Animal responders : risks and mitigation strategies : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Veterinary Science at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
Loading...
Date
2023
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
Rights
The author
Abstract
Although disasters are often defined by their effect on the human populace, animals are not spared and are likewise affected. As animal and human welfare are interconnected, in disasters both will be affected and an assault on one will impact the other. Disasters are expected to become more frequent so in order to manage human safety and welfare, we must manage animal safety and welfare. The safest way to respond to animals in emergencies is to use emergency responders trained in animal behaviour and rescue techniques, however there is a lack of knowledge in this domain. This study aims to identify the factors that impact an emergency responder’s health during and after an animal rescue or disaster response and to identify mitigation techniques that can be utilised to enhance their safety and resilience. An anonymous online survey was used to enquire about the responder, the impact of a recent animal-related event and the effectiveness of a selection of mitigation strategies. This study found that a significant proportion of respondents had experienced physical injuries to the arms and hands, with the animal and fatigue being common causative factors. Another finding was that there is a risk of a psychological injury and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder was likely for some respondents. Despite these risks, the majority of respondents reported that they found the animal rescue event a positive experience. Psychosocial support was found to be an effective recovery technique along with physical or recreational activity, debriefing, and mindfulness. Other mitigation options for both responders and organisations were identified from the literature such as psychological and crew resource management training and the use of the ‘buddy system’. In conclusion, this study adds to the limited literature in this realm and will make a significant contribution to the safety and resilience of trained animal responders.