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

Jen Blough
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Mental Health

A raw and authentic podcast for those who work or volunteer in animal care, welfare, or activism, who are struggling with compassion fatigue, burnout, grief and loss, secondary traumatic stress, and other mental health concerns. Through both solo and guest episodes, I blend science, psychology, spirituality, and even a touch of "woo woo" to help you manage compassion fatigue, build resilience, and make your passion for helping animals sustainable. If you're involved in animal caregiving, rescue, trap-neuter return (TNR), sheltering, animal control, cruelty investigations, veterinary medicine, fostering, wildlife or marine rehabilitation and conservation, animal law or lobbying, ethical veganism, or any other role in animal care, welfare, or activism, and struggling with the consequences of caring so much that it hurts, this podcast is for you! The host, Jen Blough, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, compassion fatigue coach and speaker, and author with more than 35 years of experience in animal welfare and activism. She is the author of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior and the upcoming book, Beyond Compassion Fatigue. 

  1. 4d ago

    Ep. 64: How One Radio Host Became a Voice for Shelter Animals with Holly Haze

    On today's episode, I talk with animal advocate and longtime radio personality Holly Haze, whose journey into rescue began with a dog named Taco. After sharing Taco's story on social media and learning that he had been euthanized, Holly realized that awareness alone wasn't enough—she needed to do more. That moment sparked a mission that eventually led to Furry Friday, a weekly radio feature highlighting shelter animals in need of homes. Through her voice and platform, Holly has helped countless animals find families while becoming deeply involved as a volunteer, foster, and board member.  We Explore: How grief and guilt can become catalysts for action The emotional realities of volunteering in animal welfare Compassion fatigue, burnout, and the "zealot phase" Why boundaries are essential for staying in the work long-term Finding compassion satisfaction in the small wins The systemic issues driving shelter overcrowding The importance of spay/neuter and public education Why every person—regardless of their skills or emotional bandwidth—has a place in helping animals How fostering, daycations, photography, social media, and even laundry can save lives Learning to accept that we cannot save them all while still making a difference Resources Mentioned: Holly’s Instagram  Country Acres Rescue Additional Resources for Managing Compassion Fatigue:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! 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.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

  2. Aug 6

    Ep. 63: Emotional Numbness in Animal Welfare: When Compassion Fatigue Leads to Shutdown

    In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue Podcast, I explore one of the most misunderstood and least talked about experiences in animal welfare work: emotional numbness. Many animal care professionals, rescuers, advocates, veterinary staff, shelter workers, wildlife rehabilitators, trainers, and activists eventually reach a point where they stop reacting emotionally the way they once did. Cases that used to keep them awake at night no longer seem to register emotionally. Tears stop coming. Compassion can begin to feel distant or inaccessible. This episode dives into why emotional shutdown happens, how the nervous system adapts to chronic exposure to suffering and trauma, and why numbness does not mean you have stopped caring. You’ll learn: The connection between compassion fatigue and emotional detachment How chronic stress and trauma exposure impact the nervous system The difference between caring deeply and feeling intensely Fight, flight, freeze, and shutdown responses Why emotional numbing is often a survival response The guilt and shame many helpers experience when they feel disconnected from their passion Bottom-up (body-first) and top-down (mind-first) strategies for reconnecting with yourself safely and sustainably Resources mentioned:  Episode 57: Compassion Satisfaction: The Anchor in the Storm Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! 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.

  3. Jul 30

    Ep. 62: Rock-n-Recovery: How Holly Fontaine Manages Compassion Fatigue with Music

    Lost dog recovery is a race against time, fueled by hope, heartbreak, patience, and perseverance. In this episode, I’m joined by Holly Fontaine, an award-winning animal advocate from Connecticut and volunteer with Connecticut Dog Gone Recovery. Holly spends countless hours helping frightened, lost dogs find their way back home, often under difficult and emotionally demanding circumstances. Holly shares what drew her into lost dog recovery work, what the public often misunderstands about recovering lost dogs, and the emotional toll that comes with witnessing fear, loss, and suffering. We discuss compassion fatigue, anger, and the unique challenges faced by animal advocates who care deeply but cannot save every animal they encounter. We also explore the strategies Holly uses to stay grounded, including exercise, focusing on small victories, and turning up her favorite 80s music when she needs to reset her nervous system. From the healing power of movement to the uplifting energy of classic songs, Holly offers practical and relatable insights for anyone working in animal care, rescue, welfare, or advocacy. We discuss: The mission and work of Connecticut Dog Gone Recovery The emotional realities of animal advocacy Managing anger and frustration in animal welfare work How exercise helps regulate stress and emotions The surprising role of 80s music in emotional recovery Why celebrating small wins matters Finding peace through consistent action rather than perfection Resources Mentioned:  Connecticut Dog Gone Recovery More Resources: Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! 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.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

  4. Jul 23

    Ep. 61: A Sneak Peek at Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Chapter One

    On today's episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I read a snippet from my forthcoming book of the same name. This reading is from chapter one: Pain versus Suffering. Want even more? Click here to download a free Sneak Peek Bundle which features the introduction, chapter one, and chapter six! Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy publishes February 9, 2027 but is available for pre-order now!  Who is this book for?  Animal shelter staff and volunteers Animal control officers Animal rescuers Animal sanctuary staff and volunteers Foster parents Veterinary professionals Wildlife rehabbers and conservationsists Adovcates and activists Anyone else involved in animal care and welfare! More resources:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! 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.  Pre-order your copy of Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy here.

