The Silent Struggle: Imposter Syndrome in the Animal Professionals | By Hanne Grice
Across the animal behaviour, training, welfare and care sector, there are professionals whose outward success conceals an inward struggle. Despite qualifications, experience, and recognition, many describe feeling like they are faking it. Consequently, they may turn down opportunities that could enhance their careers. For example, I lost count of the number of times I used to say “I can’t do that” or “I’m not good enough” when it came to being offered centre-stage positions in prime time animal-related television programmes, despite having worked in the animal industry for nearly two decades with numerous certifications and acknowledgements under my belt, and having worked before that at a high level in the TV and film industry! Yet, many of my peers have expressed the same, worrying that at any moment, someone might realise they are not as capable as they appear.
This persistent sense of inadequacy is known as Imposter Syndrome, and it has nothing to do with low confidence. Rather, it is a deeply embedded belief that one’s achievements are undeserved, accompanied by a fear of being exposed as a fraud. Among those working in emotionally demanding, ethically complex environments, such as animal behaviour, training, and welfare, this psychological phenomenon is particularly common, although data relating to Imposter Syndrome and the animal industry are limited.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
This psychological phenomenon was first introduced in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, following research into high-achieving women who struggled to internalise their success. Today, Imposter Syndrome is recognised as a widespread issue across genders and industries.
What makes Imposter Syndrome distinct is the disconnect between external evidence of competence and internal perceptions of inadequacy.
Those affected dismiss their accomplishments as down to ‘good luck’, timing or other people’s efforts. So rather than acknowledging hard-earned skills or effort, they dismiss success as circumstantial or easily replicable by others. At the same time, they overemphasise errors or imperfections as evidence of personal inadequacy. Imposter Syndrome can manifest in subtle yet powerful ways:
- A tendency to overprepare, take on an excessive workload, or overdeliver to avoid criticism or compensate for perceived shortcomings
These patterns can become habitual, thereby narrowing the professional’s ability to accurately evaluate their performance.
Why animal professionals are especially vulnerable
Although Imposter Syndrome is not unique to those working with animals, certain characteristics of the sector appear to magnify its effects. Many animal professionals work in isolation or freelance capacities, without regular performance feedback, affirmation from peers or supervision. Animal professionals are often subject to growing scrutiny from social media, where conversations around ethics, credentials, and training philosophies are both passionate and, at times, polarising.
Moreover, the stakes in the animal professions are emotionally charged. Practitioners, such as behaviourists and veterinary staff, often deal with clients who are under stress, emotionally invested in outcomes, or seeking certainty in inherently uncertain behavioural or welfare cases. These conditions amplify pressure to “get it right” and leave little room for perceived failure.
Veterinary professionals have been studied more extensively than behaviourists or trainers, yet the findings offer a clear warning. Research by Kogan et al. (2020) found that 86 percent of vets had experienced Imposter Syndrome at some point in their career, and 68 percent exceeded the clinical threshold. Similarly, a survey by Vetlife (2022) highlighted that imposterism was among the top three self-reported contributors to poor mental wellbeing in the veterinary and animal care workforce. While less studied, behaviourists, trainers, groomers and animal welfare workers often describe similar dynamics anecdotally; its triggers are often embedded in the professional culture itself, comparison, perfectionism, and the weight of responsibility to the animal and their human(s).
The many faces of Imposter Syndrome
Although there is no universal blueprint for imposter syndrome and can vary from one person to the next, there are some commonalities. Researchers, such as Dr Valerie Young, have identified recurring profiles to help illustrate common themes. Whilst these frameworks are not clinical categories, they provide some insight into how Imposter Syndrome can manifest. Consider whether you can relate to any of the following:
- The Perfectionist: Holds themselves to impossibly high standards. This can result in any minor flaw being interpreted as a failure, resulting in self-doubt and feelings of imposterism. Perfectionists may hesitate to undergo peer review processes or assessments due to the fear of failure or being perceived as not good enough.
- The Superhuman: Measures success by the amount they can accomplish simultaneously. This can result in taking on too much work whilst attempting to balance home life. A sense of guilt can be experienced if they take a break, or they may struggle to simply pause. The Superhuman may also mistake rest for laziness in others.
