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September 12, 2025 48 mins

On today's show, we talk with Kelly Bremken, a veterinary social worker from Oregon Humane Society. Kelly sheds light on: 

  • What is a veterinary social worker and what her role looks like day to day.
  • How veterinary social work is similar to and different from traditional social work. 
  • How veterinary social workers can support staff and volunteers with managing compassion fatigue, trauma, grief, or burnout.
  • How Kelly personally maintains healthy boundaries and manages her own compassion fatigue in such an emotionally demanding role.
  • How does the Oregon Humane Society prioritizes mental health and wellness for its staff and volunteers.
  • Where can veterinary social workers be utilized? 
  • What organizations can do to promote employee wellness--with or without the help of a veterinary social worker. 

Resources mentioned: 

To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior

Kelly Grace/Second Growth

Jessica Dolce’s Compassion in Balance Program

International Association of Veterinary Social Work

University of Tennessee Center for Veterinary Social Work

Oregon Humane Society

Free resources: https://www.beyondcompassionfatigue.com

 

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