UNLEASHED (at work & home) with Colleen Pelar: Recent Episodes
Colleen Pelar
Explore the world of human behavior through the lens of a dog trainer. UNLEASHED (at work & home) with Colleen Pelar helps pet professionals to take charge of their personal development. Gain insight into human behavior through interviews with fascinating experts about their work, their successes, their frustrations … and their love of dogs. Are you ready to be more productive, more positive, and more empowered? Get ready to be UNLEASHED!
Eileen Anderson resists easy labels—she’s a dog writer, a passionate amateur, and the person most likely to tell you that the product promising your dog silence during a thunderstorm is working against physics. In this conversation, Eileen shares how a difficult dog pulled her out of a doctoral program and into behavior science, why most sound-dampening products can’t deliver what they promise, and how the simple reframe—your dog is not giving you a hard time, your dog is having a hard time—changed everything about how she understood the animals in her care. A generous, curious, and occasionally myth-busting conversation about dogs, sound, and the people who love them.
https://colleenpelar.com/169-eileen-anderson-mm-ms
Debbie Sheridan has spent her career helping people understand fearful dogs—and unlearning the idea that "obedience" is the goal. As the owner of Debbie's for Dogs, a certified end-of-life doula for companion animals, and a dog bite prevention educator, Debbie brings warmth, directness, and a deep respect for what dogs are actually communicating. In this conversation, she talks about the message on her favorite sweatshirt ("celebrate the growl"), why she asks clients to replace "sit" with "wait," and how kindness isn't just a philosophy, but a practice she traces back to sixth grade.
https://colleenpelar.com/168-debbie-sheridan-uw-aab
Liz Clarke spent decades zigzagging through careers — nursing, witness care, celebrity coaching, travel — before a week in Bulgaria stretched into three months and a street dog named Kathleen changed the direction of her life. Now the founder of Kathleen's Paws, Liz supports animal rescuers and expats in Bulgaria through advocacy, education, and the kind of behind-the-scenes work that frontline rescuers rarely have time to do themselves. In this conversation, she talks about following the signals her body knew before her brain caught up, learning to hold regret loosely, and why she believes animal welfare workers deserve to be recognized — and supported — the way other frontline services are.
https://colleenpelar.com/167-liz-clarke
Jenny Roberts has spent years doing the invisible work that holds a veterinary practice together. As a customer service representative (CSR) at Partners Animal Hospital of Asheville, she's the person who answers the call when someone's pet might be in crisis, who notices the doctor hasn't called back, who makes sure the schedule doesn't quietly implode. In this conversation, Jenny talks about what the CSR role actually involves, why she fell into it by accident and fell in love with it by surprise, and what she's learned about meeting people — and herself — where they are. She also shares the phrase that guides her work with clients: everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
https://colleenpelar.com/166-jenny-roberts
Valerie Bogie spent sixteen years training animals in zoos and aquariums before a convergence of burnout, a cross-country move, and a chance connection led her to veterinary social work. Now she splits her week between animal behavior consulting at a board-certified behaviorist practice and her own business supporting veterinary and pet professionals navigating caregiver burden. In this conversation, Valerie and Colleen explore what happens when the same attunement that makes someone an exceptional animal trainer gets applied to the humans in the room — and why pet professionals may already know more about human behavior than they think.
https://colleenpelar.com/165-valerie-bogie-mssw-vsw-ffcp
Holden Svirsky came to animal behavior sideways — through a layoff, a shelter volunteer shift, and the slow realization that what she'd studied about human learning applied just as well to dogs. Now a behavior consultant and longtime shelter professional, she chairs the Pet Professional Guild's Shelter and Rescue Committee and thinks carefully about what sustains people in this work over the long haul. In this conversation, she talks about connection as a genuine antidote to feeling out of control, why "the vibes were off" is a perfectly valid observation, and what a fortune cookie about sailing taught her about troubleshooting — and about not mistaking a rough patch for a failure.
https://colleenpelar.com/164-k-holden-svirsky-ctc-csat
Melissa McCue-McGrath has spent over 20 years as a dog trainer, and she's writing a book called The Misadventures of the World's Okayest Dog Trainer — which tells you something about how she holds this work.
In this conversation, she talks about carrying old cases in your heart, the particular loneliness of a field where there's often no one to debrief with, and why "forgive yourself" might be the most important advice she has for any pet professional.
If you've ever second-guessed a past decision or felt like you were the only one struggling, this one is for you.
https://colleenpelar.com/163
When things are going badly, it sometimes helps to remind ourselves that “this, too, shall pass.” The flip side of that, of course, is that the good times pass as well. That can seem depressing at first, but what if instead it was simply a reminder to really soak up those good times while they’re there?
That’s the philosophy of dog trainer Morgan Jenkins, who finds encouragement from remembering that everything—good or bad—passes. She came on the show today to talk, not just about the temporary nature of things, but also the importance of recognizing what we don’t know, the nature of grace, and learning to love people.
https://colleenpelar.com/162
“Be kind” is the kind of advice we hear so often that it seems almost trite. But what does it really mean to be kind and why does kindness suddenly seem so much more important than ever? How does kindness look- to others, to animals, to ourselves?
Dog trainer Kim Brophey believes in the power of kindness and giving people grace. Not only does she believe in it, she’s developed a whole system designed to help people look at themselves and their pets holistically, to figure out where the problem is and where kindness is needed. Taking into account everything from genetics to environment to learnings, the LEGS framework can help us relate better to each other and our pets in difficult moments. Come join us for a conversation about kindness, “evolutionary mismatch,” and the healing power of nature.
https://colleenpelar.com/161
Lili Chin didn’t set out to be an animal artist—she set out to be an animator. But a crisis with her own dog drew her into the world of dog training and animal behavior. From there, one thing led to another and suddenly she found that she was the “go to” person for illustrations of animal body language.
Now, her adorable drawings can be found in books, posters, and brochures, helping people understand what their pets are telling them.
One thing she always strives for in her illustrations is simplicity- creating images that are clear, accessible, and easy to understand. Tune in today to hear about Lili’s journey from animator to animal artist, and what she’s learned along the way about animals, herself, and the importance of keeping things simple.
https://colleenpelar.com/160
“Have fun!” These are words we say fairly often, especially to kids. But do we ever say it to ourselves? Do we ever give ourselves permission to “have fun?” And as we get older and assume more responsibilities, what does it even mean to “have fun?” Do we even remember how? Not to mention, who will take care of all the Stuff That Needs Doing if we leave to “have fun?”
My guest today is well aware of all the problems that need to be solved and things that need to be dealt with. And for her, that makes it all the more important to give ourselves time to have fun and enjoy life. Animal behaviorist Dr. Karen London joined me today to chat about the importance of having fun, combatting compassion fatigue, and the strange ways of social insects. Don’t miss it!
Full show notes at https://colleenpelar.com/159
It’s never too late for old dogs—or humans—to learn new tricks. At 77, animal behaviorist and best-selling non-fiction author Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB, has shifted gears and is now publishing her first-ever novel. A murder mystery set amid the world of competitive sheepdog trials, Away to Me features plenty of suspense but rest assured—all the dogs make it out safely!
Patricia came on the show to chat with me about her book, the art of storytelling, and making the most of our "one wild and precious” life.
https://colleenpelar.com/158
The benefits of play therapy and animal-assisted therapy are both well established. Engaging in play and spending time with or learning to care for animals can be valuable interventions for children and adults alike. It makes sense, then, that combining these two approaches can be doubly magical.
This is exactly what my guest today discovered—entirely by accident—twenty years ago. In the two decades since, Tara Moser has combined her love of animals with her work as a play therapist to help children struggling with a variety of issues. She joined me today to talk about how she stumbled into animal play therapy, how kids make great dog trainers, and the importance of play for all of us.
Show notes and transcript at https://colleenpelar.com/157
Psychotherapist and dog professional Ann Howie built her professional life around doing animal-assisted therapy with her own dogs. Then for years, none of her dogs wanted to do that work. She had to adjust her entire vision around what was actually true.
We explore the difference between listening to yourself and actually following through—two separate permissions. Ann shares her wisdom about shifting loads rather than just carrying them, about mental nutrition mattering as much as physical nutrition, and about the delicate balance she calls "the selfishness versus self-care conundrum."
https://colleenpelar.com/156
My guest today always thought she’d be a teacher when she grew up- and in a way she is, but not how she thought! Instead of teaching children, Ellen Yoakum trains dogs and mentors dog trainers in her work with Pet Harmony Training. She joined me today to discuss how self-knowledge makes her a better behaviorist, the importance of knowing and understanding systems, and remembering that the answer to your problem might be something you already know. Come join us!
https://colleenpelar.com/155
Dr. Melissa Trevatan-Minnis is not a pet professional, at least not in the way we traditionally think of them. However, as both a psychologist and a shelter volunteer, she’s familiar with the burnout and mental health strain common among those who work with animals. Now, she’s on a mission to change that through a new research program specifically designed to provide pet professionals with support, guidance, and counseling. Tune in to hear about the amazing work she’s doing and how you can get involved.
https://colleenpelar.com/154
Click here to learn more about the free support groups.
"Don't give up." It's advice we hear all the time, seemingly from everybody, about everything. We hear it so often that it can cease to have any real meaning, and become just a kind of feel-good motivational poster quote that we repeat without thinking. It’s something that’s easy to say and to tell ourselves, but that becomes a lot harder when you actually stop to think about what it means and try to put it into practice.
