Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Make Your Passion for Helping Animals Sustainable!

Feeling sad or anxious before an animal loss? That’s anticipatory grief, and if you work in animal care, rescue, welfare, vet med, or activism, it’s normal. In this episode, I explore why anticipatory grief happens, how it shows up, and why it can feel so intense for those of us who care deeply for animals. I also share practical strategies to process grief, stay grounded, and create meaning, so you can continue doing the work you love without losing yourself in the pain. Topics covered:  Understanding anticipatory grief in animal welfare Recognizing signs of grief Learning strategies to stay present, focused, and resilient Honoring the animals in your care while protecting your own well-being Resources: Sign up for my free monthly newsletter for tips on managing compassion fatigue, burnout, trauma, and grief here!  Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.   

Animal advocates often carry trauma that doesn’t belong only to them—images, losses, and moments that not only linger, but also cause significant distress. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Vanessa Rohlf about EMDR therapy and how it can support those navigating secondary trauma, cumulative loss, and grief in animal welfare and activism. We explore: What is EMDR therapy? How EMDR helps with secondary trauma and grief in animal care and advocacy Symptoms EMDR can be especially helpful for What a typical EMDR session looks like How long EMDR takes and session frequency Resources mentioned: Website    LinkedIn Instagram Email: virohlf@gmail.com  Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.         

If the phrase “just practice more self-care” makes your eyes roll, this episode is for you. In animal care, welfare, veterinary medicine, rescue, and activism, we hear the self-care message constantly. And yes, self-care matters. In fact, for some healthcare professionals, it’s considered an ethical responsibility. But here’s the truth: Self-care and coping skills are not the same thing. And when we confuse them, we can accidentally fuel guilt, shame, and the belief that we’re somehow “bad” at taking care of ourselves. In this episode, we'll explore: The critical difference between proactive self-care and reactive coping skills What your nervous system actually needs during distress Why bubble baths won’t fix fight-or-flight How to choose the right tool at the right time Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.   

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, who will take us on a deep dive into compassion fatigue in the ER setting, where life-or-death decisions, intense client emotions, and relentless urgency collide. She shares what compassion fatigue looks like specifically in emergency veterinary medicine, how it differs from other areas of practice, and why ER clinicians are at such high risk for emotional exhaustion, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout. Together, we explore both the personal and systemic factors that shape this experience—and what actually helps. In This Episode, We Discuss: What compassion fatigue looks like in emergency veterinary medicine, and how it differs from general practice or specialty settings The cumulative emotional toll of constant urgency and life-or-death decision-making How moral stress, responsibility, and high-stakes outcomes contribute to exhaustion and trauma Why boundary-setting is uniquely difficult in ER environments where every case feels critical Practical strategies that help clinicians manage compassion fatigue What veterinary hospitals can do at an organizational level to better support ER staff How leadership, culture, and systems play a role in preventing burnout and secondary trauma The inspiration behind A Compassionate Calling and the creation of additional resources to support veterinary professionals Resources Mentioned:  Book website Book purchase link Personal website Instagram: @marieholowaychuk Facebook & LinkedIn: @drmarieholowaychuk YouTube: @marieholowaychukdvm Free resources (podcast, blog, downloads) Other Resources: Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Check out my Compassion Fatigue Skills and Support Circle here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.     

Do you struggle with nightmares related to animal suffering? If so, you're definitely not alone! In this episode, I open up about my own experience with nightmares and explore why nightmares are so common among animal welfare professionals and advocates. If your nights are disrupted by distressing dreams, this episode offers validation, education, and practical tools to help you cope. We'll explore:  The difference between bad dreams and nightmares Why nightmares are so common in animal care, welfare, rescue, advocacy, and activism When nightmares might indicate something more serious Preventing and coping with nightmares When to seek professional help Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.   

