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In this episode, I’m joined by Dan “The Cat Man” Trachtenberg and Michelle Nielsen, hosts of The Shelter Cats Podcast, for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to spend so much of your life focused on cats, rescue, and animal welfare. Dan shares how the loss of his beloved cat Tyler ultimately inspired Shelter Cats & Redemption, the blog he created in Tyler’s memory—and how that journey eventually became The Shelter Cats Podcast. We also talk about the emotional challenges that come with being immersed in animal rescue, including grief, compassion fatigue, and the cumulative weight of caring about animals who desperately need our help. Dan and Michelle share what compassion fatigue has looked like for them, how they cope when the work starts taking an emotional toll, and what keeps them going when things get hard. In this episode, we talk about: The emotional realities of being involved in cat rescue How Dan's loss of Tyler inspired his work The evolution from Shelter Cats & Redemption to The Shelter Cats Podcast The unique challenges of constantly being exposed to stories of animals in need Compassion fatigue and how it can show up in animal advocates The importance of recognizing when caring starts to take a toll How Dan and Michelle cope with the emotional demands of their work What keeps them going when rescue feels overwhelming Finding meaning and connection in the work—even when it's hard Resources Mentioned: The Shelter Cats Podcast Other Resources:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

In animal welfare, it’s easy to fall into the belief that we’re only valuable when we’re helping, or that we’re never doing enough. After years of exposure to suffering, trauma, and loss, those beliefs can become deeply ingrained. In this episode, I guide you through a series of identity and self-worth affirmations designed to help you practice a different way of talking to yourself. These aren’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything is okay when it isn’t. They’re about recognizing that you have inherent worth, regardless of what you accomplish or how much you’re able to give. Resources: Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.

Have you ever been awake at 2 a.m. replaying a cruelty case in your mind? Or found yourself unable to shake an image, constantly on edge, or avoiding a place because it reminds you of something you experienced while working or volunteering with animals? If so, you may have wondered: Is this compassion fatigue, or is it something more? In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I explore the similarities and differences between PTSD, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue, and why understanding the distinction matters for people working and volunteering in animal welfare. We explore: Why PTSD and compassion fatigue are often used interchangeably—but aren't technically the same thing What PTSD is and why it is considered a diagnosable mental health condition Why compassion fatigue is better understood as an umbrella term rather than a formal diagnosis How secondary trauma and secondary traumatic stress can affect animal welfare professionals The ways PTSD and secondary traumatic stress can look similar Why not every experience of distress should automatically be labeled PTSD How compassion fatigue, burnout, moral distress, grief, secondary traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety can overlap Why accurate assessment matters when determining what kind of support someone needs Why experiencing trauma or suffering does not mean you're weak or "not cut out for the job" Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, overdose, and death by suicide. Please take care of yourself while listening. You are always welcome to skip this episode or step away if the content feels overwhelming. Suicide is a difficult subject, but one we can’t afford to avoid. In this episode, I share an excerpt from Chapter five of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy, which explores suicide awareness and prevention in animal welfare. In this excerpt, we explore: Why suicide can be particularly relevant to animal care and advocacy professionals The impact of euthanasia exposure and repeated encounters with animal suffering How workplace culture, isolation, and lack of support can increase vulnerability The connection between perfectionism, self-sacrifice, guilt, shame, and suicide risk Why we need to move beyond statistics and talk openly about the human beings behind them The importance of recognizing warning signs and risk factors Why creating cultures where people can ask for help is an essential part of suicide prevention If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you don't have to face it alone. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy is available for pre-order, with publication coming February 9, 2027. More Resources:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Sherman and Sunny Gandara, hosts of The Whole Pack Podcast, for a conversation about the emotional side of caring for animals. We explore how compassion fatigue can show up in less obvious animal-care roles, why the accumulation of small emotional experiences can be just as significant as major crises, and what happens when our passion makes it difficult to set boundaries. We talk about emotional boundaries, coping skills, morning routines, walking meditation, EFT, the importance of peer support, and more. We also explore compassion satisfaction and why reconnecting with the joyful, playful parts of our relationships with animals can help protect the very thing that brought us to this work in the first place. About the Guests: Sunny Gandara is a certified holistic pet health coach and canine nutritionist specializing in cancer prevention, TCVM food therapy, and whole-food nutrition for dogs, work she built after losing her Cane Corso Nacho to hemangiosarcoma and realizing that the support she desperately needed for pet parents in that position simply did not exist. Based in Beacon, New York she also works at Full Circle Veterinary Hospital alongside an integrative veterinarian twice a week. She bridges the gap between conventional and holistic care through her practice Nacho Average Dog Health Coach, helping pet parents navigate chronic illness, inflammation, and cancer. Free Resource: “From Itchy Skin to Cancer: The Inflammation Roadmap” is a free guide that walks dog owners through the five stages chronic inflammation moves through, starting with things as ordinary as itchy skin or a sensitive stomach and ending at the cellular changes tied to cancer risk. It includes five healing recipes built on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine food therapy, plus a seven-day inflammation reset checklist to start putting the information to work right away. It's built for owners who want to catch inflammation early, while there's still time to change the outcome. Connect with Sunny: Website Instagram:@nachoaveragegdoghealthcoach Facebook TikTok: @doghealthcoach   Melissa Sherman is an animal communicator and the founder of Calming Creek. She has dedicated her work to helping animals and the people who love them better understand one another, fostering deeper connection, healing, and a stronger bond. Melissa specializes in supporting sensitive animals and their guardians through behavior concerns, grief, and end-of-life transitions. Free Resource: Beginner’s Guide to Energy Healing for Animals: A gentle introduction to simple practices that can help you slow down, ground yourself, and create a calmer, more connected space with the animals in your care. Connect with Melissa: Website: calmingcreek.com Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calmingcreek TikTok:  @calmingcreek   The Whole Pack Podcast – available on most platforms (Apple, Spotify, etc.) as well as on Substack Instagram: @thewholepack_ Facebook Substack   More Resources: Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