  5. Jul 16

    Ep. 60: Finding Your Rhythm: How Carol Sumbry Uses Movement to Manage Compassion Fatigue

    Working in animal welfare and behavior can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also take a significant emotional toll. In this episode, I sit down with Carol Sumbry, a Certified Behavior Consultant, Force-Free Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Trauma-Informed Approach Professional, Therapy Dog Evaluator, and Family Dog Mediator™, to discuss the realities of compassion fatigue in behavior work and the importance of finding sustainable ways to care for yourself while caring for others. Carol shares her journey into animal welfare, the emotional impact of working with aggression and trauma cases, and the lessons she's learned after decades of helping dogs and the people who love them. We also explore how movement, creativity, hobbies, and other self-care practices have become essential tools in helping her navigate the challenges of this work. We discuss:  Carol's path into animal welfare, rescue, and behavior work The hidden emotional costs of working with trauma and aggression cases Recognizing the signs of compassion fatigue How trauma affects both animals and the humans trying to help them The connection between movement, exercise, and emotional resilience The role of yoga, creativity, hobbies, and other restorative activities Finding meaning and purpose in difficult work Lessons learned from a lifetime of helping animals Resources:  Carol's website Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! 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.

  6. Jul 9

    Ep. 59: Cognitive Shuffling: A Simple Tool for Anxiety, Trauma, and Sleep

    In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I open up about a recent emotional meltdown that left me overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, painful memories, and a dysregulated nervous system. After struggling to calm down, I finally turned to a surprisingly simple grounding technique called cognitive shuffling, a science-backed tool that helped me settle down. I explore how intrusive thoughts, trauma memories, grief, chronic stress, and secondary traumatic stress often intensify at night, especially for those working in animal care, welfare, rescue, veterinary medicine, sheltering, and activism. I explain why the harder we try to suppress distressing thoughts, the stronger they often become, and how cognitive shuffling works differently by gently redirecting the brain into a more relaxed, sleep-friendly state. You’ll learn: What cognitive shuffling is and how it works Why intrusive thoughts and memory loops are so common in animal welfare work How trauma and hypervigilance affect the nervous system Why anxious brains struggle to “shut off” at night A step-by-step guide to practicing cognitive shuffling How this technique can help both with insomnia and emotional overwhelm Important reminders about using coping skills without self-judgment Ways to pair cognitive shuffling with other calming nervous system practices More resources:  Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! 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.

  7. Jul 2

    Ep. 58: Sustainable Fostering and Advocacy with Kelly Motter

    In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Motter for an honest conversation about sustainable fostering, boundaries in animal rescue, and the emotional weight that comes with caring deeply for animals in need. If you’ve ever struggled with guilt for saying “no,” felt overwhelmed by the endless need in rescue, or wondered how to continue helping animals without completely burning yourself out, this episode is for you. Kelly shares the realities of fostering, the lessons she learned about emotional limits, and the boundaries that helped her continue showing up for animals in a healthier and more sustainable way. In This Episode, We Discuss: The moment Kelly realized she could not save every animal Why boundaries are essential in fostering and rescue work Navigating guilt when saying “no” to an animal in need The emotional pressure within rescue culture to always do more How fostering can impact marriages, friendships, and family life Practical boundaries that help prevent burnout How to decide when to take in another foster Managing the emotional toll of constant exposure to suffering Small changes rescuers can make immediately to reduce overwhelm Creating a sustainable approach to advocacy and animal welfare Resources mentioned: Listen to The Foster Files on your favorite platform or watch on YouTube Kelly’s Instagram Other resources: Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! 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.

  8. Jun 25

    Ep. 57: Compassion Satisfaction: The Anchor in the Storm

    In this solo episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I talk about my rescue goat, Gracie, and how she represent compassion satisfaction—the joy, meaning, and fulfillment that comes from helping animals and making a difference. I share Gracie’s rescue story and explore how animal welfare professionals and advocates can experience both burnout and deep fulfillment at the same time. Drawing on research, personal reflection, and the wisdom of Viktor Frankl, this episode examines why compassion satisfaction matters and how it can serve as a protective factor against compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. I discuss: What compassion satisfaction actually is Why meaning and purpose protect against burnout and secondary traumatic stress The emotional impact of animal welfare work How optimism contributes to resilience The importance of social support and community Practicing self-compassion in caregiving professions Positive reframing versus toxic positivity Post-traumatic growth in animal advocacy work Leadership’s role in supporting staff well-being The dangers of martyr mentality in animal welfare Sustainable advocacy and long-term resilience More resources: Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here. Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com. Interested in becoming certified in compassion fatigue? Learn more here! 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.

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A raw and authentic podcast for those who work or volunteer in animal care, welfare, or activism, who are struggling with compassion fatigue, burnout, grief and loss, secondary traumatic stress, and other mental health concerns. Through both solo and guest episodes, I blend science, psychology, spirituality, and even a touch of "woo woo" to help you manage compassion fatigue, build resilience, and make your passion for helping animals sustainable. If you're involved in animal caregiving, rescue, trap-neuter return (TNR), sheltering, animal control, cruelty investigations, veterinary medicine, fostering, wildlife or marine rehabilitation and conservation, animal law or lobbying, ethical veganism, or any other role in animal care, welfare, or activism, and struggling with the consequences of caring so much that it hurts, this podcast is for you! The host, Jen Blough, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, compassion fatigue coach and speaker, and author with more than 35 years of experience in animal welfare and activism. She is the author of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior and the upcoming book, Beyond Compassion Fatigue. 

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