Why have this retreat?

We See You…

Compassion Fatigue.

It’s a term you may be familiar with. It means different things to different people, but in short, it is the feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed due to ongoing, direct contact with others who are experiencing trauma and crisis.

I became aware of the implications of compassion fatigue several years ago. Having been actively involved in animal welfare and rescue for my entire adult life I knew something was wrong, far beyond a feeling of “burnout”. At the time, I was managing the small animal shelter in my town. I had become depressed, anxious, and short-tempered. I made poor decisions in my personal and professional life and felt the profound weight of sadness permeating everything I did. It seemed as though no matter how hard I worked or how many animals I saw adopted into loving homes, the feeling of not being able to put an end to the suffering of so many homeless animals, not to mention the animals endlessly and cruelly exploited in the world felt like an unbearable weight.

The idea for a compassion fatigue retreat came about recently while I was staffing a table for Animals Asia (AnimalsAsia.org) at a Vegfest event nearby. In speaking with other animal welfare volunteers and professionals it became clear that I wasn’t the only one feeling completely engulfed in sadness and frustration about the seemingly unending stream of animal abuse and neglect we witness on a day-to-day basis. It seemed like everyone I spoke with was experiencing that type of weariness.

Shortly afterwards, I was invited to attend a wellness retreat on the other side of the country. The idea appealed to me. I loved the idea of getting away for a few days of self-care and inner connection. The idea of traveling across the country for it, however, did not appeal. I began formulating an idea to create a wellness retreat closer to home that would be specifically for people like me who worked in the animal welfare field.

I contacted my friend, Patricia Smith, who is the Founder of the Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project and a certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist and Educator. She loved the idea and offered her help. She has graciously agreed to be the keynote speaker and facilitator at the retreat.

It is my heartfelt wish that by offering a space for this kind of healing to others, we, as a group, will be stronger, more resilient, and able to continue doing the life-saving work that so desperately needs our voices.

Above all else, please know, WE SEE YOU. We know how difficult, heart breaking and very often rewarding, your chosen path of compassion can be. Let us help.

with Kind Regards, Jan Murphy