If you're someone who struggles with saying no, setting limits, or putting your own needs on the list, this episode is for you. In animal care, welfare, rescue, vet med, and activism, boundaries can be particularly complicated. When you're surrounded by animals who need help and people who are struggling, it can be incredibly easy to fall into the belief that you have to keep giving—and that taking care of yourself means you're letting someone else down. In this episode, I talk about affirmations and how they can help us practice a different way of talking to ourselves, particularly when it comes to boundaries. And don't worry, this isn't about standing in front of the mirror declaring that everything is wonderful when it absolutely isn't. You'll learn:  Why affirmations aren't the same thing as toxic positivity How repetitive thoughts can become automatic What neuroplasticity has to do with changing thought patterns Why knowing you need a boundary isn't always enough to actually set one How affirmations can help you practice new beliefs Why you don't have to fully believe an affirmation for it to be useful How to incorporate affirmations into your everyday routine Boundary-setting affirmations specifically for animal welfare professionals Resources:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

On today's episode, I talk with animal advocate and longtime radio personality Holly Haze, whose journey into rescue began with a dog named Taco. After sharing Taco's story on social media and learning that he had been euthanized, Holly realized that awareness alone wasn't enough—she needed to do more. That moment sparked a mission that eventually led to Furry Friday, a weekly radio feature highlighting shelter animals in need of homes. Through her voice and platform, Holly has helped countless animals find families while becoming deeply involved as a volunteer, foster, and board member.  We Explore: How grief and guilt can become catalysts for action The emotional realities of volunteering in animal welfare Compassion fatigue, burnout, and the "zealot phase" Why boundaries are essential for staying in the work long-term Finding compassion satisfaction in the small wins The systemic issues driving shelter overcrowding The importance of spay/neuter and public education Why every person—regardless of their skills or emotional bandwidth—has a place in helping animals How fostering, daycations, photography, social media, and even laundry can save lives Learning to accept that we cannot save them all while still making a difference Resources Mentioned: Holly’s Instagram  Country Acres Rescue Additional Resources for Managing Compassion Fatigue:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue Podcast, I explore one of the most misunderstood and least talked about experiences in animal welfare work: emotional numbness. Many animal care professionals, rescuers, advocates, veterinary staff, shelter workers, wildlife rehabilitators, trainers, and activists eventually reach a point where they stop reacting emotionally the way they once did. Cases that used to keep them awake at night no longer seem to register emotionally. Tears stop coming. Compassion can begin to feel distant or inaccessible. This episode dives into why emotional shutdown happens, how the nervous system adapts to chronic exposure to suffering and trauma, and why numbness does not mean you have stopped caring. You’ll learn: The connection between compassion fatigue and emotional detachment How chronic stress and trauma exposure impact the nervous system The difference between caring deeply and feeling intensely Fight, flight, freeze, and shutdown responses Why emotional numbing is often a survival response The guilt and shame many helpers experience when they feel disconnected from their passion Bottom-up (body-first) and top-down (mind-first) strategies for reconnecting with yourself safely and sustainably Resources mentioned:  Episode 57: Compassion Satisfaction: The Anchor in the Storm Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.

