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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.
Episodes
![[Rebroadcast] Emotions - Patricia McConnell, PhD](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/2105242/UNLEASHED_20227gtp5_300x300.png){kind=logo}
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
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
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
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
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
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.
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
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
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
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
Thursday Mar 19, 2020
Thursday Mar 19, 2020
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.
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
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
Wednesday Feb 19, 2020
Wednesday Feb 19, 2020
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
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
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
Thursday Feb 06, 2020
Thursday Feb 06, 2020
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