Practicing Compassionate Badassery with Jessica Dolce [Episode 220]

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy podcast, Ryan Cartlidge has a conversation with the insightful Jessica Dolce, a certified compassion fatigue educator. Jessica, with her extensive background in animal welfare and education, delves into the often-overlooked realm of compassion fatigue, an issue prevalent among animal caregivers and welfare professionals. Her journey, beginning with a personal dog walking business and evolving into co-founding a non-profit, illustrates the deep emotional investment inherent in animal welfare. Jessica's firsthand experience with burnout and compassion fatigue while working in shelters led her to become a certified educator in this field, offering a lifeline to those struggling with the emotional toll of intensive caregiving. Throughout the episode, Jessica illuminates the concept of compassion fatigue, describing it as a complex mix of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. She stresses the significance of replenishing empathy to maintain joy and satisfaction in life and work. Jessica and Ryan explore strategies for managing these challenges, including the importance of hobbies and activities unrelated to work, differentiating active from passive rest, and embracing practices like gratitude exercises. This episode promises not only to educate but also to inspire and empower animal welfare professionals in their journey towards a balanced, joyful, and sustainable career in animal care. Find Jessica online at: https://jessicadolce.com and https://www.compassioninbalance.com