My guest today, however, knows all about not giving up- both how hard it can be and what rewards it can bring. Dog behavior consultant Francine Coughlin has persevered through multiple careers, cancer, and mental health struggles without ever giving up. Now she runs a dog rescue and training business, dedicated to helping others not give up—on themselves or on their dogs. Join us today for a conversation about determination, dog training, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
https://colleenpelar.com/153
We often hear that life is short, but dog trainer Heide Maglott knows from personal experience just how true that is, and just how quickly things can get turned upside down. After losing both her husband and her best friend in the span of just five years, she responded by embracing her single life, spending time with her animals, and building up her training business.
She came on the show today to discuss her childhood desire to be a dog trainer, the twists and turns that eventually brought her there, the importance of self-trust, and starting life over in an RV.
https://colleenpelar.com/152
“It’s not about you!”
So often, we hear those words used as a rebuke or as something said sharply to snap us out of a fit of self-centeredness. Certainly, most of us don’t necessarily like being reminded that it’s not about us…but what if, instead of making us feel bad or ashamed of our selfishness, those words could be liberating? What if the realization that it is not about us actually made us freer to live our lives?
My guest today believes that it is not, in fact, about her. Jeni Grant has been training dogs for over two decades and in that time she has definitely learned that most things aren’t about her—and that’s a good thing! She joined me today to talk about what that means to her, the importance of self-care, what good support for pet professionals would look like, and the difficulties of being a beginner.
https://colleenpelar.com/151
Kim Palermo is a bit of an anomaly among the guests on this show—someone who is actually doing today what she hoped she would be doing when she was ten (more or less, anyway)! Almost twenty years ago, she took a leap of faith and left a good-paying job to open her own dog-walking business. Now, she runs an updated version of that business (she added training!) with her husband and gets to train dogs and play with puppies all day.
So how did she end up living the dream like this? She joined me today to talk about the journey to where she is now, how hard choices can actually make our lives easier, and the importance of not being afraid to go for what you want.
https://colleenpelar.com/150
Empathy is a common trait among those of us who work with animals—one could even argue that sometimes we have too much of it. My guest today knows full well the importance of empathy, as well as the emotional toll that empathy can take on a person. In her work as a humane enforcement resource officer (HERO), Moani Makaiwi sees both the best and the worst of human-animal interactions. Working in animal welfare, she walks the line between issuing citations and providing people with support to do better. Her work takes something from her even as she loves it, and she’s had to learn—as we all do—how to take care of herself as well as others. Join us today for a conversation about empathy, enrichment, and how it’s okay to not be okay.
https://colleenpelar.com/149
We’ve all heard and read about search and rescue dogs. Most of us doubtless have an image in our mind of intrepid canines locating people lost in the woods or rescuing individuals trapped under piles of rubble. But what actually goes into canine search and rescue work? What does it entail and what is it like going out with your dog, hoping to find the best, but knowing you might encounter the worst?
My guest today is retired canine search specialist Bob Deeds, who spent decades training and deploying with search and rescue dogs, beginning with his very first assignment—the ruins of the Twin Towers. He joined me on the show today to talk about his experiences in search and rescue work, the easiest and hardest parts of the job, and the importance and power of love.
https://colleenpelar.com/148
Normally on this podcast, we talk to people who work with animals. Today, we’re talking to the person who works with the people who work with animals. Tara Cojocaru is the volunteer coordinator at the Humane Society of New Braunfels in New Braunfels, Texas. There she works to organize and support volunteers at the shelter, making sure that everyone knows where to go, what to do, how to do it, and has what they need to get it done. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes roles that nobody thinks about but that the shelter couldn’t work without.
Tara didn’t set out to be an animal shelter volunteer coordinator, though. She ended up there after first meandering through psychology, business, and photography. In our talk today, we discussed how each of those earlier areas of study helps in the work she does now, as well as what it means to be strong, and the joy of seeing both humans and animals thrive.
https://colleenpelar.com/147
We often see people who take big risks or try daring things and admire what we see as their fearlessness. But are they really fearless? Are they genuinely not afraid of things, or are they deep down just as nervous and scared as we are at the prospect of public speaking or starting a business or moving far away from family and friends, and they’ve just learned to hide it and do things anyway?
Dog trainer Ines McNeil has had people describe her as “fearless”...and she hates it. Why? Because (spoiler alert!) she’s just as scared as anyone else. She’s simply learned to push through the fear and do things anyway. She joined me today to talk about some of the anxiety-inducing things she’s done- from moving internationally to publishing her own dog training curriculum- and how pushing through fear can end up being immensely rewarding.
https://colleenpelar.com/146
What do New York City, Hunter S. Thompson, and Latin legal terms have in common? Not much, but they’re all related to my guest today, who moved to New York to pursue a Thompson-inspired writing career and found herself taking up dog training instead, while sporting a tattoo that only lawyers recognize.
Kellie Stevens is the owner of Gonzo Dog, where she specializes in helping anxious and fearful dogs—and their owners—find more joy in their lives. Tune in for a wonderfully philosophical conversation about diving into things, learning to communicate, and why her dog training business is not named after the Muppet.
https://colleenpelar.com/145
Social work is hard. Shelter work is hard. Putting the two of them together seems like it would be almost impossible. But that’s what my guest today has done. Kelly Bremkin is a veterinary social worker who provides mental and emotional support for shelter workers, helping them to navigate the demands and emotional pressures of their job. Over the years, she’s learned a lot about what support really means and what it looks like to different individuals. Join us today for a conversation about recognizing burnout in yourself, personalizing help for others, and the importance of self-compassion.
https://colleenpelar.com/144
Yvonne Rosenberger hoped to be a flight attendant, ended up behind an insurance desk, and realized she didn’t want to die there, so she took her friend’s advice to open her own pet care business. In the process, she’s learned one very important lesson—never say never.
Yvonne joined me on the show today to discuss all the things she was never going to do—from getting married to owning her own business—but somehow ended up doing anyway. Join us for a conversation about self-acceptance, introspection, self-examination, and the bonds we forge with other people’s animals.
Children, both animal and human, instinctively know how to play. The drive to have fun and engage in games is there right from the beginning. As we get older, though, we begin to shut down that instinct to play. We get distracted by the responsibilities of adult life and forget how to simply enjoy the moment. And when we lose access to play, we lose access to its amazing ability to help us heal and bring us joy.
My guest today believes strongly in the power of play- so strongly, in fact, that she named her business after it. Dog trainer and social worker Jodi Smith uses a combination of play therapy and therapy dogs to help both kids and adults who are struggling. She came on the show today to talk about the benefits of play, neurodivergent brains, and the importance of allowing ourselves to wander.
Choice can be empowering. We all want to be in control of our lives and feel like we have some say in what happens to us. But how often do we apply that to the animals in our life? How often do we–perhaps without even meaning to–limit the ability of our animal companions to exercise agency? How often do we limit our own agency?
Today I’m joined by dog trainer Rachael Magee, who believes in a training approach that empowers both people and dogs to make choices and expand their world. Tune in as we discuss her circuitous path to dog training (including a stint working for Middle Eastern royalty!), helping blind dogs, and learning to trust that we are enough.
https://colleenpelar.com/141
There’s a huge world of dog training out there. Family dogs, competition dogs, working dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, scent dogs…they all have unique training needs and Karen Deed has worked with almost all of them! Along the way, she installed computers, trained horses, and discovered positive reinforcement training before it was cool. She joined me today to share the story of the winding and varied road that brought her to where she is now. Tune in as we discuss knowing better and doing better, the importance of kindness (including to yourself), and how dog-training is really about people.
Links worth clicking:
- Canine Connection
- SniffSpot
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/140
We often talk about dogs being “man’s best friend,” but very seldom do we stop to ask, “Am I my dog’s best friend?” Changing the way we think about our relationship can change the way we interact with our dogs, and has the potential to make our friendships with them even deeper and more meaningful.
This is the philosophy that my guest today brings to her training. Sarah Rutten sees dog training as being less about training the dog and more about training the human to understand and interact with the dog better. She’s even written a book, The Canine Perspective, to help humans understand where their canine companions are coming from a little bit better. She joined me today all the way from Australia to talk about burnout, special “heart dogs,” and doing hard things.
Links worth clicking:
- The Canine Perspective
- @thecanineperspective on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
- Sarah's book, The Canine Perspective: Using Force-Free Methods to Unleash Your Dog's Potential
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/139
With today’s twenty-four hour news cycle, coupled with the rise of social media, we often feel as though we are constantly being bombarded with headlines, most of them negative. It can be hard to keep any kind of positive attitude at all as we are perpetually reminded of all the things that are wrong in the world. Before long, we find ourselves feeling stuck and hopeless.
Vet tech and behavior specialist Tabitha Kucera knows those feelings of depression and hopelessness, but she also knows the immense power of having a PMA--positive mental attitude--especially when things are hard. That doesn’t mean falling into toxic positivity, but instead finding the good where it is, recognizing what is in your power to do, and learning to be kind to yourself. Tune in as we discuss the value of finding and providing mentorship, learning to understand yourself, and the importance of knowing your own worth.
Links worth clicking:
- Chirrups and Chatter
- @chirrupsandchatter on Facebook and Instagram
- @behaviorvettech on TikTok
- Tails from a Vet Tech podcast
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/138
A lot of dog trainers have come on the show, but most of them didn’t start out wanting to be dog trainers, or even realize that was an option until later in life. Today, however, the script is flipped as I’m joined for perhaps the first time by a dog trainer who actually grew up wanting to be a dog trainer!
