat. We all have the same challenges.” -Teresa Knights, Shelter Officer, Mississauga Animal Services
• “Being positive and in control of yourself” -Nancy McCarthy, By-Law Officer, Mississauga Animal Services
• “Understanding Compassion Fatigue, it’s effects, and how to deal with it.” -Du Rose, Manager, Mississauga Animal Services