NDIS care worker reveals 'soul destroying' part of the job
Dani Quattro admits she often cries when she comes across neglected animals at the homes of her clients.
An NDIS support worker has revealed what she considers the most "heartbreaking" part of her job which few people are aware she has to contend with, claiming it places even more pressure on her already demanding role. And it's something she admits brings her to tears frequently.
Dani Quattro cares for Aussies with a disability every day but confessed it is often her clients' animals which pull at her heartstrings if she feels they aren't receiving proper care from their owners.
"Someone asked me what I thought the hardest part of becoming a support worker is, my answer would honestly be the animals that you see that are severely neglected," she said online. "The people that just don't know how to care for them in the right way and sometimes that's no fault of their own... it's soul destroying."
Quattro says some days she arrives to patient's homes to care for them but ends up finding neglected cats and dogs, and has even had to step in to advocate for the animal's welfare.
Care worker has driven neglected animals to vets
The NDIS worker has even driven neglected animals to the vet after finding them in such poor condition, with many having to be put down, tying more emotional baggage to her role.
"I have had to personally take them to the vet because they've been so neglected and they're in that much pain, and the vet has said the best thing for this dog is to put them down... there's some days where I witness it and it's all I think about for the rest of the week and I'll probably cry about it," she said.
The woman’s unique take led to an outpouring of experiences from other care workers — with some agreeing with her and others sharing they had never witnessed neglected animals in their careers.
“I’ve been a high care support worker for four years and never come across this,” one shared. “All my clients are well cared for.” Another said in their five years in the industry, they felt pets were “better cared for” thanks to support staff. Another care worker agreed with her, sharing that she had sadly witnessed animal abuse.
“I struggle with it also,” said a third. “I’ve thought of how I can smuggle them out.”
Many pet owners are struggling to care for their animals across the country for a range of reasons such as a competitive rental market favouring those without animals, and the rise in the cost of living stretching Aussie's budgets. Pet surrenders are on the rise, with the RSPCA in NSW receiving 20 calls per day on average relating to surrenders.
Most rewarding aspect of being a support worker
In another video Quattro talks about the most rewarding aspect of being a disability support worker.
"There is no better feeling when your client starts to drop their guard and finally open up around you, and see you as a safe place," she said.
"When you gain their trust that is the most rewarding feeling."
The 660,000 Aussies who are covered by the NDIS scheme will all have their plans and budgets reassessed as the Albanese government begins to tackle blowouts which have impeded on other areas of the federal budget, to be handed down next month.
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