Of course, life still had plenty of surprises in store for trainer Kari Joly, and despite being the thing she wanted to be as a kid, it wasn’t a straight path to get there, nor does it look exactly like she thought it would.
Join us today as she shares how she went from wanting to train guide dogs to helping train family dogs, as well as a discussion about confidence, humility, and the importance of celebrating the small wins.
Links worth clicking:
- Pawsitive Families
- Family Paws Parent Education
- Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Unleashed (at work & home) episodes with Eylsia Ostrander (Kari's business partner) and Jennifer Shryock (founder of Family Paws Parent Education)
https://colleenpelar.com/137
The modern world is full of noise. We are constantly surrounded by sound, always hearing something. But there’s a difference between hearing and listening. We may be doing the former, but are we doing the latter? What does it mean anyway, to really and truly listen to the people, the animals, the world around us?
Dog trainer and end-of-life doula Kathy Wolff believes in the power of listening deeply to help us connect with the people and animals in our lives, strengthen our relationships with them, and be present with them when they need us most. She joined me today for a conversation about listening, bereavement, and how to spin with dog hair (yes, you read that right). Don’t miss it!
Links worth clicking:
- Mosaic Dog Training
- Mosaic Dog Training on Facebook
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/136
Grief, regret, and loss are not things any of us like to experience but they remain an inevitable part of life, particularly for pet professionals. Grief isn't just about death. It also shows up when we have desires that can't be fulfilled. Sometimes there are relationships that can't be healed, dreams that can't be realized, decisions that can't be changed, animals that cannot be saved, each of these situations (and many others) can evoke grief.
Robynn Harris is a non-profit dog trainer, who understands the grief that is part of love, and she works to help support people through it by providing free end-of-life care for animals. Join us today for a discussion about the importance of community, the nature of grief, and how guilt can help us do better going forward.
Links worth clicking:
- Assembly of the Wandering Shepherd
- Assembly of the Wandering Shepherd on Facebook
- Robynn's Facebook profile
- Recommended reading: The Power of Regret: How Looking Back Moves Us Forward, Daniel H. Pink, and No More Dead Dogs, a novel by Gordon Korman about a boy who is tired of being assigned to read books where the dog dies in the end.
https://colleenpelar.com/135
When we talk about the “human-animal connection,” most of us tend to think of it in positive terms–therapy animals, childhood pets, and all the many ways that animals enrich our lives. What we don’t often think about, however, is the darker side of that bond–how animal abuse and other forms of domestic and family violence are often interconnected and can even be warning signs of each other. But when we treat violence against animals as completely separate from violence against humans, we often miss the chance to help vulnerable individuals of all species.
My guest today, Phil Arkow, has spent decades studying the link between humans and animals in both its best and worst forms. A pioneer of animal therapy as well as the founder of the National Link Coalition, which works to raise awareness of the link between animal abuse and other forms of violence, Phil has seen both the dark and light sides of the human-animal bond. He came on the show today to talk about his work and share some words to live by.
Links worth clicking
- The National Link Coalition (sign up for their newsletter!)
- AnimalTherapy.net
- Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities: A Study and Research Resource Guide for the Use of Companion Animals in Animal Assisted Interventions, 12th edition, 2021
- An Unleashed (at work & home) conversation about Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) scores with Samantha Clarke, LCSW
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey
https://colleenpelar.com/134
Pet professionals, by and large, are giving people. We pour ourselves out in service to animals and their owners, often to the point of forgetting to take care of ourselves (or only giving ourselves enough care that we can keep helping others). All too often, this leads to exhaustion and burnout.
My guest today wants pet professionals to know that you are worthy of having a good life. Liz Ford has learned in her years of shelter work and dog training that sometimes it’s all right to fill your cup just for yourself, and not simply so you can keep serving others. She joined me today for a thought-provoking conversation about learning more, doing better, and not allowing yourself to be blinded by negativity bias.
Links worth clicking:
- Best Friends Dog Academy
- Liz's Facebook profile
- The breathwork episode of Unleashed (at work & home) Liz mentioned
- Breath, by James Nestor I found this book fascinating. For the first time, I understand why people have more breathing issues than most animals.
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/133
We often think of our human intelligence as being superior to that of animals. But what if we’re wrong? What if the intelligence of animals is equal to ours, only different? How might that change our view of the world around us, and of the animals sharing our planet?
My guest today is a pet professional who embraces the view of animals as distinct-but-equal travelers accompanying us on this journey through space and time. Doing both social work and shelter work means that MaryKaye Kendrick is no stranger to hard situations and the burnout that can result. But from this she’s learned empathy for the vast array of experiences, both human and animal, in the world around her. Join us today as we discuss how small things can have great impacts, putting your focus on the things you can control, and how to hold on to hope without sliding into toxic positivity.
Links worth clicking
- Pet Harmony Animal Behavior and Training website
- Enrichment for the Real World podcast
- Pet Harmony on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/132
Bringing home a new dog is a major life change, bringing home a new baby even moreso. Yet resources designed to help families adjust to having both two and four-legged babies in the house seem to be few and far between and often focused more on dogs and kids as antagonists than anything else.
That’s where my guest today comes in. Dog trainer Elysia Ostrander specializes in helping families navigate the sometimes choppy waters of parenting both children and dogs. She joined me today from the far frozen north (Calgary, Canada to be precise) to talk about how training dogs helps her be a better mom (and vice versa), the importance of knowing your own capacity, and the necessity of keeping your cup full.
Links worth clicking:
- Elysia's Pawsitive Families website, Facebook, and Instagram
- Jen Shryock's episode on Unleashed (at work & home)
- Family Paws Parent Education
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/131
A little kindness can make all the difference to someone- and a lot of kindness can make even more. Especially in a world that seems increasingly negative and toxic, kindness definitely seems to be the one thing you can’t have too much of.
My guest today takes that philosophy to heart, always striving to be as kind as possible and then some. Ashley Orcutt is a killer-whale-toy-designer-turned-dog-trainer (yes, you read that right) who believes in bringing as much kindness to the world as possible. Join us as we discuss the similarities between dog training and dolphin training, a wish for more patience, and how to get a job at Sea World.
Links worth clicking:
- Canine Cohesion
- Ashley's Facebook and Instagram handles: @horizon.dogs, @thedogdoor, @feelingpawsitivevetbehavior
- Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to find your level of risk and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/130
Raised in Germany, educated in England, and currently training dogs in Alabama, my guest today has certainly had an interesting time! Like so many in the dog training world, Frances Dauster began as a force-based trainer, only to have her life changed by the magic of positive reinforcement training. Now she works to take those lessons into other areas of life, and help her clients enjoy their dogs. She joined me today to talk about the importance of flexibility, what an incident at boarding school taught her about integrity, and the humbling experience of training chickens.
Links worth clicking
- Sunpaws Training & Boarding
- Connect on Facebook with Frances and Sunpaws
- On Being a Change Maker, article by Karen Pryor
- Feeling exhausted or stressed? Take the burnout assessment to see where you stand and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/129
“What do you want?” It’s a simple question and it seems like it should have a simple answer. Yet so many of us, especially as we get older and lose ourselves in the business of our lives, seem to lose sight of what should be a very straightforward thing. What do we want? And even if we know (or somehow figure out) what we want, we’re often too uncertain or timid to ask for it.
Maggie Marshall is a dog trainer who spent years forgetting herself. Just recently, however, she’s learned not only to ask herself what she wants, but to take the time to think about the answer and go for it. She joined me today to talk not just about knowing what we want, but about the importance of knowing our gifts, the surprising lessons we learn from children, and the secret dog training tool you already have in your kitchen.
Links worth clicking:
- Maggie's training website
- Feeling exhausted and stressed? Take the burnout assessment to see where you stand and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/128
Slow and steady…gets the toenails trimmed? While that may not be my guest’s official motto, it’s one she would probably agree with. Dr. Deb Jones wrote the book- literally- on cooperative care, an approach to animal care that requires patience but yields great rewards. Her years as a psychology professor, dog trainer, and writer have taught her a lot about the importance of hard work and how almost anything is achievable if you’re willing to take it slow and be consistent. Tune in for a conversation about ripple effects, feeling successful, and doing what you need to do.
Links worth clicking:
- Cooperative Care Facebook group
- Cooperative Care Certificate
- K9 in Focus, Deb's training site
- Some of Deb's most popular books:
- Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stress-Free Husbandry
- Dog Sports Skills, Book 1: Developing Engagement & Relationship
- Dog Sports Skills, Book 2: Motivation
- Dog Sports Skills, Book 3: Play
- Dog Sports Skills, Book 4: Focused & Engage!
- In Focus: Developing a Working Relationship with Your Performance Dog
- The Focused Puppy
- When the Loss is Deep: A Companion Animal Grief Journal
- Feeling exhausted and stressed? Take the burnout assessment to see where you stand and start your recovery journey.
https://colleenpelar.com/127
This post may contain affiliate links. When you click them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that my guests or I have used or have experience with.
Grief is a part of life for all of us, but--as too many pet professionals know all too well--there is a particularly deep strain of it that often runs through work with animals. That grief, and the toll it takes on on us--not just mentally and emotionally, but physically and even spiritually--is the reason so many of us become utterly burnt out.
