Writing non-fiction: a workshop for veterinary team members

The Vet Cookbook, spotted on a bookshelf in the UK!

If you’re experiencing low morale, you’re not alone. This blog is coming to you from Sydney, Australia, officially in week 8 (or 9, I am losing count) of hard (and getting incrementally harder) lock-down, but essentially week 12 because of a voluntarily lock-down preceding the official one (somehow it just didn't feel right interacting closely with people socially while COVID was re-emerging in Sydney).

The hard lock-downs necessitated by the circulation of the COVID-19 Delta strain seem to be taking their toll on everyone I know, in profound and sometimes heartbreaking ways.

One of my personal coping mechanisms is reading, usually whilst acting as a human hot water bottle for a certain cat in my life. There’s nothing like a gripping story – whether fiction or fact-based – to take your mind to another place. And reading is COVID safe!

Which brings me to the big news: the Vet Cookbook Committee has secured a brilliant author/teacher to run our second ever writing workshop for veterinary team members.

The first online workshop was taught by award-winning author Tracy Sorensen, who, among other things, is currently writing a cancer biography from the perspective of her abdominal organs. If you missed the workshop on creative writing but want to learn more, I recommend Tracy’s novel The LuckyGalah. A beautiful, richly evocative novel, both uplifting and surprising. I am waiting desperately for it to be made into a movie or series.

Our second online workshop, this time on narrative non-fiction, will be taught by author and school teacher Brendan James Murray. Brendan has twice received National Literary Awards from the Fellowship of Australian Writers for his short stories, and his first book, The Drowned Man, was joint winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best True Crime in 2017. His second book, the critically acclaimed Venom, was featured on the ABC's Conversations program as part of the 'Best of 2018' series (it is, along with the Lucky Galah, on my personal list of best Australian books of all time). His third book, The School was released by Picador Australia in 2021 and proved a gripping read.

This workshop is on narrative non-fiction.

Brendan James Murray, author of The Drowned Man, Venom and The School.

So, if you feel like you have a story – or a book – inside you, consider enrolling. And if you don't feel much like a writer but you enjoy a good read, the books by both of these authors are outstanding.

As I am sure I have mentioned, when we compiled the Vet Cookbook, it became clear that many members of our profession are terrified of being negatively judged (even about a recipe). This workshop is a safe space where veterinary team members are free to express themselves. 

There are 23 places left in the two-part workshop, to be held from September. The not-for-profit workshop is subsidised by funds raised by the Vet Cookbook to promote the well-being of veterinary team members.

For more information and to enroll, check this page. Enrollment is open to all veterinary team members, regardless of their writing ability.

Updates on palliative end of life care and companion animals, companion animal euthanasia and Companion Animal Rescue Awards

 

One silver lining of the global pandemic has been the widespread availability of accessible continuing professional development. If you’re in hard lockdown, as we are here at SAT HQ, it’s a good time to update or upskill. 

And you don’t need to organise someone to dog, cat, bird or other-species sit while you travel to a conference. While I’ve been learning, Hero has been fast asleep on my desk, dreaming away while I listen (most recently to the ANZCVS online Science Week series).

Another silver lining of the pandemic is that people who cohabit with senior animals who find themselves in hard lockdown are able to ensure their comfort 24. However, animals who are very old or at the approaching the end of their lifespan may suffer declines in quality of life, due to various conditions and afflictions. Some of these can be managed to improve quality of life.

In just over a week on Saturday August 7 I will be taking part in the Australian Veterinary Palliative Care Virtual Education Event, a four-hour conference which will cover a range of topics including:

• Symptom burden and prognosis: lessons learned from the human healthcare model (Jackie Campbell)
• Is a natural death better for companion animals (than a veterinary assisted death) (myself)
• Night walking in geriatric dogs (Heather Chee)
• Lumbosacral disease in dogs: a physiotherapists approach (Brooke Williams)
• Management of chronic nausea and vomiting (Gemma Birnie)
• Preparing clients for loss: conversations and resources every practice should have (Rosie Overfield)

For more information or to register, visit www.avpcac.com/conference or email admin@avpcac.com

As always, discussions of end of life care can be upsetting, and do raise deep philosophical questions. I’ve just written this reflection on ethically indicated euthanasia in companion animal practice. You can access it here: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/8/8/141  

Finally, if you have not already entered the Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards, now is the time to do so as entries close on July 31.

