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Honest conversations with pet professionals about real life and how to show up for yourself with grace and compassion.
If you worry that you aren't doing enough for the animals and clients you serve—yet what you're already doing feels exhausting and unsustainable—you're not alone. In each episode, I talk with fellow pet professionals about what drew them to this work, what keeps them going, and what drains them. We explore the meaningful words, quotes, or mantras that guide them, and discover what they wish they could magically change for all of us in this field.
These aren't quick-fix solutions or surface-level pep talks. Whether you're a dog trainer, veterinary professional, pet sitter, or shelter worker, these conversations offer practical insights into navigating this demanding but deeply meaningful work—and remembering that taking care of yourself isn't just allowed, it's essential.
Honest conversations with pet professionals about real life and how to show up for yourself with grace and compassion.
If you worry that you aren't doing enough for the animals and clients you serve—yet what you're already doing feels exhausting and unsustainable—you're not alone. In each episode, I talk with fellow pet professionals about what drew them to this work, what keeps them going, and what drains them. We explore the meaningful words, quotes, or mantras that guide them, and discover what they wish they could magically change for all of us in this field.
These aren't quick-fix solutions or surface-level pep talks. Whether you're a dog trainer, veterinary professional, pet sitter, or shelter worker, these conversations offer practical insights into navigating this demanding but deeply meaningful work—and remembering that taking care of yourself isn't just allowed, it's essential.
Episodes

Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
131. Elysia Ostrander, CPDT, FPPE
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
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
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