Although she isn’t your typical pet professional, today’s guest has a deep and abiding love for animals and is intimately acquainted with both the joy and the grief that a life spent alongside them can bring. As a chaplain, grief worker, and strengths coach, Dallas Rising spends her time helping others learn to process the emotional, spiritual, and physical ramifications of deep loss. Join us for a conversation about trauma, healing, finding the sacred, and experiencing and joy.
https://colleenpelar.com/126
We hear a lot about the importance of “staying positive,” but with depressing headlines bombarding us what seems like every waking minute and the inescapable “doomscrolling” so many of us get sucked into, staying positive can be hard. It can even seem pointless or naive. Isn’t it better to confront reality, no matter how harsh, than be constantly trying to Pollyanna our way out of things?
Humane educator Heddie Wittlin-Leger is no stranger to the harsher aspects of life. In particular, her work with incarcerated individuals has shown her plainly how dark things can get. But she still believes in the importance of finding that silver lining and focusing on the positive, not the negative aspects of any given situation. Tune in as she and I chat about thinking outside the box, the ability of people to change against all odds, and the joy of life with a disabled dog.
https://colleenpelar.com/125
Burnout is an issue that affects almost everybody at some point, and pet professionals are no exception. Often it seems to hit us out of nowhere, but looking back the warning signs were almost always there- we just didn’t see them at the time. Learning to recognise those signs in the moment and respond appropriately can save us from falling into burnout, bitterness, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Writer and dog trainer Teoti Anderson is no stranger to burnout, and she’s learned from experience the best ways to guard against it. Join us today as we chat about setting boundaries, learning not to take things so personally, and the importance of recognizing when you need chocolate.
https://colleenpelar.com/124
Debbie Martin isn't only a vet tech. She's also a subject matter expert, an author, a public speaker, and a “psychiatric nurse for dogs.” Connecting all these roles together is a love of the relationships formed in each one, with both people and their dogs. Debbie joined me today to talk about the many hats she wears and how each one brings something to her life. Listen in as we discuss the similarities between child and puppy development, learning to meditate, a near-death experience on the highway, and living in the moment.
https://colleenpelar.com/123
We often hear that we need to “find our purpose” in life. But so often, that’s easier said than done. What does it even mean to “have a purpose” and how on earth are we supposed to determine something simultaneously so vague and so weighty? How do we know if we’re right or if what we’ve latched on to even is a “purpose” at all?
Stephanie Frank has worked in computer technology, then as a business consultant, and finally as a dog trainer, but it was the poignant words of a friend’s widow that ultimately helped her define not just was purpose meant, but what her particular one was. She joined me today to discuss not only finding one’s purpose, but living without regret and learning to trust the universe.
https://colleenpelar.com/122
Not everybody leaves a successful culinary career to take up dog training almost on a whim. But my guest today, Susan Marett, did just that. Along the way, she’s learned a great deal about everything from self-acceptance to the care and keeping of parrots.
Join us today for a conversation about encountering oneself, the best cure for sadness, taking up your rightful space, and even a sidetrack into falconry. Plus she gave us not one, but two sets of words that inspire her. Talk about overdelivering!
https://colleenpelar.com/121
As anybody who has ever loved one knows, animals can help us be better people. Emotional regulation, compassion, and trust are all things that animals help us grow in, no matter our age or circumstances. In fact, it can even be its own form of therapy- literally. Today, licensed professional counselor and self-described “horse girl,” Kim Cardeccia joined me to talk about how she combines her love of horses with her practice of therapy to help people learn to bring their brightness to the world.
At first glance, there wouldn’t seem to be much in common between interior decorating and dog training. But, like so many things in life, scratch the surface and you find more similarities than you might think. My guest today, Kym Iffert, left the world of interior design to pursue a career in dog training, and found that the skills she used as a decorator gave her a valuable perspective on dogs. Join us as we discuss her journey from beautifying spaces to training dogs, the difficult decision that led her there, and finding joy and purpose even in hard and draining work.
https://colleenpelar.com/119
We talk a lot about the importance of “being yourself,” but what exactly does that mean? How are we supposed to do it? And how can we help other people do it as well? Although it may not be what we first think of, one of the most important things we need in order to be our authentic selves- and help others do the same- is safety. Only when we feel safe are we able to really explore ourselves, to be honest about our weaknesses, and lean in to our strengths.
Dog trainer (and aspiring therapist) Kristina Bryte came on the show today to talk about creating a space where not only people but animals can feel safe to be their true selves.
https://colleenpelar.com/118
The term “free spirit” is frequently used to describe all different kinds of people--hippies, artists, slightly crazy geniuses. Really, almost anyone who lives life a little off the beaten path. But what does that phrase actually mean? Just what, exactly, makes one a “free spirit?” And if you’re not one, can you become one? If so, how?
Today on the show, I talked to dog trainer Carol Sumbry about this very topic. Join us as we discuss her (rather circuitous) path into the world of animals, feeding your soul, and finding moments of gold in your everyday life.
https://colleenpelar.com/117
Without meaning to- or sometimes even realizing it- it can be the easiest thing in the world to limit ourselves. All too often we allow outside expectations, other people’s opinions, and our own fear to confine us to a life that is less than fulfilling.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Dog trainer Lauren Van Duzer joined me today to talk about how a tragic event pushed her out of her comfort zone and gave her the courage to live a life reaching beyond the confines of “safety.” https://colleenpelar.com/116
Old age, death, and loss are topics most of us prefer to avoid. They’re uncomfortable, sometimes even painful to discuss, and most people don’t like to think about their own mortality.
Death, however, is an inevitable part of life, and avoiding conversations about it can make it even harder for us to become comfortable with it. Helen St. Pierre- founder of No Monkey Business Dog Training and the non-profit Old Dogs Go To Helen- has spent the past several years helping senior and hospice dogs to live the best life they can before passing on. She joined me today to talk about becoming comfortable with the reality of death while finding meaning and beauty in caring for animals at the end of their life. https://colleenpelar.com/115
Everybody has a story that will break your heart. We all have our own traumas and dog trainers are no exception. Working with dogs and their owners is deeply rewarding, but it is also often a difficult and emotionally grueling task that leaves trainers feeling burnt out and emotionally and mentally exhausted. While this is a real problem, there are few resources out there designed to help trainers and behaviorists who are struggling in this regard.
Annie Phenix knows firsthand the stress and pressure that leads many dog trainers to leave the field they loved, feeling exhausted and frustrated. She joined me today to talk about her own journey in and out of dog training, and her mission to provide support and advocacy for struggling trainers.
Whether we like it or not, fear is a powerful force in our lives- fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of losing the people and things that are important to us. Even as much of the animal world shifts to a “fear free” mindset when it comes to training and interacting with animals, many of us still struggle to let go of our own fears. Too often, that fear keeps us trapped in uncomfortable and painful situations, or prevents us from doing things we love or aspire to.
Mikkel Becker, the lead animal trainer at Fear Free Pets, came on the show today to talk about overcoming the fears that hold us back and keep us from living full and joyful lives. Join us as we discuss giving yourself grace, granting yourself permission to do things, and getting career advice from Diane Sawyer. https://colleenpelar.com/113
What we want to do is very often different from what we should do (or at least, what we think we should do). Obligations and responsibilities need to be met, but the temptation is always there to push them off until later and spend the current moment doing something more pleasurable.
Malena DeMartini joined me today to talk about balancing doing what we ought vs. doing what we want and to take me through her roundabout path from corporate America to enthusiastic dog trainer.
https://colleenpelar.com/112
None of us like to acknowledge that things might not turn out fine, yet we all know deep down that that’s always a possibility. How do we deal with the chance that things might not be all right in the end?
For Veronica Jarvinen, founder of EMMAvet Veterinary Urgent Care, it’s important to acknowledge plainly that things might not be fine, make sure we’ve done everything we can to ensure the best possible outcome, and then go forward secure in the knowledge that we’ve done our best. She joined me today to talk about using this mindset in her own business to create an intentional workplace where her employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
We hear a lot about the importance of not judging, whether that’s not judging ourselves or not judging others. Most of us probably try to live by that advice, but it’s often harder than it sounds. So often we fall into attitudes of judgment without even meaning to, especially when it comes to ourselves, where our judgments are often the harshest of all. That attitude of judgment can cloud our perspective on things, making it hard for us to see the actual truth of the matter.
Learning to recognize those moments of judgment and peel them away to see the truth underneath can lead to important insights about ourselves and give us clarity about our lives.
Psychologist and dog trainer Amy Binder joined me today to talk about how her work with at-risk kids and at-risk dogs taught the importance of letting go of judgment to look at things honestly.
We’re used to the idea of work and play being not just separate things, but often polar opposites. Work is serious, play is frivolous. Work is necessary, play is more optional. Work is useful and productive, play is our less useful reward for putting in all that productive work. But while this is definitely the case sometimes, does it really have to be the case all the time?Professional pet sitter Collin Funkhouser came on the show to discuss this very thing. Join us as we discuss what the ideal form of work looks like, and finding joy and value in your job- even if it’s one that people don’t take seriously.
“I should do this, I should do that…” Our lives are full of “shoulds,” of tasks and errands that we feel obligated to do, and that gnaw away at us when we don’t. Many of us go through our days carrying the guilt and anxiety that results from not having done or accomplished everything we “should.” Needless to say, this is hardly a recipe for a healthy or flourishing emotional life.What if it didn’t have to be this way, though? What if we could free ourselves from the guilt of “should” and instead embrace a mentality where even necessary tasks become a conscious choice we make, instead of an obligation? Cat behavior consultant Misty Hampton joined me today to talk about the freeing power of getting rid of the “should”s in her life.