Those of us who care for animals often experience suffering, cruelty, loss, and moral injury. Over time, those experiences can shape how we see the world, ourselves, and our future. On this episode, my guest Melissa Lee Parent and I discuss the role of mindset in animal care, welfare, and activism, and why your trauma doesn't define who you are. We Explore:  What mindset really is  How mindset can either fuel burnout or support resilience Common mindset traps in animal welfare The role of self-talk and internal narratives Why “you are not your trauma story” matters And more! Resources Mentioned: Melissa's website Instagram More Resources:  Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here. 

In this episode, I put on my therapist hat and tackle the complexities of communication in the animal care, rescue, welfare, and activism fields. Recognizing that interactions with colleagues, volunteers, and the public can often become challenging, I draw upon John Gottman's Four Horsemen of Communication. It's a framework originally designed for couples counseling, to illustrate universal communication pitfalls and provide strategies for improvement.  We'll explore:  The importance of effective communication The four horsemen of communication adapted to animal work Strategies for dealing with the four horsemen Bonus communication tips Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Follow on social media:  Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Check out my Compassion Fatigue Skills and Support Circle here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.   

Animal welfare and veterinary professionals carry an extraordinary emotional burden, and yet many struggle to find mental health support that truly understands the unique demands of this work. In this episode, we explore Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how it can support advocates who are navigating compassion fatigue, burnout, grief, and moral distress. My guest, Dr. Amanda Weiss, shares why working with animal care and advocacy professionals became a calling, and how ACT offers a powerful, values-based framework for healing without asking people to harden themselves to suffering. In this episode, we discuss: What ACT is and how it’s different ACT and compassion fatigue Values-based living and self-compassion What acceptance really means (and what it doesn’t) Finding meaning in emotionally exhausting work A simple ACT exercise for hard days Amanda’s Resources: Contact Info: amandaweisspsyd@gmail.com or 732-239-9446 Instagram YouTube Additional Resources from Jen:  Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.   

In this episode, I'm joined by coach and intuitive healer Lara Bokovay. We dive into the world of somatic practices and explore how tuning into the body can help regulate the nervous system, relieve stress, and restore balance—especially for those working in high-stress, emotionally intense environments like animal care and welfare. We discuss practical techniques, the science behind trauma in the body, and how somatic work complements traditional talk therapy. We explore: What somatic practices are and how they help regulate the nervous system. What happens in the body during stress and trauma, and how somatic work approaches it differently than talk therapy. Simple, beginner-friendly somatic techniques you can use in the moment when feeling overwhelmed or triggered. How caregivers and animal advocates can reconnect with their own bodies and needs through somatic practices. The importance of body awareness in healing from chronic stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Insights on how secondary trauma manifests in the body. Tips for those who feel unsafe in their body or struggle to notice physical sensations—where to start safely. Daily somatic rituals and grounding practices to build nervous system resilience over time. Resources Mentioned:  Lara's website Lara's socials: Facebook Instagram and TikTok: @larabokovay Jen's Resources:  Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.   

In this episode, I dive into a difficult, but very real, issue in animal care, welfare, and activism: infighting. From social media drama to competition between organizations, internal conflict can be just as exhausting as the work itself. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Aren’t we all trying to help animals?” or feeling burned out by conflict within advocacy spaces, this episode is for you. I explore infighting through psychological, sociological, and philosophical lenses, helping listeners understand why these conflicts happen—and more importantly, how we can begin moving toward collaboration instead of competition. Episode 30: Identity and Self-Esteem Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Check out my Compassion Fatigue Skills and Support Circle here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here. 

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is lifesaving work, but it can also be uniquely exhausting. In this episode, we explore why TNR can take such a heavy emotional and physical toll, how compassion fatigue shows up for volunteers and caregivers, and what it truly takes to stay in this work without losing yourself. This episode is for anyone involved in TNR who has ever felt overwhelmed, depleted, or questioned how long they can keep going.  In this episode, we discuss: What compassion fatigue in TNR looks like compared to other areas of animal welfare The realities behind the work Early warning signs of compassion fatigue The pressure to always say “yes” Coping skills that actually help The rewarding side of TNR and compassion satisfaction Want to help out the kitties? Check out Stacy's Amazon Wishlist here. Connect with Stacy on Facebook.  