Lost dog recovery is a race against time, fueled by hope, heartbreak, patience, and perseverance. In this episode, I’m joined by Holly Fontaine, an award-winning animal advocate from Connecticut and volunteer with Connecticut Dog Gone Recovery. Holly spends countless hours helping frightened, lost dogs find their way back home, often under difficult and emotionally demanding circumstances. Holly shares what drew her into lost dog recovery work, what the public often misunderstands about recovering lost dogs, and the emotional toll that comes with witnessing fear, loss, and suffering. We discuss compassion fatigue, anger, and the unique challenges faced by animal advocates who care deeply but cannot save every animal they encounter. We also explore the strategies Holly uses to stay grounded, including exercise, focusing on small victories, and turning up her favorite 80s music when she needs to reset her nervous system. From the healing power of movement to the uplifting energy of classic songs, Holly offers practical and relatable insights for anyone working in animal care, rescue, welfare, or advocacy. We discuss: The mission and work of Connecticut Dog Gone Recovery The emotional realities of animal advocacy Managing anger and frustration in animal welfare work How exercise helps regulate stress and emotions The surprising role of 80s music in emotional recovery Why celebrating small wins matters Finding peace through consistent action rather than perfection Resources Mentioned:  Connecticut Dog Gone Recovery More Resources: Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

On today's episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I read a snippet from my forthcoming book of the same name. This reading is from chapter one: Pain versus Suffering. Want even more? Click here to download a free Sneak Peek Bundle which features the introduction, chapter one, and chapter six! Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy publishes February 9, 2027 but is available for pre-order now!  Who is this book for?  Animal shelter staff and volunteers Animal control officers Animal rescuers Animal sanctuary staff and volunteers Foster parents Veterinary professionals Wildlife rehabbers and conservationsists Adovcates and activists Anyone else involved in animal care and welfare! More resources:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

Working in animal welfare and behavior can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also take a significant emotional toll. In this episode, I sit down with Carol Sumbry, a Certified Behavior Consultant, Force-Free Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Trauma-Informed Approach Professional, Therapy Dog Evaluator, and Family Dog Mediator™, to discuss the realities of compassion fatigue in behavior work and the importance of finding sustainable ways to care for yourself while caring for others. Carol shares her journey into animal welfare, the emotional impact of working with aggression and trauma cases, and the lessons she's learned after decades of helping dogs and the people who love them. We also explore how movement, creativity, hobbies, and other self-care practices have become essential tools in helping her navigate the challenges of this work. We discuss:  Carol's path into animal welfare, rescue, and behavior work The hidden emotional costs of working with trauma and aggression cases Recognizing the signs of compassion fatigue How trauma affects both animals and the humans trying to help them The connection between movement, exercise, and emotional resilience The role of yoga, creativity, hobbies, and other restorative activities Finding meaning and purpose in difficult work Lessons learned from a lifetime of helping animals Resources:  Carol's website Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.