Communication is at the heart of any relationship. So much of a healthy relationship depends on being able to communicate our thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires to the people we love. This isn’t always easy, of course- wires get crossed, words get misunderstood. And all of this gets even harder when one of us isn’t human. We love our pets and we think (or at least hope) that they love us as well. But how can we be sure when we can’t speak the same language? Is it even possible for us to have authentic communication with our animal friends?Pat Blocker joined me today to talk about this very issue. A lifelong animal lover, Pat has always had a desire to communicate with pets. Now, in her capacities as both a dog trainer and a certified animal communicator, she does just that. Join us as we discuss how we can communicate better with animals, and what we can learn simply by paying attention.
Each of us has visions of what we want in life- things we hope to do, achieve, and experience. Envisioning, planning, and daydreaming about these things can be useful and is certainly enjoyable, but when it comes time to take action to try and make them a reality…well, that can be intimidating, even frightening. It’s often tempting--and always easier--to simply enjoy the daydream.
So how do we inspire ourselves to act? To take that first step towards making our dreams a reality? For Laura Perkins, it means remembering the “beauty, magic, and power” of boldness, even in the seemingly small actions of sending that email or making that phone call. She joined me today to talk about her career, building a community, and being willing to be bold.
It makes sense to say that we can’t do it all. After all, we’re each just one person, and no one person can do everything, right?
But then you meet someone like Dr. Meghan Herron who seems like she really has done it all- gone to veterinary school, raised two kids, and single-handedly started an entirely new program of study at OSU- and you can’t help but wonder if maybe there is some way to do it all.
But how? What’s the secret? How can you possibly do everything you both need and want to without going stark raving mad?
Dr. Herron joined me today to talk about her work as a behavioral vet and her philosophy to “doing it all” while protecting your own mental health and avoiding burnout.
Our lives very rarely take the paths we think they will. Even if we end up where we planned, we seldom take the route we thought we would. Looking back, it’s sometimes easy to see how a combination of seemingly unconnected chances, events, and decisions led us to where we are (for good or ill), but in the moment we often feel as though we’re flying blind. And then there are the times we’re sure we’ve made the right decision only to look back later and see how wrong or misinformed we were, despite our best efforts.
Professional pet sitter Maria Giaccio always thought she’d work with animals, but didn’t get there the way she thought she would. Join us as we discuss her roundabout route to owning a doggy daycare, reflect on Maya Angelou’s words about knowing and doing better, and remember the importance of having compassion for our past selves.
Whether it’s relationships, jobs, finances, health, or a dozen other areas, everybody wants to feel as though they have control over their life. We crave the security that comes from knowing–or at least feeling like we know–where we’re headed, and that things are going according to plan. But the truth is that we actually have control over far fewer things than we might like.
While facing the limits of our control can be frightening, it can also be liberating and allow us to achieve a certain amount of calm, even in the face of uncertainty. Today, dog trainer and vet tech Stephanie Kern joined me to talk about her experiences working with dogs and how she’s learned to embrace the fact most things are outside of her control.
https://colleenpelar.com/103
Time, whether we like it or not, marches on. All our experiences, both good and bad, are only temporary.
Reminding ourselves of this can be a double-edged sword. While it may make it easier for us to soldier on through the hard times, remembering that they won’t last forever, it can also be disheartening to remember that all the good times will pass away as well.
But maybe the well-known saying that “this too shall pass” doesn’t have to be a source of sadness when we apply it to the things we love. Maybe instead, it can be an inspiration to dive headlong into whatever comes our way, making the most of it while it lasts.
Dog trainer and anthrozoologist Marika Bell came on the show to discuss this with me, as well as share stories of her many and varied experiences with animals ranging from bears to dogs to deadly snakes.
https://colleenpelar.com/102
We all know the old adage “practice makes perfect.” At first glance, it seems like good advice.
Isn’t perfection the goal, the thing we should all strive for? After all, if something is perfect it is, by definition, the best it can possibly be. Nothing can be better than that–or can it? Is there something out there that could be better than the ever-elusive “perfect?” Turns out there just might be!
Join dog trainer Rebecca Johnson and me as we discuss the limits of perfectionism, as well as gardening, lemurs, and whether there is such a thing as better than perfect.
https://colleenpelar.com/101
Stress. Burnout. Compassion fatigue. These are issues everybody faces, but are especially common among pet professionals. Awareness around these issues is growing, but it can still be hard to know what to do when we find ourselves in those tough times.
As a dog trainer and a licensed clinical social worker, Sarah Pellizzari is an expert at taking care of both animals and people. The owner of Southern Colorado Animal Assisted Therapy and Training, Sarah taps the human-animal bond to help both dogs and people overcome trauma to lead healthy, flourishing lives. Join us as we discuss self-compassion, mental health awareness, creating a supportive community, and the power of hope to see us through difficult times and create a better tomorrow.
https://colleenpelar.com/100
Time. It’s quite possibly our most precious resource, and one that many of us feel we never have enough of. With what can seem like a million things all clamoring for our attention at once, trying to figure out how to prioritize our time and use it wisely can feel overwhelming and well-nigh impossible.
Perhaps the solution lies in changing how we look at time in the first place. Kathrine Christ, MIA, CTC, CDBC, the executive director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), joined me to talk about how the words of a literal wizard help her use her time with greater deliberation and intentionality.
Support is essential to all of our endeavors. If we lack the support and encouragement of those around us, especially our nearest and dearest, our mental and emotional well-being suffers and success becomes harder to achieve.
But what exactly does support look like? Where does it come from and how do we find it? What does it mean not just to receive support, but to give it as well?
Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB, joined me to talk about what support has meant to her over the course of her decades-long career, as well as how she tries to give back by supporting the veterinary behaviorists of tomorrow.
https://colleenpelar.com/98
What you think about you matters most.
External validation means you are measuring your self-worth based on what other people think of your behavior.
Internal validation means you are clear about who you are and what you value, so you always have an easy way to measure your success.
Listen in on this great conversation with Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB. She shared her thoughts about the power of internal validation as well as her own simple metric for evaluating each day.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Imposter syndrome is extraordinarily common and incredibly debilitating.
All around, you see capable, competent pet pros who are doing a terrific job.
And I'm here to tell you that most of them can't see how amazing they are.
Can you? Do you know how amazing you are?
If you struggle with imposter feelings, it's likely that at least one of the seven reasons in this episode has gotten in your way.
A limiting belief is something you believe to be true that constrains your choices in some way. It's a belief that "that's just the way things are, and there's nothing I can do about it."
Often you won't even recognize your limiting beliefs and so you'll never test them to see if they help or hinder you.
Learning to recognize your limiting beliefs and make more active choices allows you to show up in support of yourself in more empowering ways. https://colleenpelar.com/95
How much is "enough" and how much is an "abundance?" This varies by category and circumstance.
We often think of money when we talk about abundance. How much money would you need to have to feel abundant?
What about other categories? How many supportive relationships would feel like an abundance? How much time to dedicate to your own interests and needs? What amount of sleep would be abundant for you?
Meredith Jones, DVM, joined me to talk about abundance in its many forms.
Tell me, what's something that is either free or very inexpensive that makes you feel abundant?
There's magic in diving deep into a subject and learning as much as you possibly can about it. There's something so exciting and energizing about it.
Hannah Branigan, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, is a self-described nerd. Her passion subjects include dog training, Applied Behavior Analysis, and neuroscience. That's quite a mix!
She joined me for a fun conversation about the power of owning your interests and pursuing them with passion.
https://colleenpelar.com/93
FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST
Far too often, your attention is focused more on other people's priorities than your own. Focus gives you purpose to pursue work that's meaningful to you and the freedom to do what you choose, feeling present, calm, and content.
Pet professionals often find their work isolating and draining. Maintaining a focus on what matters most to you re-energizes you and helps you build the habits, practices, and connections that fuel you.
You deserve to enjoy your day-to-day life.
There's no one better than DogBiz's president, Veronica Boutelle, to talk about focus with. For nearly two decades, DogBiz has been helping dog pros build their businesses with careful deliberation so they can do good work and also earn a good living.
https://colleenpelar.com/92
Judgment requires comparison, but comparison does not require judgment.
Learn to harness your brain's natural gift of comparison without letting it harm your self-image, productivity, or motivation.
https://colleenpelar.com/91
This conversation about dogs, dinosaurs, and discovery is just what the doctor ordered.
The inner demons of perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and overthinking tell you that you have to do everything “the right way.”
But that’s not true.
There’s tremendous value in doing something just for the sheer joy of the experience, without any attachment to whether you do it well.
Laugh and learn with Sue Sternberg in this wide-ranging conversation.
The most powerful discoveries are the ones you make about yourself. https://colleenpelar.com/90
Joy seems like a simple, uncomplicated emotion, but it often sits side by side with more difficult emotions.
Joy’s power comes from the yin and yang of life, the ups and downs. Joy gives us moments of elation, connection, and awe that are only powerful because we are also familiar with darkness. Joy points out what is good right now.
Here we are at the end of a long, hard year. It's been a year filled with change and uncertainty.
You’ve probably been so busy this year with a variety of concerns that you haven’t taken time to acknowledge all the ways, big and small, that you’ve shown up for yourself.
Get ready to feel more empowered, more confident, and more aware of your own impact. https://colleenpelar.com/88
Have you ever had a piggy bank? Do you remember putting coins into it and listening to them rattle around? Did yours have a plug in the bottom that you could open to remove money or did you have to break it open? Wasn't it amazing that the money that took so long to accumulate could disappear so quickly?
A piggy bank (or a marble jar) is a great metaphor for trust. Trust is built slowly over time. And, if you aren't careful, can be lost in a moment.
