Animal Protection Officers: Professional Identity, Professional Stressors, and Mental Health Needs

Animal protection officers ( APO s) fulfill critical community roles but are underrepresented in academic literature. This study explored APO s’ professional identities, professional stressors, positive job aspects, and mental health needs and access. Our mixed-methods design featured a survey followed by interviews. The survey was disseminated to APO s from four local agencies. Results from 18 respondents revealed that seeing a child injured by an animal or an animal injured by a human were the most stressful work situations. Positive job aspects included helping animals, public education, and supporting community safety. Only four respondents had accessed mental health services for job-related issues. Nine respondent interviews yielded themes addressing how APO s make meaning, stressors and resilience factors, and mental health supports. Recommendations based on survey and interview responses are provided.