This session is focused on mental health and wellbeing for zoo and aquarium staff and features a presentation from Dr. Beth Nolan, followed by a Q&A discussion moderated by Domini Montgomery, Chair of the AZA Safety Committee’s Mental Health Subcommittee.
Staff wellbeing programs at zoos and aquaria are critical for staff support, retention, operational and animal care continuity, and protection to the business. External partnerships are both available and needed to comprehensively address the unique challenges that animal caretakers face, from crisis situations to longer term conditions, like compassion fatigue and burnout. This presentation will outline some of those resources, including GRAZE and Mental Health First Aid programs, as well as strategies facilities and organizations can take to better address staff wellbeing in zoos and aquaria.
A recording of Dr. Nolan’s presentation can be viewed at the link below, and additional resources are linked at the bottom of this post. The Q&A portion of this session was not recorded.
This session is presented by the Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership (ZAHP) in collaboration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Safety Committee’s Mental Health Subcommittee as part of the ongoing Topics in Zoo Safety webinar series. ZAHP is a program of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV).
Resources
- Wellbeing Resources for Veterinary (and Animal Care) Professionals:
- Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees (GRAZE)
- Mental Health First Aid Certification and Resources
- AZA Safety Committee Resource Center Mental Health Resources
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) One Pager: Animal Programs Mental Health Understanding and Needs
- Animal Concepts: Human Wellbeing*
- CARE4YOU Conference *- free virtual conference June 20, 2025
*Resources shared by event attendees