It's likely that you are extremely trustworthy in your commitments to others, but you may be prone to letting yourself down. And that's a betrayal of the worst kind.
Learning to keep your commitments to yourself is a foundational key to creating a life you love (so much so that we spent a full month getting better at honoring personal commitments in UNLEASHED Resilience in October).
Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, and I had a wide-ranging discussion in which we looked a trust from a variety of angles. Since reliability is such a key factor in trust, we explored ways of setting yourself up for success, including internal and external forms of motivation and reinforcement.
As I often joke, everything in life relates to dog training, and we certainly proved that true with this conversation. 😄 https://colleenpelar.com/87
Check out Susan Friedman's episode on UNLEASHED (at work & home) about being a bold learner. She often uses the piggy bank analogy as well.
If you're eager to learn more, check out Atomic Habits, James Clear's excellent book about building habits by making behaviors obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying, and Brene Brown's work, including The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Braving the Wilderness, Rising Strong, and Dare to Lead
What should you do when you're worried?
Worry is one of the most common human emotions. You come from a long line of worriers because worriers are survivors.
But most of the problems we face in modern society don't threaten your survival, so your brain's worry mode can actually work against you.
In this episode, we'll explore why we worry and the skills you can develop to worry less and focus on problem solving. https://colleenpelar.com/86
Loving kindness meditations (also commonly known as LKM or metta) are the act of sending kindness, warmth, and goodwill toward others.
The concept is simple, but the benefits are profound. Loving kindness is a great way get started with meditation without having to sit still or be calm.
https://colleenpelar.com/85
Pain is a powerful teacher.
No one enjoys pain. Physical pain. Emotional pain. By its very definition, it hurts.
And yet, pain can also bring unexpected gifts. It can narrow and focus your attention to point out what you truly value.
Pain offers you the opportunity to look at situations from a new perspective, to make different choices, and to be more grateful for all that you have.
In this episode, Jennifer Shryock, CDBC, and I discuss some of the insights she's had while awaiting spinal surgery. (This episode was recorded several weeks ago. Jen is now recovering well!) https://colleenpelar.com/84
Behavior deteriorates under stress.
That simple statement has been in most of my presentations, regardless of whether I’m talking about dogs or people. It’s a key idea that we need to keep in mind for reducing behavior we don’t like and creating better responses.
Michael Shikashio is well known for his work with aggressive dogs. To shake things up a bit, I invited him to join me in a conversation about aggressive behavior … in people.
The human brain is more sophisticated than the canine brain. People often point to our bigger brains as evidence that we are more evolved, more rational, and more thoughtful about our behavior.
It’s a nice story, but the vast majority of our behavior springs from the limbic system, the center of our emotions. Aggression is closely tied to emotion. And it can be a powerful tool for getting what we want—in the short term, it works!
But the risks of aggression outweigh the rewards. Aggressive behavior breaks down trust and communication. It destroys rapport. We’re a social species; we need good relationships with others before we can truly thrive.
https://colleenpelar.com/83
IF I DON'T FOLLOW MY HEART, WILL I HAVE REGRETS?
That's such a powerful question. None of us can be guaranteed an easy life or one without risk--no matter how much we may wish for safety and certainty.
And, knowing that, we're faced with choices that require introspection: What would you like to have happen? And are you brave enough to go for it?
Ann Waterbury, CPDT-KA, UW-AAB, CNWI, CDBC, talked with me about the transformation and living life without regrets.
Tell us, what do you feel called to do?
https://colleenpelar.com/82
Jenny Blake is the author of Pivot: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One. I invited her to come on UNLEASHED (at work & home) because we're all in state of flux these days. Every pet professional is being asked to change standard ways of doing business, and it's stressful. But it can also be exciting.
Jenny likes to think of this as "radical reimagining." What possibilities do you see when you lean into your intuition and judgment?
Gavin de Becker's book, The Gift of Fear, does a great job of explaining how your senses are always communicating with you to keep you safe--when you don't override them with logic or a need to be perceived as nice or polite.
You know the power of these gifts. You need to rely them daily in your work with animals. But do you trust them to guide you in your interactions with other people? With yourself?
Sometimes you'll get caught in a frustrating loop, wondering "What is wrong with me? Shouldn't I be happy?" You may even get sucked into a spiral of guilt or feel powerless to make changes.
You don't need to feel guilty. And you aren't powerless.
During this time of tremendous change, take this opportunity to explore what you want for your life ... and what's getting in the way.
Jenny and I discussed the power of Byron Katie's books, including Loving What Is and A Mind at Home with Itself. Byron Katie is most known for her four pivotal questions that can help you shift your mindset and discover new options:
- Is it true?
- Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
- How do you react when you believe that thought?
- Who would you be without the thought?
Becoming more aware of your thoughts (whew, so many thoughts!!!!) and learning to broaden your perspective are two of the most valuable life skills anyone can develop. If you'd like some support with this, let's talk!
You are not alone; it just feels that way.
Have you ever received a complaint that undermined your confidence? Ever gotten a bad review that made you doubt your skill? It's a terrible experience, isn't it?
Complaints are a common occurrence these days. And in most cases, the complaint says more about the complainer than the complainee. But when you're the focus on the compliant, it's scary, unsettling, and, often, lonely.
In this episode, Marci Kirk, DVM, shares her experience with a Board licensure complaint and how developing the courage to share her experience made the whole situation better.
Community is a big piece of resilience. Finding your people--the ones who will cheer your wins and remind you of your strength when you struggle--is key. There's incredible power in working together. Great groups make it easier for each person to make changes and grow.
If you are a pet pro looking for a safe, supportive community that will help you grow into your best self, check out the Positive Changes small-group coaching program. You are not alone. Together we are stronger. https://colleenpelar.com/positive-changes
"You love dogs. I love dogs. Let's talk about that."
There's incredible power in finding common ground and using that to build a foundation for growth.
Laurie Williams, owner of Pup N' Iron Canine Enrichment Center, joined me to talk about the power of relationships for improving results. She shared her ideas of how pet professionals can improve their communication with clients--and also with other pet professionals.
What would the world look like if we put the same care and attention toward our fellow humans as we give to animals?
It requires effort and intention, but the benefits are profound.You'll get new ideas, fresh perspectives, and a healthy dose of reality when you spend time truly connecting with others.
You win. They win. We all win. Together.
THERE'S NO LIMIT ON COMPASSION ... This is the recording of a live interview recorded on May 21, 2020. It predates George Floyd's death and the dramatic events that have followed. And yet the theme and discussion are timely and resonate deeply in this moment.
Laura Dorfman, CPDT-KA, PMCT, and Leslie McDevitt, MLA, CPDT-KA, CDBC, are both meditation leaders and I invited them to discuss the broad concept of spirituality from a non-religious perspective.
They shared thoughts about how having a sense of connection to others, to the world at large, to nature, to movement, to life allows you to bear witness, be present, and help ease the pain of others while simultaneously allowing you to experience greater peace and joy. https://colleenpelar.com/78
Who better to give advice on beginnings than a beginner?
Just a year ago, Ali Evanson started her dog training business, I Got This Sit.
Many things have changed since then, and now, like the rest of us, Ali is working to adapt and begin anew.
Beginnings ask you to imagine a new future and then commit to making it the best it can possibly be.
Often it’s scary.
Okay, usually it’s scary to begin something new.
You can’t control the outcome. There are no guarantees. But when you’re clear about what you want, you’ll find your personal balance of control and acceptance.
You’ll feel empowered to move forward and take empowered action.
What helps you feel ready to begin, ready to take action, ready to move toward your goals?
https://colleenpelar.com/77
Lauren Heath, CPPS, talked with Colleen Pelar about how she's navigating the changes coronavirus has brought to her pet-sitting business. Without discounting the very real worries she has for her business, she also said she feels more free and has learned some valuable lessons about self-care that she'll carry with her into the future. She's finding clarity about what really matters to her. https://colleenpelar.com/76
This is a rebroadcast of one of our first UNLEASHED (at work & home) episodes. Patricia McConnell, PhD, joined me to talk about the importance of emotions and, as always happens when talking with her, the conversation veered out into larger life lessons as well.
https://colleenpelar.com/7
When every day feels the same, how do you find your footing? What helps you feel grounded and centered?
Pet professionals are caretakers. They're known for showing up in service of others, for working themselves to the point of exhaustion, and for giving until it hurts.
This is your time to explore what really matters to you and what changes you'd like to make moving forward. https://colleenpelar.com/74
Ryan Cartlidge, the founder of Animal Training Academy joined me to talk about celebrating approximations, those tiny forward movements that add up to significant change.
The top question pet pros have been asking me lately is, "How can I help other people feel more resilient?"
This is not surprising. Pet pros are caretakers. They watch others carefully and do what they can to help.
So here's my best advice for how you can help others.
https://colleenpelar.com
The past few weeks have been like none other. You may be having trouble finding your sense of peace, calm, and equanimity.
If that's true of you, good news, you're normal!
Right now, your brain is hypervigilant, always scanning for the next bit of news, the next sign of danger.
That's what your brain is designed to do. It's trying to keep you safe. But your brain can't comprehend a pandemic situation in which you feel fine, but are being asked to flatten the curve for the greater good. It doesn't known how to say, "Hey, I'm just going to hang out at home and wait this out. No big deal."
Instead your nervous system is a flutter and needs some active support to calm down.
Jessica Dolce, MS, CCFE, and I have both been helping pet professionals fight burnout and compassion fatigue for years.
