Tell Your Story
Do you work in an Australian laboratory or scientific institution?
Have you witnessed distressing or harmful practices to animals in a research setting?
Working in environments where animals may experience harm or distress can have a significant emotional and psychological impact. For some people, these challenges can affect their wellbeing and mental health.
Although AFSA’s primary focus is advocating for animals used in Australian research, we recognise the importance of also supporting the people involved in this sector. We take a compassionate and holistic approach by providing support and resources for current and former animal technicians, researchers, and others working in Australian institutions where animals are used, acknowledging the emotional impacts and experiences of those affected.
Tell your story confidentially
Sharing your experience and having someone listen can be an important part of healing. For many people, being able to put difficult experiences into words, feel heard, and know that they are not alone can bring a sense of relief, understanding, and connection.
If you have a story or experience you with to share, AFSA offers a safe and confidential space to do so. No judgement – just compassion and understanding. And whether you remain anonymous, use a pseudonym or your real name, your information is kept strictly confidential and not shared with any third parties outside of AFSA.
Before sharing, please consider your state or territory legislation, as this may restrict your ability to disclose information.
If whistle-blowing, see our below references to check your rights and protections.
Other forms of support
JUSTIFY was created by people who have worked in animal research to help others share their experiences safely, connect with those who understand, and find language for what they’re going through. Justify provides a confidential, supportive space for current and former animal research workers struggling with the emotional and psychological impact of their work.
Listen to an AFSA podcast episode exploring the psychological impact of working with animals in research with Justify co-founder and former primate lab animal technician, Maddie Krasno, here.
Read their article on compassion fatigue here.
Sentient Professional Wellbeing provides counselling and coaching support for people working in animal care and advocacy, offering a safe and non-judgemental space to address the unique challenges of this work.
They support veterinary professionals, animal shelter workers, conservationists, activists, volunteers, and others experiencing stress, grief, burnout, or compassion fatigue, while also contributing research and resources on the mental health impacts of animal-related work.
The Culture of Care Network promotes a more compassionate and responsible approach to animal research by supporting workplace cultures that prioritise animal welfare, staff wellbeing, scientific quality, and the 3Rs principles. The network shares resources and best practices to encourage continuous improvement and open discussion across the research community.
The 3Rs Collaborative Compassion Fatigue and Resiliency provides guidance and support for individuals working in animal research who may experience the emotional challenges associated with their roles. It highlights the importance of recognising compassion fatigue, supporting wellbeing, and building resilience through a culture that values care for both animals and people.
Watch Test Subjects, a powerful award-winning documentary that explores the pressure on aspiring scientists to experiment on animals in order to earn their doctorates, and the personal toll this takes on them.
Within Australia, veterinary professionals can access dedicated wellbeing support through services such as Veterinary Vitality and Thrive, which provide resources and assistance to help navigate the unique challenges of veterinary work.
Speak with a mental health professional.
AFSA has collated a list of practitioners who specialise in supporting patients who work with animals, or are passionate about animal advocacy. Find their name and details below:
Dr Tani Khara is Research Director and a mental health coach at Sentient Professional Wellbeing, supporting individuals and organisations working in animal care, social justice, and environmental fields.
She provides support for challenges including stress, anxiety, depression, compassion fatigue, grief, and loss, using therapeutic approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and mindfulness-based approaches.
With a background as an academic researcher at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Tani has published research on compassion, psychosocial wellbeing, and the impacts of human-animal interactions. She also works with multicultural communities and speaks fluent English and Hindi, with conversational Punjabi.
Dr Vanessa Rohlf
is a consultant, therapist, and educator specialising in compassion fatigue, stress management, pet loss, and animal bereavement. As a former veterinary nurse and animal welfare researcher, she saw a need to support those who devote their lives to caring for animals.
To fulfill this need, Vanessa provides counselling and evidence-based workshops, seminars, and consultations. These services are tailored to meet the requirements of the organisation or individual she works with.
Dr Leona Black is an Educational Psychologist with a background in psychology and a strong interest in animal welfare. She believes that supporting the wellbeing of people who care for animals is an important part of promoting animal welfare.
After completing a Master’s in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law at the University of Edinburgh, Leona focused on the impacts of compassion fatigue within animal-related fields. Through her coaching practice, The BlackLight Coach, she supports individuals experiencing challenges such as compassion fatigue, stress, and burnout.
Dr. Apoorva Madan is a clinical psychologist and animal advocate with over eight years of experience supporting individuals experiencing challenges including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and PTSD. Based in South Australia, she provides in-person and telehealth support across Australia.
Drawing on evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Narrative Therapy, Apoorva supports people navigating complex emotional experiences.
With more than a decade of involvement in the animal rights movement, she is passionate about supporting advocates and promoting psychological wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable engagement in the movement.
References and further reading:
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
- Fair Work Commission (FWC)
- Human Rights Law Centre
- Randall MS, Moody CM, Turner PV. Mental Wellbeing in Laboratory Animal Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study of Compassion Fatigue, Contributing Factors, and Coping Mechanisms. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2021 Jan 1;60(1):54-63. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-20-000039. Epub 2020 Oct 7. PMID: 33028460; PMCID: PMC7831355.
- Monckton, V. (2024). Animal lab workers experience mental health struggles, but are rarely heard from. Sentient Media, 8 October.
- Milford A, Elger BS, Rodriguez C, Shaw D, Genevieve L, De Clercq E. Secondary victims of animal experimentation: psychosocial hazards in animal laboratories. JME Practical Bioethics. 2026;2:e000030.
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