In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of spirituality, healing, and animal advocacy with mystic artist, author, and healer Susan Smith Cohen. Susan supports women recovering from trauma through creative and spiritual practices, including her unique modality of fire scrying. Together, we discuss how reconnecting with something larger than ourselves can help animal advocates navigate compassion fatigue, grief, and trauma. We explore:  What spirituality really means How a spiritual lens can transform compassion fatigue and grief An introduction to fire (or water) scrying Simple daily spiritual practices for animal advocates Links mentioned in the show:  Susan's website Susan's socials:  Facebook Instagram  Susan's book:  Healing Through Nature and Animals: A Journey of Illumination Susan’s artwork  More Resources: Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Check out my Group Coaching Program for Compassion Fatigue here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.         

In this solo episode, I explore ambiguous loss, which is a form of grief that lacks clarity, closure, or resolution. Common in animal care, welfare, and advocacy, ambiguous loss can leave us stuck between hope and sorrow, carrying unanswered questions long after an animal has left our lives. I break down what ambiguous loss is, how it shows up in animal work, why it’s so painful, and practical ways to cope while protecting your mental health. Related Episode: Ep. 8: Disenfranchised Grief Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.  Have a show idea? Reach out to me at jen@jenblough.com

Fostering animals can be one of the most rewarding experiences in animal welfare—but it can also take an emotional toll. In this episode, we explore compassion fatigue in fostering, why it happens, and practical strategies to protect your mental health while still giving love and care to your foster animals. We talk about:  Recognizing the signs of compassion fatigue and burnout Understanding the emotional and physiological impact of repeated loss or stress Learning practical strategies to set boundaries and care for yourself Building resilience and sustainable fostering practices Resources mentioned:  Humane World for Animals Other resources for managing compassion fatigue:  https://www.animalwelfarewellness.com/

On today’s episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, we lighten things up a bit, while still keeping it real. We’re talking about humor as a coping skill in animal welfare, and why laughter is often a lifeline for those doing emotionally heavy work. Shoutout to Lisa for suggesting this topic! We'll explore:  Why humor helps Shared humor = connection Dark humor in trauma-exposed fields When humor goes too far Using humor intentionally Have a topic you want to suggest? Reach out to me at jen@jenblough.com. Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.  Visit my free virtual calming room here.  Check out my Group Coaching Program for Compassion Fatigue here.  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here. 

In this episode, we’re joined by breathwork expert Clare Prichard, who helps us explore the healing power of breathwork—a simple yet profound tool for calming the body and mind. Whether you’re recovering from a stressful day at work, grieving the loss of an animal, or feeling compassion fatigue creeping in, learning how to breathe with intention can be a lifeline. Clare explains the science of how breathwork affects the nervous system, and offers practical techniques you can use anywhere, anytime. Topics covered: What intentional breathwork is The neuroscience of breath and the stress response How breathwork helps regulate trauma and compassion fatigue In-the-moment techniques to calm a dysregulated nervous system Different styles of breathwork and how to choose one Gentle approaches for those who feel anxious when focusing on the breath A guided breathing exercise to restore calm and clarity Resources mentioned: Clare’s website Clare’s Instagram

