Euthanasia is a critical component in swine production and veterinarians play an important role in euthanasia protocol development and training. This study aimed to understand veterinarian involvement in and perspectives on euthanasia on pig farms. An online survey was disseminated both at a pig welfare conference and online via a veterinarian e-newsletter. Twenty-five veterinarians participated in the survey. The majority of respondents indicated that caretakers are the individuals making euthanasia decisions and performing the task (n = 17, 68% and 22, 88%, respectively). The majority (22, 88%) of respondents indicated that most of the facilities with which they work have a written euthanasia protocol, and 72% (18) indicated that they assisted in protocol development. Only half of respondents (13, 52%) agreed that “all employees performing euthanasia have been trained adequately”, and 80% (20) identified an interest in delivering more training. Less than half the respondents indicated that strategies for coping with “personal stress” and “emotional wellness” (12, 48%) were included in euthanasia training. While the moral stress of performing euthanasia is recognized, there is opportunity for addressing mental well-being in euthanasia resources. Although preliminary, this study supports the need for further euthanasia training on-farm, involving veterinarians in the process.
The objectives of this study were to identify caretakers’ perceptions and stressors related to performing on-farm euthanasia as well as potential ideas for intervention strategies to alleviate negative effects of performing euthanasia on caretaker well-being. Additionally, we aimed to determine how euthanasia methods, procedures, and training correlate with dairy caretakers’ attitudes toward performing on-farm euthanasia and their job satisfaction and sense of well-being. Thirty-eight dairy caretakers (19 workers, 15 supervisors, 3 owners, 1 veterinarian) participated in focus groups or interviews conducted and recorded on five Northern Colorado dairies. Thematic analysis of focus group and interview transcripts revealed seven recurring themes. Variation in available training and euthanasia protocols among dairy farms was evident. There was a lack of awareness regarding available mental health resources and little communication between farm personnel about euthanasia-related stress. Training was correlated with caretaker knowledge about euthanasia procedures and the language used to refer to euthanasia. Human-animal bonds and empathy toward animals were evident in participants regardless of training, job position, or dairy experience. Interventions such as training programs, mental health resources, and other support systems should be tested for effectiveness in addressing euthanasia-related stressors, improving euthanasia decision-making and practice, and increasing animal wellbeing on dairy farms.
The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of euthanasia training, caretaker perceptions of euthanasia, and available resources for individuals who perform euthanasia as part of their job on swine operations in the United States. An online survey was distributed via an e-newsletter and in-person recruitment at swine industry events. Survey questions were related to training, attitudes towards performing euthanasia, work environment, and communication. Forty-five responses (17 workers, 21 managers, 7 owners) were recorded and summarized. The majority of workers (n = 14, 82%) agreed that they had “received enough training to euthanize pigs correctly” and that training had made them “confident about performing euthanasia”, yet 35% (6) also indicated they would like more euthanasia training. Less than one-third of workers indicated that strategies for dealing with “personal stress” (4, 24%) and “emotional wellness” 29% (5) were included in training programs but the majority (14, 82%) agreed that “trainings included human safety while performing euthanasia”. Most caretakers (37, 82%) agreed that they felt they could “communicate with my supervisors” if they felt uncomfortable performing euthanasia. Opportunities for the future include enhancing euthanasia training opportunities and content to include more awareness of strategies to deal with stress related to euthanasia.
This paper presents an evaluation of inundation, erosion, and wave damage for a coastal community in Rhode Island, USA. A methodology called the Coastal Environmental Risk Index (CERI) was used that incorporates levels of inundation including sea level rise, wave heights using STWAVE, and detailed information about individual structures from an E911 database. This information was input into damage functions developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following Hurricane Sandy. Damage from erosion was evaluated separately from local published erosion rates. Using CERI, two different adaptation strategies were evaluated that included a combination of dune restoration, protective berms, and a tide gate. A total of 151 out of 708 structures were estimated to be protected from inundation and wave action by the combined measures. More importantly, the use of CERI allowed for the assessment of the impact of different adaptation strategies on both individual structures and an entire community in a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) environment. This tool shows promise for use by coastal managers to assess damage and mitigate risk to coastal communities.