Categories include Volunteer of the Year, Foster Carer Story and People’s Rescue Story. To find out how to enter, visit: https://rescueawards.com.au/

I have supported these awards every year since they began as a volunteer judge because they acknowledge and promote the incredible, innovative, compassionate and very hard work of those committed to finding companion animals suitable, safe homes.

If you are going to enter, don’t leave it to the last minute – the entries do take a bit of time, and the judging is rigorous.

Stay safe.

Veterinary Bibliotherapy: Burnout – A Guide to Identifying Burnout and Pathways to Recovery

“...you might suppose that burnout rates would be highest in those whose work simply because they have to, be less evident in those whose work furnishes them with a career, and lowest of all in those who are passionate about their work. We, however, argue that the inverse applies, as burnout rates appear lowest in those who work simply as a job, higher in those who view their work as a career, and highest in those whose work is at the level of a 'calling'.”

(Gordon Parker, Gabriela Tavella and Kerrie Eyers, Burnout: A guide to identifying burnout and pathways to recovery.

Burnout is a hot topic right now, particularly in the veterinary profession due a proliferation of recent studies documenting high levels of burnout among veterinary team members.

When I first heard the term, I can't pinpoint the date but I'm guessing two decades ago, burnout seemed very much framed around the individual. Maybe people who went too hard and, like a candle, simply burned to the wick. When I began my career, people said “don’t work too hard or you’ll burn out”, as if there were a threshold level of work beyond which burnout became a certainty.

In contrast, people were also saying things like “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”, “immersion is the key to success”, and “you need to get as much experience as you can”. People talked about work-life balance, but they behaved according to the mantra that good veterinary team members worked hard.

Since then, there seems to be much debate about the biggest problems in our profession: is our main scourge compassion fatigue? Empathy fatigue? Moral distress? Secondary trauma? Burnout? Which of these are responsible for career attrition or rates of suicide in our profession?

It is against this background that I read Burnout: A Guide to Identifying Burnout and Pathways to Recovery by Gordon Parker, Gabriela Tavella and Kerrie Eyers (Allen &Unwin). This book manages to discuss, in an engaging way, the evolution of the understanding of burnout, what it is, and what it isn't, and what we need to do about it.

Burnout isn't a medical diagnosis (at least not yet). According to the World Health Organisation InternationalClassification of Diseases (ICD-11, 2018), burnout is a syndrome comprising

• feelings of energy depletion/exhaustion
• increased feelings of detachment from one's work, or feelings of cynicism or negativity
• decreased professional efficiency. 

According to the authors of Burnout, compassion fatigue may be a component of burnout, “being part of a broader 'inability to feel' or lack of joie de vievre”.

The authors explain that there is no single magic bullet, no single brain or endocrine pathology to target, no proven pharmacological cure, and no one-size- fits-all plan to treat burnout. They do stress that any strategy requires addressing both the worker and work conditions. The individual and the system they work within. And by work they also mean the work of carers.

Most scientific papers I've read on burnout to date utilise the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure burnout. The authors of this book developed the Sydney Burnout Measure (SBM), and used it to perform a number of large studies on burnout which they argue revealed different features of burnout. One example is the presence of cognitive impairment, which may manifest as difficulty concentrating or poor memory. They also found an association between perfectionism and burnout. Relatable?

The authors talk about occupations at high risk, including doctors, nurses, lawyers, managers, police and veterinarians.

According to Professor Parker, factors increasing the burnout risk for veterinarians include long hours, high university debt, low remuneration, difficult interactions with clients, animal death and euthanasia. High levels of perfectionism have been reported among veterinary professionals.

“Prevention strategies would require addressing salient drivers and handling perfectionism,” he said.

While burnout isn't a medical diagnosis, the authors warn that employers should take appropriate precautions and limit liability.

The book outlines the key components of addressing burnout:

• addressing work issues
• adopting strategies to manage stress
• address the trait of perfectionism

It contains a number of in-depth case studies, as well as mentions of well-known figures who have been alleged to have burnt out over time. I didn't know, for example, that Florence Nightingale and William Osler likely suffered from severe burnout at times in their illustrious careers.

