Kollias Nathaniel S, Strand Elizabeth B, Kogan Lori R, Houlihan Kendall E, Thompson-Iritani Sally, Hoenig Donald E, Ng Zenithson Y, Hart Lynette A
1Animal Welfare Division, AVMA, Schaumburg, IL.
2College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2023 Jan 23;261(2):185-192. doi: 10.2460/javma.22.06.0234.
The veterinary profession has a unique responsibility to animals during the final stages of their lives. The veterinarian's obligations extend to humane endings, involving all species of animals in a range of circumstances including, but not limited to, euthanasia of individually owned animals, euthanasia of animals for research purposes, depopulation of animals during emergencies, and slaughter of animals raised for food. The veterinary profession continues to improve animal welfare through advances in end-of-life decision-making and humane killing techniques,1-3 but the psychological impacts on veterinarians have not received the same level of consideration. Building on the influential AVMA Humane Endings Guideline, the AVMA recognizes that support for the mental health of veterinarians engaged in such activities needs to be a priority. This article aims to provide the foundation and rationale for improved preparation and establishment of sustainable mental health resources and to offer recommendations on pragmatic solutions to support and prepare veterinary professionals as leaders impacted by participation in humane endings-related activities. While end-of-life decision-making and implementation may present mental health challenges to veterinarians, it is crucial to recognize that there are stressors specific to each situation and that every individual's experience is valid. Addressing the mental health issues surrounding the decision-making process and implementation of humane endings activities start with a comprehensive understanding of each activity's unique context and the veterinarian's leadership role. Therefore, this article highlights the psychological impact of depopulation and its similarities and exclusive challenges compared with euthanasia and humane slaughter.
兽医行业在动物生命的最后阶段对动物负有独特的责任。兽医的义务延伸至人道结局，涵盖各种情况下的所有动物物种，包括但不限于对个体饲养动物的安乐死、用于研究目的动物的安乐死、紧急情况下动物的扑杀以及供食用动物的屠宰。兽医行业通过临终决策和人道宰杀技术的进步不断改善动物福利，1 - 3 但对兽医的心理影响尚未得到同等程度的关注。基于有影响力的美国兽医协会（AVMA）人道结局指南，AVMA 认识到支持从事此类活动的兽医的心理健康需要成为优先事项。本文旨在为改进准备工作和建立可持续的心理健康资源提供基础和理由，并就切实可行的解决方案提出建议，以支持和培养兽医专业人员成为受参与人道结局相关活动影响的领导者。虽然临终决策和实施可能给兽医带来心理健康挑战，但必须认识到每种情况都有特定的压力源，而且每个人的经历都是真实有效的。解决围绕人道结局活动决策过程和实施的心理健康问题，首先要全面了解每项活动的独特背景以及兽医的领导作用。因此，本文重点介绍扑杀的心理影响以及与安乐死和人道屠宰相比的异同及独特挑战。