Dairy caretakers experience a variety of occupational risks including stress related to performing euthanasia and making euthanasia-related decisions for cattle in their care. Few supportive interventions exist to help caretakers cope with euthanasia-related stress. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of weekly peer discussion sessions as an intervention to reduce euthanasia-related stress and grief in dairy caretakers. This study utilized scores from a modified pet-based bereavement questionnaire to assess the change in bereavement of caretakers in response to euthanasia-related stress in a non-treatment group (who did not attend peer discussion sessions, n = 7) and a treatment group (who attended peer discussion sessions, n = 15). Key findings of this study were that discussion sessions did not have a direct impact on the study outcomes as measured using a pet bereavement scale, as there was no difference in the change in bereavement scores during the 8 week study period between the treatment and non-treatment groups. Thematic analysis of peer discussions revealed that compassion towards dairy cattle is a prominent factor in areas of decision making, protocols, and training. Further studies should continue to explore how performing euthanasia and making euthanasia-related decisions impacts caretakers and what supportive interventions can reduce stress and grief.
Euthanasia is a critical component of dairy management as it provides a way to alleviate animal suffering. Limited research explores dairy worker perspectives regarding their role in performing euthanasia or the impact of this practice on worker wellbeing. Additionally, training offered to caretakers is inconsistent in content and frequency and lacks cultural congruence. This project aimed to identify how euthanasia methods, procedures, and training affect caretaker attitudes towards performing on-farm euthanasia, job satisfaction and sense of well-being of dairy workers and managers. Focus groups, facilitated by Colorado State University researchers, were conducted at five large Colorado dairies. Thirty-eight animal caretakers (workers, n = 29; managers, n = 8; and veterinarians, n = 1) participated in focus groups according to their job description and language of choice (English or Spanish). Focus groups were recorded for subsequent transcription and translation. Thematic analysis was performed to identify recurring themes in the transcripts. Themes that emerged from the focus groups included: stressors related to physical, work, and social environments; euthanasia techniques, frequency, process, decision making, and who performs this task; the language used when referring to euthanasia; animal welfare; and the effect of the human-animal bond on euthanasia decision-making and performing euthanasia. Preliminary analysis of themes indicated that multiple factors influence how euthanasia is performed and the euthanasia decision-making process. Additionally, euthanasia and job-related tasks were identified as sources of stress for dairy workers. Strength of the human-animal bond and worker compassion towards the animals they care for were evident for all participants. Initial analysis showed a lack of caretaker awareness regarding mental health services available in their community. Training programs on dairy farms should incorporate worker health and safety, particularly as it pertains to performing euthanasia, and address the mental wellbeing of dairy workers. Information regarding mental health services in the community should also be accessible to caretakers.
Stunning livestock (rendering them unconscious) is a necessary component of initiating humane slaughter, thus it is important to provide support to individuals performing this job. The objective of this study was to identify worker perspectives, training methods, and resources available to workers performing stunning. An online survey was distributed to industry association listservs or direct emails of slaughter plants in the United States of America. An additional survey was administered at an industry conference to increase participation. Twenty respondents completed the slaughter survey. Respondents were commonly trained using an in-person, in-house trainer. Respondents indicated feeling confident in performing stunning after training (18, 90%) and that “stunning animals has become easier the more times they did it” (17, 85%). Only 2 (10%) respondents said there were aware of programs to promote mental health, but most (17, 85%) felt “supported by peers in their workplace.” This preliminary survey identified interest in more training and limited awareness of supportive resources.
Employees on swine operations have the critical role of ensuring animal health and well-being, which sometimes involves performing euthanasia. This study aimed to understand caretaker and manager involvement and perspectives on performing euthanasia on swine farms. Individuals were recruited through online (newsletters and emails to companies) and in-person (e.g. Pig Welfare Symposium, MN) methods in the fall of 2019. The survey consisted of 61 questions on topics related to training, methods of euthanasia, perspectives about euthanasia and knowledge of available mental health resources. Thirty-nine individuals participated in the survey (18 caretakers, 21 managers). Half of respondents (50%, n = 20) indicated that they were involved with making euthanasia decisions. The vast majority of respondents “believe that euthanasia is a humane way to end animal suffering” (95%; n = 36) and that “the euthanasia process on-farm is necessary” (97%; n = 34). A quarter of individuals (25%, n = 9) “feel emotionally upset after euthanizing a pig” and 84% (n = 26) indicated it is “easier to euthanize a pig the more they do it.” Additionally, 92% (n = 35) of respondents agreed that they have “enough experience and knowledge to know when to euthanize a pig.” Most of survey respondents (n = 34) agreed that they “feel as though I can communicate with my supervisors if I feel uncomfortable performing euthanasia” and that their “supervisors aim to promote a safe and encouraging work environment” (n = 38). Despite this, a small number of respondents (n = 6) did not feel “as though my supervisors acknowledge concerns that they may have” and did not feel that their supervisors take “an interest in my professional development and/or job performance.” Overall, data suggest that caretakers and managers understand the importance of euthanasia regarding animal well-being and generally feel they can communicate their concerns.
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