The book's appendix contains the Sydney Burnout Measure, a checklist of workplace triggers and a perfectionism scale.

Overall this is a very readable book. It is based on science, and written by the scientists who undertook the studies it is based on, yet it is accessible and even – I dare say – enjoyable to read. 

How can pet owners get the most out of low and no-contact veterinary visits

 

Social distancing in veterinary settings is critical to ensure ongoing veterinary care.

New South Wales, the state from which this blog comes to you, is in hard lockdown. That means hardship for many people, but it also means the return of low and no-contact veterinary visits.

Low and no-contact veterinary visits are designed to maximise social distancing between all humans involved to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

You can still take your companion animal to the vet.

But the experience may be different to the vet visits you are used to.

At the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic I undertook research on ethically challengingsituations encountered by veterinary teams. One of the major issues that emerged was being able to attend to animals (our core work) while also keeping ourselves and our families safe. Low and no-contact consultations, and confusion associated these, was one cause of stress.

So, how can companion animal owners access necessary care for their animals while also ensuring the safety of veterinary team members?

1.     Let the vet team know you are coming.

Book ahead for an appointment or, if a genuine emergency, phone and let the team know that you are coming.

Different clinics may have different protocols, for example some may require you to wait with your animal while others may allow you to drop off animals.

2.     Prepare in advance.

Veterinarians usually take a history when they see a companion animal. This isn’t just chit-chat – it includes vital information which directs assessment of the patient and further investigations.

Broadly, a history can be divided into two parts:

General history.

This includes general information about a companion animal including what they are normally fed (meals, snacks AND treats); their normal activity levels and exercise routines; and lifestyle factors, for example whether they are indoors or outdoors, have contact with other animals or have a history of travel. This also includes medication (including complementary and alternative medicines) and supplements taken. Where possible it helps to provide the name of the medication, the dose and how often it is given (e.g. ½ of a 50mg tablet morning and night). Finally, if your pet has any allergies (for example to medication) or intolerances (for example to food) it helps to know this in advance.

Specific history.

This relates to the reason for coming in. What is the problem or problems? When did it begin? What are the symptoms you have noticed and how have they progressed? Were there any changes in the lead up to the onset of symptoms? (For example, I saw a dog with a three-day history of vomiting. The day before that, she was fed a leg of lamb).

Our research revealed that communication between veterinary team members and clients is more challenging during the time of COVID. For example, some veterinary team members reported that it was hard to hear or be heard clearly while wearing masks; others struggled in non-contact consultations because neither they nor the client could point to an area on the animal’s body.

If you have multiple concerns that you want addressed, write it down. This helps reduce miscommunication.

If symptoms are intermittent, infrequent or episodic (like coughing or limping that comes and goes) it can be useful to take a video to share with your veterinary team. If there is a concern relating to a site on the patient’s body (for example, a wound or a lump) it can be helpful to take photos – both from a distance and also close up.

3.     Be proactive.

If your pet is typically very fearful or shows signs of reactivity (e.g. barking, growling, lunging, licking lips or muzzle) or aggression in a veterinary setting, let the team know so they can work with you to plan the best strategy.

4.     Follow the Government advice.

If you are sick, awaiting the results of a COVID test or isolating, have someone else bring your animal to the vet, or contact your veterinary team for advice.

Just like anywhere else, if you do enter a veterinary facility, wear a mask, sanitise your hands and check in using the QR code provided.

It is important that your mask stays on even when you are talking. Often people want to remove their mask when they are speaking to ensure they speak clearly – but you need to avoid doing so.

Wherever possible, only ONE person should accompany the animal to the vet.

5.     Please be patient.

Right now, veterinary clinics may be very busy. This is due to a number of factors including: staff shortages; increased staff absenteeism (for example, due to COVID testing and isolation); a large number of animal adoptions during the pandemic and the need to minimise foot traffic in veterinary hospitals.

While you wait, please practice social distancing, i.e. don’t gather with other waiting clients.

You may need to wait outside of the building – please ensure all pets are contained (cats in carriers, dogs on leads); and bring a book.