- The Natural Genius: Believes skill should come easily. This means that any effort they put into their work, such as practicing mechanical training skills or seeking guidance, advice, or support from others relating to a case, may be interpreted as proof that they are a fraud.
- The Expert: Feels they never know enough. They are typically reluctant to take action until they feel fully informed. This may result in turning down opportunities to put themselves centre-stage. They may sign up for numerous CPD courses, which risks not being able to complete all they have signed up for due to time constraints, or then feeling overwhelmed.
- The Soloist: Finds it hard to ask for help. They may struggle to delegate when working with others, and they believe independence equals competence. Soloists may avoid joining practitioner/member organisations and or be dismissive of voluntary regulation, viewing this as a means of working independently rather than in isolation.
So, how many of these profiles resonated with you? For many, they will move between these types depending on the context, whether that is a challenging client case, a professional networking event, or even updating a business website.
What drives Imposter Syndrome?
This psychological phenomenon rarely stems from a lack of talent. More often, it is rooted in belief systems shaped by early experiences, cultural messaging, and or family dynamics. Individuals raised in environments where achievement was tied to worth may develop a conditional view of success.
Similarly, those praised primarily for results rather than effort may find themselves ill-equipped to navigate failure or uncertainty. For example, we see the ‘achievement equals love’ paradigm where a child grows up in a home where love and attention are closely tied to academic or sporting success. The child receives an abundance of praise for achieving top marks or winning, yet mistakes are met with disappointment or silence. This can result in a belief that “I am only worthy when I succeed”, so the individual may become a high performer but feels constant pressure to prove their value. This results in the Perfectionist pattern, where the child, now an adult, is afraid of making even minor errors, as failure feels like a threat to their identity.
Hence, where such internalised beliefs go unchallenged, over the years they can manifest as automatic thoughts, colouring self-perception. This sort of psychological tunnel vision can narrow one’s capacity to see successes, progress, or growth.
Yet all is not lost! Thanks to neuroplasticity, the human brain is capable of forming new neural pathways well into adulthood. This capacity allows for change, enabling unhelpful thoughts and limiting beliefs to be addressed through deliberate practice and reflection.
Strategies for change
Everything we do, feel and think is linked to our belief systems. If left unchallenged, these beliefs can become part of a self-fulfilling prophecy, proving the very thing we fear. With repetition and intention, we can literally reshape the neural networks that support our self-perception. Here are some ways to start managing imposter syndrome.
1. Be aware of the negative ninny! Focus on when that internal dialogue is being unhelpful and reframe those thoughts. For example, when self-doubt creeps in, tell yourself, “I know my stuff. And when I don’t, I confidently find out.”
2. Act as if: Have you ever heard the term “fake it ‘til you make it”? By acting as if you already possess the competence and confidence your role requires, over time, your positive thoughts will begin to reinforce new positive beliefs, leading to excellent outcomes. This creates and maintains a healthy feedback loop of growth.
4. Focus on goals: Develop the habit of setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART) goals. Ambiguity feeds anxiety, so use structures like SMART to bring purpose and focus to your professional growth.
5. Record the wins: Imposter Syndrome often leads us to dismiss our successes. Take time to acknowledge even small successes. This reinforces your sense of competence and self-worth, and this then becomes a useful anchor when self-doubt begins to raise its ugly head.
Why does this matter?
We are in a time where compassion fatigue in a post-pandemic world, industry burnout, economic challenges, and mental health struggles are increasingly recognised in our sector. Addressing Imposter Syndrome is a necessity. If left unchecked, it can cost the animal training, behaviour, welfare and care sector its brightest talent.
Whether you are fresh out of school or have two decades under your belt, if you have ever questioned your right to call yourself a “professional,” you are not alone, and help is at your fingertips…
Take Control
If you want to understand more about imposterism, then check out the iPET Network-accredited online course, The Imposter Syndrome for Animal Professionals. This course is worth 10 Professional Development and Recognition (PDR) points and has been designed specifically for individuals working with animals. Through real-life examples, powerful psychological insights, and practical strategies, this modular course helps you understand, manage, and ultimately reshape the imposter narrative.
Learn more at The Imposter Syndrome for Animal Professionals
Hanne Grice is a certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist, trainer, lecturer and educator. She has over two decades of experience in companion animal behaviour, training and applied psychology.