Dairy Caretaker Perspectives on Performing Euthanasia as an Essential Component of Their Job

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cramer MC ; Edwards-Callaway LN ; Kim E ; Mijares S ; Román-Muñiz IN ; Simpson H ; Stallones L ; Thompson S
• Description:
  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 well-being on dairy farms. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Farmers Health Personnel Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Safety Stress, Psychological Surveys And Questionnaires Veterinarians
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Workers Animal Husbandry Workers Author Keywords: Dairy Animal Well-being Cattle Dairy Caretaker Perceptions Dairy Worker Wellbeing Euthanasia-related Stress Farm Workers Health Surveys Human-animal Bond Job Stress Mental Health On-farm Euthanasia Veterinary Medicine Wellbeing

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• ISSN:
  2076-2615
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  11
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20061923
• Citation:
  Animals 2021 Feb; 11(2):289
• Contact Point Address:
  Ivette Noami Román-Muñiz, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
• Email:
  noa.roman-muniz@colostate.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  Colorado State University - Ft. Collins
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20030915
• Source Full Name:
  Animals
• End Date:
  20270914
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a321ea34ce51521a72783bc465393c3b2310c2cebfb642b17f5f42fb0ca4d65cb5f5b7d84346dba89ecfa74064d9534788082481d8f7eae7cb409388b9ee6985
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225266/cdc_225266_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 248.01 KB ]