Make sure your phone is charged and switched on.

Veterinary bibliotherapy: How Stella Learned to Talk

 

Imagine if your dog could communicate with you using words.

This post is coming to you live from Sydney, where an escalating number of COVID-19 cases have triggered a two-week lockdown. This is a good excuse for some veterinary bibliotherapy. This week I want to introduce a non-fiction page-turner, How Stella Learned to Talk.

As a veterinarian, I often wish I could talk to animals and ask, where does it hurt? What did you eat? (maybe even “why?!”). Even more, I wish I could talk to them and allay their concerns: “it’s just one needle” or “this will make you feel better” or even “just keep still for a moment and I will pull this grass seed out!”.

Enter Stella, a 3-year-old Blue Heeler/Catahoula cross. Her owner, Christina Hunger, is a speech-language pathologist with a special interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She works primarily with toddlers who have significant delays in language development. She also has the patience of a saint, which helps.

It also helped her model the use of a home-made AAC device for Stella, who can communicate 48 words on her device and can create sentences 5 words long. Her favourite words are OUTSIDE and PLAY.

Christina noticed that, as a puppy, Stella met milestones of communication that toddlers meet, like crying to get attention, turning her head to a voice, maintaining eye contact, anticipating feeding and responding to a request to come here. She observed that dogs don’t simply respond to the tone of our voices – they understand some words (hence people spell out words like W-A-L-K if they don’t want their dog to get excited).

Christina asked herself what would happen if she implemented speech therapy interventions with her puppy? She did NOT ask herself “how do I get Stella to push these buttons to say words.”

Christina’s relationship with Stella is based on presuming competence (“treating from the fundamental understanding that everyone can learn, and everyone has something to say”), listening intently, modelling responses and trying new things.  Christina work’s with Stella’s intrinsic motivation to communicate – it isn’t a reward based system.

This is a fascinating, highly readable book, rich with descriptions of incredible interactions, like this one.

“When daylight saving time arrived in November, we turned our clocks back one hour. Stella showed us, once again, how routine based she is. Between 3:30 and 4:00pm, she repeatedly requested to “eat”. This would have been 4:30 or 5:00 before the time change, which was completely normal for her. But I did not want to feed her dinner so early and throw her off for our workweek ahead. I gave Stella a couple of treats to tide her over but kept saying “No eat now, eat later”.

Fifteen minutes passed.

“Help eat,” Stella said then barked.

“I know, Stella, good waiting. Eat later.”

Stella sighed. She stood still for about ten seconds.

“Love you, no” she said. Stella walked away, into the bedroom.

Imagine if your dog could “speak” to you like that?

Not only does Christina document, in detail and summarising at the end of each chapter, how she taught Stella to use AAC. She also explains how humans  learn to communicate, and how we use words.

For example, I had no idea that around 80 per cent of everything we say consists of a paltry 300-400 words. Core words are verbs, adjectives, pronouns, adverbs. Fringe words are specific words that have more limited use. Thus EAT is a core word, while BREAKFAST, LUNCH or DINNER are fringe words.

One of the things that surprised me was that Stella did not simply produce a list of demands with her words. She used language to make observations, for example saying “water” when she watched Christina water her plants.

I don’t expect that this book is going to produce a generation of talking dogs, although there are other dogs using AAC around the world. Very few people have the patience to model words as much and as consistently as Christina and her partner Jake did for Stella. And Stella’s AAC is not available to her everywhere. Its not like a handheld device she can take with her on walks.

But the example of Stella, and Christina's book, may result in more people presuming competence in animals. 

This is a must-read for anyone who works with or shares their life with animals.

How Stella Learned to Talk is published by Allen & Unwin (RRP $32.99). (I just received an email from my local bookshop stating that the doors are closed during lockdown, but they're taking orders online and over the phone and postage is free, so its a good time to support local businesses if you can). You can follow Stella on instagram @hunger4words 

Veterinary bibliotherapy: awe

 

An awesome creature resting next to a book about awe.