I invited her to talk with me about how "courage" and set a date long before either of us knew how timely this episode would be.
Listen in to learn ways you can give yourself and others support and compassion during this difficult time. https://colleenpelar.com
Your thoughts, feelings, and actions are likely completely different today than they were just a week ago. Life is changing at a rapid pace, and it can feel overwhelming.
Your brain craves certainty, and currently nothing is certain. And the information that feels most certain is ominous. This is a recipe for anxiety and rumination.
This episode shares four strategies designed to help you calm your nervous system, refocus your mind, and choose actions that will support you in this moment and in the stressful days ahead.
Prioritizing your physical and mental health has never been more important than it is right now.
Forty percent of the factors that affect your happiness are within your control. Forty percent!
In this interview with Rachel Finney, CEO of Columbus Humane, you'll learn strategies for managing your thoughts, feelings, and actions to produce better results and greater peace of mind. https://colleenpelar.com
You don't have to feel resilient to be resilient. That quote from Leanne Lilly, DVM, DACVB, is worth embroidering on a pillow so you don't forget it.
It’s true, but somehow it doesn’t sound right.
Surely resilience is about being strong, purposeful, and able to leap tall building in a single bound. 🦸🏻♀️
But what if it’s not?
What if being resilient is having the courage to keep showing up for yourself, in big ways and in small?
What if it’s creating the internal and external support structure you need to live life on your own terms?
What if being resilient is about intention? Making a commitment to examine your thoughts, feelings, and actions so you can make wise choices about what comes next?
And what if it’s okay that it’s hard sometimes?
What impact would it have if you were certain that you are good enough, worthy, and more than capable of facing whatever comes your way?
You ARE resilient. Right now. Just as you are. And you can become more resilient.
Listen to learn Dr. Lilly's suggestions for becoming more resilient and prioritizing what matters most to you. https://colleenpelar.com/67
Love, according to Barbara Frederickson, PhD, a leading researcher of emotions, is "micro-moments of warmth and connection."
She says love occurs anytime two or more people (even strangers) connect over a shared positive emotion (large or small).
These moments create changes in your brain and body that broaden your perspective, help you become more attuned to others, and allow you greater creativity and emotional regulation. Over time, little by little, these changes reshape your life for the better.
Learn how to get started creating micro-moments of warmth and connection with the people you encounter each day. https://colleenpelar.com/66
When something wonderful happens, who do you call? How do they respond?
Does that person celebrate with you and increase your joyful experience? Or do they dampen your spirits and leave you wishing you hadn’t called?
Research has shown that how people respond to each other’s good news is a better indicator of the quality of the relationship than how they respond to each other’s disappointments.
Even people who mean well can suck the air out of your sails by sharing their own experience with something similar, pointing out potential pitfalls of your awesome news, or being distracted or disengaged.
But not you. No, you won’t do that.
You can avoid that trap with a simple technique called active constructive responding. Learn about it here. https://colleenpelar.com
Each of us wants to be happy and healthy. Most people don’t see how closely the two are tied.
Yes, you can be unhappy and healthy. And you can be happy and unhealthy. But did you know that improving one of these states almost always has a beneficial effect on the other? They’re closely interconnected.
Lori Stevens is an expert in helping dogs age well, and I invited her to explore ideas of how pet professionals can age well also.
She says that health, mobility, and engagement are three areas she focuses on for her canine clients. She wants the dogs to feel, to borrow Kathy Sdao’s phrase, the “spark of joy” in their lives.
You deserve a spark of joy too.
You deserve to feel a deep sense of connection with others and the world at large.
You deserve to be excited and enthused by learning more about the topics that interest you and sharing what you’ve learned with others.
You deserve a body that feels good and works well. You deserve to sleep comfortably and deeply and to wake up refreshed. You deserve to eat food that is delicious and nourishing.
You deserve to spend time in beautiful surroundings, exercising and exploring, and also resting and relaxing.
You deserve all that and more.
Are you getting it? If not, what’s getting in your way? What choices—big and small—can you make right now that your future self will thank you for?
Creating small, sustainable habits is a powerful way of making large, lasting improvements in your quality of life.
It’s the best investment you can possibly make for aging well, happily and healthily. Lori shares lots of great ideas in this episode. I have no doubt you’ll be inspired to make a few changes that will support you.
You may also be interested in the list of short (15 minutes or less), medium (about an hour), and long (2 hours or more) activities that the members of UNLEASHED Resilience came up with in a learning lab session. Perhaps these will spark some new ideas for you. https://colleenpelar.com/68
Advocacy can be challenging, exhausting work.
This week on UNLEASHED (at work & home), Allison Leslie, LCSW, talked with me about "consultation" and its many benefits:
- Less burnout
- More engagement
- Greater creativity
- Less sense of isolation
- Increased joy and ability to see meaning in your work
- More FUN
That’s a win by any measure!
Consultation can be one-on-one (like in coaching calls) or done as part of a small group. The key is that it be a safe place to share your truth, knowing that the participants have your back and want what’s best for you.
You’ll be amazed at how having this support will allow you to ease the burden of your work and find ways to develop stronger and more effective skills so you can continue making a difference without burning yourself out.
Would you like an easy way to get more energy when you need it? How about a way to relax and unwind more quickly?
Listen in to learn an incredibly simple strategy that will help you manage your energy and your emotions better.
Burnout is normal—and fixable
- Have you had the “Sunday night feeling,” the stomach-sinking realization that your break is over and it’s time to go back to work?
- Have you become less patient and less interested in other people’s needs?
- Do other people’s choices leave you feeling irritable or cynical?
- Have you started making dumb mistakes? Letting things fall through the cracks that ordinarily you’d catch
- Have you felt isolated? Had the sense that everyone’s counting on you, but no one really cares about how you’re holding up?
- Does it feel like whatever you do is never enough?
- Do you find yourself unable to leave work at work?
- Are you replaying situations in your head long after they’re over? Do people tell you you need to “let it go?”
If you answered yes to some of these questions, it’s likely you’ve experienced a period of professional burnout.
Leslie Stewart, PhD, LPC, says this is completely normal and to be expected.
Really. It’s normal. And expected.
In fact, most helping professionals (counselors, doctors, nurses, firefighters, social workers, and, yes, pet professionals) will have a few bouts of professional burnout in their careers.
Well, that’s good news and bad news.
The good news is that there are lots of helpful strategies you can use to set yourself up for success. You may not be able to completely avoid periods of struggle, but knowing what to look for and when to intervene will put you way ahead of the curve.
Visit https://colleenpelar.com/62 for the show notes and to download the Professional Quality of Life Scale, Self-Care Assessment, and recommended wellness activities.
When you are exhausted or burned out, it may come as a surprise to learn that volunteering your time and energy can be one of the very best ways to get your mojo back. It's counter-intuitive, but true.
Studies have shown that volunteering increases your empathy, builds social bonds, and leads to greater happiness. In fact, people who volunteer feel like they have more time than people who don't (even when they have the same demands on their time).
https://colleenpelar.com
Jamie Holms, RVT, says her extraordinary organizational skills are a coping strategy that developed during a traumatic childhood. Quite simply, she learned to control as many factors as she could to help her deal with all of the chaos and stress she faced daily.
Today those organizational skills make her a valued team member and help her accomplish her goals.
Coping strategies are interesting. We all have them. We all need them. Some are healthy and productive, others are not, but all of them spring from a place of self-protection.
The tricky part about coping strategies is that they often have their roots in childhood. You may not be aware of what you do to help yourself manage stress or deal with overwhelm because you’ve been doing it for so long that the behaviors are on autopilot. You may not even notice when you’re using them.
Jamie had to make deliberate choices and learn new strategies to ensure that she brings forth the best of her coping skills and leaves behind the elements that no longer serve her.
Developing the self-awareness to observe your behavior and make deliberate choices about it is quite simply the most powerful, life-changing skill ever. It allows you to explore new ways of being, to find what feels right and true for you, and to make deliberate choices about how you want to live your life.
Easier said than done, right? Absolutely. There’s a learning curve here, but it’s worth it. So worth it.
And this awesome discussion with Jamie Holms is filled with practical tips to get you started.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- 168 Hours, You Have More Time than You Think, by Laura Vanderkam: https://amzn.to/35c8ZDJ
- I Know How She Does It, by Laura Vanderkam: https://amzn.to/2FdzLBm
- Dr. Andy Roark: https://drandyroark.com/
- Uncharted Vet conference: https://unchartedvet.com/
- RecoverInitiative.org: https://recoverinitiative.org/
Note: I may earn a small commission on any books or products recommended on this page. I only include products my guest or I have used and recommend. UNLEASHED (at work & home) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Exploration is something that most of us think is a good idea in theory, but we don’t do it.
The estimates vary, but neuroscientists and psychologists agree that large chunks of human behavior are merely habits and patterns. The low estimates are 40%. Some estimates go as high as 80-90% of behavior is just on autopilot.
That’s good because it makes us efficient, but it doesn’t necessarily make us happy.
That’s where rules come in. You can create your own rules to spark creativity and exploration, to create new opportunities, and to discover new things about yourself.
Sheila Newenham, DVM, talked with Colleen Pelar about exploration. The whole world is waiting for you. Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? What can you learn from being open to new experiences? www.colleenpelar.com/55
The Worst-Case/Best-Case/Mostly Likely Framework is a way of facing and addressing worries.
Your brain is wired to notice everything that could potentially go wrong. Often this can lead to crippling indecision, high anxiety, and catastrophic thinking. It leaves you feeling stuck.
