In part two of this mini-series, we move beyond nervous system regulation and into practical, in-the-moment communication strategies for handling conflict with the public.

If you work in animal care, welfare, rescue, vet med, or activism and you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or even unsafe during a tense interaction, this episode gives you tools you can actually use right in the moment.

These are the skills that help you stay grounded, protect your energy, and navigate difficult conversations without escalating the situation, and protecting you from burnout.

We explore:

Missed the first part of this mini-series? Check it out here.

Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected].

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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 the first episode of this two-part series of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I dive into one of the most challenging parts of working in animal welfare: dealing with criticism from the public, the kind that feels like “damned if we do, damned if we don’t.” Inspired by a listener’s comment about the heartbreak of seeing coworkers burn out under public scrutiny, I share my own experiences as a former shelter worker.

I also talk about why this criticism hurts so much and the psychology behind public outrage and explains why so much of it isn’t truly about you, but about the critic’s own helplessness.

I’ll teach you some strategies for staying grounded and protecting your nervous system when faced with criticism or hostility, including:

Resources Mentioned:

Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected].

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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. 

My guest today is Dr. Antoine Goetchel, who is a Swiss attorney and leading expert in animal protection law. Since 1985, he has worked to advance legal protections for animals, helping to introduce the concept of the “dignity of the creature” into Swiss Federal Constitution and Animal Protection Act. He founded the Global Animal Law Association and the Foundation for Animals in Law, and has authored 13 books and more than 50 articles on animal law. 

In this episode, we explore:

Antoine's Resources: 

Global Animal Law (GAL) Association website

Article: Animal welfare as the basis of One Health: A UN convention on animal welfare, health, and protection poses a realistic solution to improved animal welfare and human health 

Feeling sad or anxious before an animal loss? That’s anticipatory grief, and if you work in animal care, rescue, welfare, vet med, or activism, it’s normal. In this episode, I explore why anticipatory grief happens, how it shows up, and why it can feel so intense for those of us who care deeply for animals. I also share practical strategies to process grief, stay grounded, and create meaning, so you can continue doing the work you love without losing yourself in the pain.

Topics covered: 

Understanding anticipatory grief in animal welfare

Recognizing signs of grief

Learning strategies to stay present, focused, and resilient

Honoring the animals in your care while protecting your own well-being

Resources:

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Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected].

Follow on social media: 

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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. 

Animal advocates often carry trauma that doesn’t belong only to them—images, losses, and moments that not only linger, but also cause significant distress. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Vanessa Rohlf about EMDR therapy and how it can support those navigating secondary trauma, cumulative loss, and grief in animal welfare and activism.

We explore:

Resources mentioned:

Website   

LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected].

Follow on social media: 

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

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. 

If the phrase “just practice more self-care” makes your eyes roll, this episode is for you.

In animal care, welfare, veterinary medicine, rescue, and activism, we hear the self-care message constantly. And yes, self-care matters. In fact, for some healthcare professionals, it’s considered an ethical responsibility. But here’s the truth:

Self-care and coping skills are not the same thing.

And when we confuse them, we can accidentally fuel guilt, shame, and the belief that we’re somehow “bad” at taking care of ourselves.

In this episode, we'll explore:

The critical difference between proactive self-care and reactive coping skills

What your nervous system actually needs during distress

Why bubble baths won’t fix fight-or-flight

How to choose the right tool at the right time

Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected].

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’m joined by Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, who will take us on a deep dive into compassion fatigue in the ER setting, where life-or-death decisions, intense client emotions, and relentless urgency collide. She shares what compassion fatigue looks like specifically in emergency veterinary medicine, how it differs from other areas of practice, and why ER clinicians are at such high risk for emotional exhaustion, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout. Together, we explore both the personal and systemic factors that shape this experience—and what actually helps.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Resources Mentioned: 

Other Resources:

Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here. 

Visit my free virtual calming room here. 

Check out my Compassion Fatigue Skills and Support Circle here. 

Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here. 

Do you struggle with nightmares related to animal suffering? If so, you're definitely not alone! In this episode, I open up about my own experience with nightmares and explore why nightmares are so common among animal welfare professionals and advocates. If your nights are disrupted by distressing dreams, this episode offers validation, education, and practical tools to help you cope.

We'll explore: 

Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected].

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. 

Those of us who care for animals often experience suffering, cruelty, loss, and moral injury. Over time, those experiences can shape how we see the world, ourselves, and our future. On this episode, my guest Melissa Lee Parent and I discuss the role of mindset in animal care, welfare, and activism, and why your trauma doesn't define who you are.

We Explore: 

What mindset really is 

How mindset can either fuel burnout or support resilience

Common mindset traps in animal welfare

The role of self-talk and internal narratives

Why “you are not your trauma story” matters

Resources Mentioned:

Melissa's website

Instagram

More Resources: 

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 put on my therapist hat and tackle the complexities of communication in the animal care, rescue, welfare, and activism fields. Recognizing that interactions with colleagues, volunteers, and the public can often become challenging, I draw upon John Gottman's Four Horsemen of Communication. It's a framework originally designed for couples counseling, to illustrate universal communication pitfalls and provide strategies for improvement. 

We'll explore: 

Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: [email protected].

Follow on social media: 

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here. 

Visit my free virtual calming room here. 

Check out my Compassion Fatigue Skills and Support Circle here. 

Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.