“Something happens when you dive into a world where clocks don’t tick and inboxes don’t ping. As your arms circle, swing and pull along the edge of a vast ocean, your mind wanders, and you open yourself to awe, to the experience of seeing something astonishing, unfathomable or greater than yourself.” Julia Baird, Phosphorescence, p23

It wasn’t until I read Julia Baird’s bestselling biography/meditation on photoluminescence, that I really reflected on awe. What is awesome? What generates awe within us?

According to Jonah Paquette, author of Awestruck: How embracing wonder can make you happier, healthier and more connected, awe is a feeling of perceptual or conceptual vastness, combined with experience that transcends our understanding, and forces us to accommodate new information from a different, perhaps bigger, perspective.

Emerging research on awe shows that it makes us feel less alone, diminishing the ego and giving us a sense of the greater forces that surround us.

Awe can be negative – its origins relate to fright or terror, particularly in relation to a divine being – or positive. That negative type of awe can be a powerful driver for change, and even ethical conduct. Awestruck focuses more on positive awe.

Research has shown that awe makes us kinder, more generous, and more curious about the world. Studies have shown that awe has a number of psychological benefits, including increasing satisfaction, making us less materialistic, reducing stress, helping us grow and change and making us more humble.

At a biological level in humans, awe may be associated with reduced levels of inflammatory interleukins – could it have an anti-inflammatory effect?

Could awe be anti-inflammatory?

If all this is true, that seems a good reason to cultivate awe, which is what the second half of Awestruck is devoted to.

First, it is helpful to understand the many forces that can blunt or crush awe: anxiety, multi-tasking, addictive technology, habits, routine, desensitisation…the same forces that nibble away at our wellbeing.

Paquette discusses strategies to minimise the awe-crushers, for example limiting exposure to addictive technology.

But he and Baird also talk about strategies to deliberately seek out awe: for example, disrupting our habitual existence, doing small things differently, and being mindful of the world around us.

According to Baird, “One of the more surprising findings of recent research is how commonly awe can be found: in museums, theatres, parks, ponds, while listening to a busker, or even, surprisingly, in microdoses, while watching a commercial or reading a story.”p31

There are so many potential sources of awe, but a strong theme emerges from both Awestruck and Phosphorescence: one of the most common and powerful sources of awe is the natural world.

The natural world is a consistent source of awe.

And that is probably what resonates with me the most. When I think about awesome experiences, the common factor is animal life. Whether its hearing the exquisite soft snoring of a cat in a deep sleep, or observing a horse grazing in a paddock, animals are a constant source of awe. Neither of these books are written with a veterinary audience in mind, but when I talk to friends and colleagues about what drove us into the profession, and what sustains it, there is often a sense of awe.

These books provide compelling arguments for seeking and cultivating awe, and provide some -practical suggestions about how to do so. Awe-chasing seems like a very valuable use of one’s time.

They also provide compelling reasons for protecting these sources of awe, most of which are threatened by our unsustainable lifestyles.

2021 Companion Animal Rescue Awards - now open for entry!

(c) Jo Lyons Photography 2021.

Coronavirus isolation led to a surge in pet adoptions over the past year, saving thousands of animal lives. The Companion Animal Rescue Awards returns for its fourth year to celebrate and inspire rescue groups and animal shelters who have made an impact and continue their efforts in saving companion animals.

 

The Rescue Awards is Australia’s first and only national awards program for hard working rescues, shelters, foster carers and passionate pet adopters. The program is managed by Pets4Life, an independent education resource for cat and dog guardians and those thinking of getting a pet.

 

At a celebration with guests from Greyhound Rescue, 2020 Outstanding Rescue Group winner, the Rescue Awards welcomed Pet Insurance Australia as the new Platinum Rescue Hero and Naming Partner. The program is now called the ‘Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards 2021’.

(c) Caroline Zambrano, Pet Journo.  

“The Rescue Awards is absolutely delighted to welcome Pet Insurance Australia as our new Naming Partner,” said Cathy Beer, pet adoption advocate and founder of the Rescue Awards and Pets4Life.

 

“Pet Insurance Australia is one of our wonderful founding Supporters, right from the start in 2018. Pet insurance is critical to ensure pets receive top quality veterinary treatment and care. This fine Australian family-owned business brings an international reputation for excellence and a caring approach to their customers seeking pet insurance.”