Today we’re diving into a topic that nearly every animal advocate, rescue worker, or activist faces at some point: identity and self-worth. When your life revolves around the animals you care for, it’s easy to lose sight of yourself outside of your work. Burnout, stress, grief, or compassion fatigue can leave you asking, “Who am I if I’m not doing this work right now?” In this episode, I explore why this happens, how it affects self-worth, and practical strategies to reclaim a sense of identity—without losing your love and commitment for the animals and causes you care about. We’ll discuss: The “identity trap” and why it can make setbacks feel personal How self-worth tied solely to advocacy can contribute to compassion fatigue, burnout, anxiety, and depression Practical steps to expand your sense of self I also share a five-minute daily affirmation video specifically designed for animal advocates, available in my Virtual Calming Room at animalwelfarewellness.com. Whether you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or simply want to strengthen your resilience, this episode will help you reconnect with all the layers of who you are—so you can show up in your work from a place of wholeness. Resources:  Check out my Virtual Calming Room for a Daily Affirmation Video and more! Learn more about my Compassion Fatigue Group Coaching Program here. Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior!  

Join my free monthly newsletter! In this episode, we dive into the transformative practice of soul contract mapping and how it can support those experiencing compassion fatigue, burnout, grief, or secondary trauma in the challenging world of animal welfare and advocacy. My guest, Tammie Vecchiarelli, shares her personal journey into soul contract mapping, how it can illuminate a sense of calling, and practical ways it can help animal advocates set boundaries, practice self-compassion, and build resilience. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What soul contract mapping is and how it can help those navigating the emotional toll of animal welfare work. How understanding soul contracts can explain the deep sense of purpose many animal advocates feel. Ways soul contract work can support healthy boundaries, self-compassion, and resilience-building. How it can help break repetitive painful patterns in relationships, careers, and emotional responses. What to expect in a soul contract reading. Resources Mentioned:  Tammie's website Email: tammie@aurorarelationshiphealing.com Tammie's socials:  Facebook Instagram Grab your free resources for managing compassion fatigue here!

In this solo episode, I get real about one of the most common struggles in animal welfare work: guilt. Whether it’s skipping a shelter shift, saying no to fostering one more animal, or simply taking a much-needed day off, many of us feel like we’re somehow “not doing enough.” I share my own story about missing a volunteer day and how quickly guilt crept in, even though I was already balancing work, home, and countless other responsibilities. I explore the toxic cycle of guilt and burnout, how to recognize it, and, most importantly, how to break free from it. With this episode, you’ll learn practical ways to release guilt and honor your limits, so you can continue showing up for animals without losing yourself in the process. Topics Covered The guilt trap: “I should be doing more.” Why animal welfare workers and advocates are especially vulnerable to overcommitment How guilt can spiral into burnout and resentment The importance of reframing “I can’t do it all” as self-awareness, not selfishness Simple mindset and grounding techniques to let go of guilt How to set realistic boundaries and redefine what “enough” really means Additional Resources Visit beyondcompassionfatigue.com for free resources, worksheets, and tools to help you manage compassion fatigue.  

Join my free monthly newsletter! Difficult conversations are unavoidable in animal welfare and advocacy—whether it’s with the public, clients, coworkers, or even within our own teams. But when emotions are high, how can we communicate in ways that are both clear and compassionate? In this episode, I'm joined by Jacquie Grillon, who will help us explore healthy communication in the animal welfare field. From handling hostility without losing our cool, to setting boundaries with kindness, to navigating internal conflicts, we unpack practical tools that help us speak (and listen) in ways that strengthen relationships rather than fracture them. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What clear, compassionate communication looks like in real life, especially when emotions run high The most common communication traps in animal welfare—and how to avoid them How to respond when someone attacks you verbally, while still maintaining clarity and compassion The role of boundaries in tough conversations (and why being compassionate doesn’t mean being a doormat) Ways to address infighting between shelter staff, rescue groups, volunteers, and leadership without deepening the divide How to recognize when a hard conversation needs to happen and how to prepare for it Why self-reflection and regulation matter—especially if you’re carrying trauma or compassion fatigue Practical advice for finding balance between being too passive and too confrontational Resources Mentioned:  Jacquie's website Jacquie's socials:  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Grab more resources for managing compassion fatigue here!