Animal Training Academy

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 sa