 

The mission of the Rescue Awards is to celebrate and acknowledge achievements in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of companion animals in Australia. It is the platform to showcase excellence and innovation, thereby raising the standards of rescue groups and animals shelters nation-wide.

(c) Jo Lyons photography, 2021.

 

“The Rescue Awards shines the spotlight on thousands of heart-warming stories from pet adopters and foster carers about how their adopted/foster pet has transformed and changed lives,” said Cathy.

 

Every year, approximately 190,000 pets remain unclaimed in Australia’s pounds and shelters, and thousands of volunteers support over 1,000 rescue groups and animal shelters across Australia¹. The Rescue Awards recognises the dedication of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to help rescue pets find homes.

 

“Our past winners and finalists say the recognition by the Rescue Awards gives their staff and volunteers the motivation to ‘keep calm and carry on’ re-homing surrendered and abandoned pets every day in a challenging environment,” said Cathy.

 

In 2021, the Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards is building on the success of 2020 when over 1,000 entries were received.

 

Returning as the Rescue Awards Ambassador is Lara Shannon, Certified Dog Trainer, Animal Welfare Advocate, author of ‘Eat, Play Love your Dog’, Host of Channel 10’s Pooches at Play and features in Channel 9s The Pet Rescuers. Lara shares her enthusiasm for the Rescue Awards in her video message.

 

Pet Insurance Australia Spokesperson Nadia Crighton said, “Pet Insurance Australia is thrilled to be the Platinum Rescue Hero and Naming Partner for the Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards for 2021.”

 

Ali Osmani, Pet Insurance Australia CEO, said, "After supporting these important awards for the past four years, it's a great honour to continue our support in a larger capacity. We encourage Australian rescues and shelters who work tirelessly to rehome, rehabilitate and foster pets of all shapes and sizes to enter and get the recognition they deserve."

 

Cathy also revealed this year’s Judges, Categories, Supporters and Prizes, and thanks animal lovers across the country for helping to make a difference by adopting or fostering a pet.

 

Rescue Award Categories

The Rescue Awards 2021 has 10 Categories with one winner for each category.

 

Award categories 1 – 8 are for industry. Category 9, the People’s Rescue Story’ is for Aussie pet guardians who have adopted a pet and category 10 is the Foster Carer Story’ for foster carers of companion animals waiting for their forever home.

 

PET INSURANCE AUSTRALIA RESCUE

AWARDS 2021 CATEGORIES

 

1.        Outstanding Rescue Group

2.        Outstanding New Rescue Group

3.        Outstanding Animal Shelter

4.        Outstanding Council Animal Shelter

5.        Innovation in Companion Animal Welfare and Management

6.        Community Education and Outreach Program

7.        Volunteer of the Year

8.        Refuel Creative Digital Marketing

9.        People’s Rescue Story

10.    Foster Carer Story

A note on my involvement

What is my role? I have volunteered as a judge for the Companion Animal Rescue Awards since their inception.

What does it involve? the judging is extremely rigorous. The applications are extensive – designed to enable those in Companion Animal Rescue to be recognised for their work they do, but also to ensure they are meeting high standards. If I have a conflict of interest with a particular individual or organisation, I don’t assess that application. There are several rounds of judging to ensure the panel is comfortable and confident with the decision. Category winners can be assured that they have really achieved recognition.

Why am I doing this? Here and in many parts of the world we continue to have a surplus of companion animals – but this is reducing. The field of companion animal rescue has evolved so much in the last decade, and there are individuals and organisations innovating to reduce length of stay in shelters, maximise rehoming rates and maximise animal welfare. To ensure this improvement continues, we need to make sure that those people doing the RIGHT thing are recognised, and that effective innovations can be shared.

Personally, I am also impressed that the Companion Animal Rescue Awards recognise not just animal welfare, but the welfare of those working in this field – one singled out for high rates of moral stress and burnout in published literature. We need to make sure that systems are sustainable, and that individuals and organisations recognised share compassion not just with animals, but also the teams who look after them.

What next? I encourage you to enter, but don’t wait until the last minute. The application process is comprehensive. You will need to think about the responses, gather the relevant information, and spend a bit of time. You might realise there is an area you hadn’t thought about before – that’s part of the benefit of entering these awards.