This tool helps you
- Recognize the extreme unlikelihood of your worst-case scenario fears by providing an equally extreme counterpoint in the opposite direction.
- Become more aware of the negativity bias so that you are better able to make real-time adjustments in your thinking
- Use humor and positivity to create a broader, more creative thinking
- More accurately assess the outcomes of possible your choices so you can make decisions based on logic, not anxiety
A big thank you to Alicia Obando of Pitter Patter Parenting in Chicago for helping me demonstrate this tool.
Is there something you’ve been longing to do? What would give you the courage to dive in? Karen Sinovich, an animal behavior practitioner, shared thoughts about reinvention. You have only one life, but that doesn’t mean you need to have only one passion. www.colleenpelar.com/56
"Grace" is a complicated word. It conjures images of elegance, finesse, and fluidity. It's endowed with goodwill, kindness, and generosity.
Grace sounds effortless, but it's not! Grace is an active decision.
Developing requires great self-awareness. Grace asks you to accept the reality of the moment just as it is, while also looking for the good in it now and the good that can come from it.
Learning how to give yourself and others grace opens you up to stronger relationships and greater resilience. https://colleenpelar.com/grace-julie-smith
Understanding the elements of grit can help veterinarians, vet techs, dog trainers, shelter/rescue teams, and other pet professionals find the energy and drive to keep going AND get better results.
This solocast is the companion to episode 52 of the UNLEASHED (at work & home) podcast in which Dr. Erik Hofmeister and I discussed grit. https://colleenpelar.com/grit-erik-hofmeister
Julie Fudge Smith, CPDT-KA, talked with Colleen Pelar about how grace begins with intention and humility. How much grace do you extend to others? How much do you give yourself? Explore some strategies for incorporating more grace into your life. www.colleenpelar.com/53
Erik Hofmeister, DVM, DACVAA, DECVAA, MA, MS, talked with Colleen Pelar about grit and how consistent effort helps pet professionals get better results than natural talent. Eager to develop your own grit? You’ll discover some simple strategies in this episode. www.colleenpelar.com/52
Kristin Buller, MA, LCSW, talked with Colleen Pelar about grief and ways pet pros navigate their own emotions and those of their colleagues and clients. www.colleenpelar.com/51
On the two-year anniversary of UNLEASHED (at work & home), the tables are turned on Colleen Pelar. Tina Spring, CPDT-KA, interviews Colleen to explore what really matters to her. https://colleenpelar.com/50
Veronica Sanchez, MEd, CABC, CPDT-KA, talked with Colleen Pelar about service and what happens when pet professionals are so busy serving others that they let their tanks run dry. www.colleenpelar.com/49
River Lee, CFMG, and Colleen Pelar discuss how pet professionals can take control of their finances for greater peace of mind and security—even on a limited income. www.colleenpelar.com/48
Grisha Stewart, MA, CPDT-KA, talked with Colleen Pelar about acceptance and the somewhat surprising truth that accepting yourself as you are is the best way to grow and change. www.colleenpelar.com/47
Becca Keiser talked with Colleen Pelar about the power of positivity—and why it should never be confused with fanciful Pollyanna thinking. www.colleenpelar.com/46
Zazie Todd, PhD, talked with Colleen Pelar about curiosity and how it primes the pump for greater intellectual and personal growth. www.colleenpelar.com/45
Tabitha Kucera, RVT, CCBC, KPA-CTP, talked with Colleen Pelar about the yin and yang of self-care. It’s not all yoga and chocolate. www.colleenpelar.com/45
Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA, talked with Colleen Pelar about how actively engaging your creativity can make downtime AND work more pleasurable. www.colleenpelar.com/43
Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, talked with Colleen Pelar about how boundaries help pet professionals reclaim control of their lives. www.colleenpelar.com/42
Sharon Garland talked with Colleen Pelar about developing the skill of speaking your truth with honesty and tact. www.colleenpelar.com/41
Molly Sumridge talked with Colleen Pelar about community and the importance of having a place where you feel supported, acknowledged, and welcome. www.colleenpelar.com/40
Kathy Sdao talked with Colleen Pelar about the idea of "worth." So many people struggle with feeling unworthy or think that they have to do something to earn their place. Not true. You are worthy just as you are. www.colleenpelar.com/39
Zach Mercurio talked with Colleen Pelar about purpose and how to find it in your life! www.colleenpelar.com/38
Alexandra Kurland talked with Colleen Pelar about trust and its role in relationships. www.colleenpelar.com/37
Casey McGee talked with Colleen Pelar about control and the question of what we will do to get it or keep it. www.colleenpelar.com/36
Sandy Weaver talked with Colleen Pelar about judgment and how setting your own criteria is a key to success. www.colleenpelar.com/35
Jean Donaldson talked with Colleen Pelar about how feelings of scarcity create anxiety and harm our relationships with others. www.colleenpelar.com/34
Josh Vaisman of Flourish Veterinary Consulting talked with Colleen Pelar about how meaning is an incredible lever for driving change. www.colleenpelar.com/33
Tina Spring talked with Colleen Pelar about authenticity and how leaning into who you really are brings out the best in you--and others. www.colleenpelar.com/32
Terry Ryan talked with Colleen Pelar about how games make learning feel safer and more fun. www.colleenpelar.com/31
Looking back at 2018 and thinking ahead about 2019. How do you want to show up in your life? What goals do you hope to accomplish? Perhaps an UNLEASHED resilience group can help. www.colleenpelar.com/groups
Jeannine Moga, MSW, LCSW, talked with Colleen Pelar about how reaching out to other people makes you stronger and healthier. www.colleenpelar.com/29
Michele Gaspar, LCPC, DVM, DABVP, talked with Colleen Pelar about how cultivating self-compassion can teach us to become comfortable with our discomfort. www.colleenpelar.com/28
Mary Margaret Callahan talked with Colleen Pelar about the sweet spot of knowing what’s “just enough” to meet your needs and desires. www.colleenpelar.com/27
Susan Friedman, PhD, talked with Colleen Pelar about the importance of being a bold learner, willing to explore and make a few mistakes. www.colleenpelar.com/26
Ginny Price, MS, CVT, VTS (behavior) talked with Colleen Pelar about how developing the skill of critical thinking helps you make better decisions. www.colleenpelar.com/25
Samantha Clarke, MPA, LCSW, on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) assessment and how ACE scores affect our behavior, relationships, mental health, and physical health long after childhood. www.colleenpelar.com/24
Kellie Snider, MS, BCABA, talked with Colleen Pelar about her personal experience with compassion fatigue and the steps she took to overcome it. www.colleenpelar.com/23
Kim Imel, CPDT-KA, talked with Colleen Pelar about the incredible power of second chances, which she’s seen in action through the Pawsitive Dog Prison Training Program at Airway Heights Corrections Center. www.colleenpelar.com/22
Fiia Jokela, DVM, talked with Colleen Pelar about how our capacity for empathy can be a double-edged sword. www.colleenpelar.com/21
Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, talked with Colleen Pelar about how important it is to define and celebrate everyday wins. What is awesome for you right now? www.colleenpelar.com/20
Sally Foote, DVM, talked with Colleen Pelar about how vets and other animal-care professionals can reduce the risk of self-injury and suicide. Many dangerous habits, including cutting, alcoholism, and drug abuse, start as self-soothing behaviors gone awry. Learn healthy methods for coping with compassion fatigue and burnout. www.colleenpelar.com/19
Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, talked with Colleen Pelar about setting yourself up for success. How can introspection and preplanning improve your results? Learn more at www.colleenpelar.com/18
Jaclyn Rudebeck talked with Colleen Pelar about choice. You make hundreds of choices every day. How do you explore and own your decisions? www.colleenpelar.com/17
Laurie Schulze, DVM, talked with Colleen Pelar about listening. Showing curiosity and withholding judgment help people feel safe to share their reality with you. www.colleenpelar.com/16
Rise VanFleet, PhD, talked with Colleen Pelar about play. Play loosens us up, adds to our flexibility, and actually helps us function in our work better. www.colleenpelar.com/15
Neika Smessaert talked with Colleen Pelar about personality traits and how knowing a bit about your own personality and that of your coworkers can help make the workday go more smoothly. www.colleenpelar.com/14
April Kung, DVM, talked with Colleen Pelar about dedication—specifically how pursuing resilience skills requires the same kind of focus and dedication as academic achievement (or a dog trying to get the last bit of peanut butter out of a Kong). www.colleenpelar.com/13
Sherrie Yuschak, RVT and faculty member of the Karen Pryor Academy, talked with Colleen Pelar about having some flexibility in our responses can make us feel happier, healthier, and more in control of our lives. www.colleenpelar.com/12
Occupational therapist Melissa Winkle with her team of canine helpers applies creativity and ingenuity to help her clients meet their goals. She talked with Colleen Pelar on UNLEASHED (at work & home) about resourcefulness and shared tips for strengthening your own ability to think outside the box. www.colleenpelar.com/9
Dr. Patricia McConnell discusses emotions with Colleen Pelar on the UNLEASHED (at work & home) podcast. Learn how emotions help us and how they can trip us up. A fascinating look at the behavior of dogs and of people. www.colleenpelar.com/7
There's an important distinction to be made between consent and compliance. There are many ways to coerce people into doing things they're not entirely comfortable with, so you can't always look at what people are doing to know what they believe.
Dr. Leslie Stewart, an assistant professor of counseling at Idaho State University, shared her ideas about what truly consent means and how having a better understanding of consent can help us develop stronger relationships.