In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I open up about a recent emotional meltdown that left me overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, painful memories, and a dysregulated nervous system. After struggling to calm down, I finally turned to a surprisingly simple grounding technique called cognitive shuffling, a science-backed tool that helped me settle down. I explore how intrusive thoughts, trauma memories, grief, chronic stress, and secondary traumatic stress often intensify at night, especially for those working in animal care, welfare, rescue, veterinary medicine, sheltering, and activism. I explain why the harder we try to suppress distressing thoughts, the stronger they often become, and how cognitive shuffling works differently by gently redirecting the brain into a more relaxed, sleep-friendly state. You’ll learn: What cognitive shuffling is and how it works Why intrusive thoughts and memory loops are so common in animal welfare work How trauma and hypervigilance affect the nervous system Why anxious brains struggle to “shut off” at night A step-by-step guide to practicing cognitive shuffling How this technique can help both with insomnia and emotional overwhelm Important reminders about using coping skills without self-judgment Ways to pair cognitive shuffling with other calming nervous system practices More resources:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.

In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Motter for an honest conversation about sustainable fostering, boundaries in animal rescue, and the emotional weight that comes with caring deeply for animals in need. If you’ve ever struggled with guilt for saying “no,” felt overwhelmed by the endless need in rescue, or wondered how to continue helping animals without completely burning yourself out, this episode is for you. Kelly shares the realities of fostering, the lessons she learned about emotional limits, and the boundaries that helped her continue showing up for animals in a healthier and more sustainable way. In This Episode, We Discuss: The moment Kelly realized she could not save every animal Why boundaries are essential in fostering and rescue work Navigating guilt when saying “no” to an animal in need The emotional pressure within rescue culture to always do more How fostering can impact marriages, friendships, and family life Practical boundaries that help prevent burnout How to decide when to take in another foster Managing the emotional toll of constant exposure to suffering Small changes rescuers can make immediately to reduce overwhelm Creating a sustainable approach to advocacy and animal welfare Resources mentioned: Listen to The Foster Files on your favorite platform or watch on YouTube Kelly’s Instagram Other resources: Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.

In this solo episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I talk about my rescue goat, Gracie, and how she represent compassion satisfaction—the joy, meaning, and fulfillment that comes from helping animals and making a difference. I share Gracie’s rescue story and explore how animal welfare professionals and advocates can experience both burnout and deep fulfillment at the same time. Drawing on research, personal reflection, and the wisdom of Viktor Frankl, this episode examines why compassion satisfaction matters and how it can serve as a protective factor against compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. I discuss: What compassion satisfaction actually is Why meaning and purpose protect against burnout and secondary traumatic stress The emotional impact of animal welfare work How optimism contributes to resilience The importance of social support and community Practicing self-compassion in caregiving professions Positive reframing versus toxic positivity Post-traumatic growth in animal advocacy work Leadership’s role in supporting staff well-being The dangers of martyr mentality in animal welfare Sustainable advocacy and long-term resilience More resources: Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.

In this eye-opening episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I sit down with veterinary receptionist and animal advocate Sam Anderkay to explore the often-overlooked emotional toll carried by veterinary support staff. Sam shares her journey from volunteering at Valley of the Kings Wildlife Sanctuary and Retreat, where she cared for abused and neglected tigers, wolves, bears, and farm animals, to spending nearly eight years on the front lines of veterinary medicine as a customer service representative. We dive into the unique ways compassion fatigue impacts veterinary receptionists, who are often the very first and very last point of contact for distressed and grieving pet parents. Sam opens up about the emotional weight of euthanasia appointments, absorbing client grief, balancing constant multitasking, and the anxiety and depression that nearly pushed her out of the field entirely. We also explore: The differences between compassion fatigue in wildlife rehabilitation versus veterinary medicine Why veterinary support staff are often overlooked in mental health conversations The emotional impact of witnessing client grief day after day How compassion fatigue affected Sam’s mental health, relationships, and daily functioning The importance of boundaries, identity outside of work, and sacred time off The growing movement advocating for veterinary receptionist education and mental health support Continuing education and professional development as protective factors against burnout The role of compassion satisfaction in sustaining long-term animal care work The animals who changed Sam’s life, including a blind tiger named Siva and her beloved German shepherd, Hera Resources: Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected]. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.