The Whole Pack

Where animal care professionals come together for the animals.
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Weekly

The Whole Pack brings together professionals across the animal care world to explore the many ways we support animals and the humans who love them. Hosted by Melissa Sherman and Sunny Gandara, the podcast features honest conversations with practitioners, educators, and experts from different modalities, all working toward the same goal of animals thriving. thewholepack.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    Compassionate Paws Día de los Muertos Live

    Compassionate Paws: Pet Loss Remembrance 2026 Remembering the Animals We Love On November 1st, we gathered for our second annual Compassionate Paws Pet Loss Remembrance event, a time to come together, share memories, and honor the animals who have touched our lives. In this special episode of The Whole Pack, Melissa and Sunny share a conversation about love, loss, and the many ways we continue to carry our animals with us after they’ve passed. Together, we take some time to slow down, remember our companions, and reflect on the relationships that have shaped our lives. We also invite you to participate in a guided reflection, whether you’re listening for the first time or joining us again after the live event. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and there’s no right or wrong way to remember someone you love. Whether your loss is recent or happened many years ago, we hope this gathering offers a little comfort and a place to remember. This episode was recorded live on Substack on November 1st as part of our second annual Compassionate Paws Pet Loss Remembrance gathering. Join Our Community If you’re navigating the loss of an animal companion, or simply want a place where you can talk openly about grief and remembrance, we’d love to welcome you to our Compassionate Paws Facebook community. Join the Conversation We’d love to hear about the animals you’re remembering. Feel free to share their names, a favorite memory, or something you’d like to thank them for in the comments. The Whole Pack is a subscriber-supported podcast. Subscribe for free to support the show and join us for future conversations and gatherings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com

  2. Oct 27

    Spiritual Bypassing in the Wellness World

    Episode 33 Everything happens for a reason. Stay positive. Your animal came into your life to teach you a lesson. We’ve probably all heard these phrases, and maybe even said them ourselves. They’re often offered with good intentions, but what happens when those words dismiss someone’s grief, create guilt, or keep us from facing something difficult? In this episode of The Whole Pack, Melissa and Sunny explore spiritual bypassing and how it shows up in the holistic wellness and animal care communities. They discuss toxic positivity, the pressure to maintain a high vibration, and the harm that can come from suggesting someone caused their animal’s illness through their thoughts or emotions. They also explore what happens when spiritual beliefs are used to avoid difficult conversations, delay veterinary care, or rush someone through grief before they’ve had a chance to experience it. Drawing from their own experiences as practitioners and animal guardians, Melissa and Sunny talk about the importance of doing our own inner work, knowing when to offer advice, and learning to simply be present with someone who is hurting. Spirituality and holistic practices can be meaningful sources of support. The question is whether we’re using them to help someone face what’s happening or to avoid the uncomfortable parts. Timestamps 00:00 What is spiritual bypassing? 03:00 Toxic positivity, high vibrations, and harmful spiritual messages 7:00 When spiritual beliefs interfere with animal care09:00 Grief, discomfort, and the importance of holding space 14:00 How to recognize and avoid spiritual bypassing 17:00 Red flags to watch for in holistic practitioners Compassionate Paws If you’re navigating the loss of an animal companion or facing difficult end-of-life decisions, you’re welcome to join Compassionate Paws, our free Facebook community for pet loss support, remembrance, and connection. Join Compassionate Paws on Facebook Join the Conversation Have you ever had someone offer a spiritual explanation or positive message when what you really needed was for them to listen? How did that experience affect you? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. The Whole Pack is a subscriber supported podcast. If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe for free to support the show and never miss an episode. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified professional regarding your animal’s health. If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to The Whole Pack on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow The Whole Pack: Instagram: @thewholepack_ Facebook: @thewholepack YouTube: @thewholepack Connect with the hosts: Melissa Sherman – Calming Creek Website: calmingcreek.com Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing Sunny Gandara – Nacho Average Dog Health Coach Website: nachoaveragedoghealthcoach.com Instagram: @nachoaveragedoghealthcoach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com

    Spiritual Bypassing in the Wellness World

  3. Oct 20

    The Hidden Grief of Caring for Animals

    Episode 32 What happens when the work you love is also the work that’s hurting you? Animal care professionals experience loss in ways that often go unseen. From shelter workers and veterinary teams to rescuers, foster families, and advocates, there’s an emotional side to caring for animals that doesn’t always get acknowledged. In this episode of The Whole Pack, Melissa and Sunny welcome licensed professional counselor, author, and former animal welfare worker Jen Blough for a conversation about compassion fatigue, grief, and trauma in animal care. Jen shares her own experiences working in shelters and animal control, including the grief that builds when there’s no time to process one loss before facing another. They explore disenfranchised grief, moral injury, secondary traumatic stress, and why being deeply affected by this work doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for it. They also discuss the difference between pain and suffering, why self-care alone isn’t enough, and how we can make room for joy while continuing to care deeply about animals. Because loving this work and finding it difficult can both be true. Timestamps 00:00 Meet Jen Blough and her journey from animal welfare to therapy 07:06 Ambiguous loss and the grief we don’t always recognize 18:09 When grief and loss keep piling up 23:06 Moral injury, trauma, and impossible decisions 29:25 The difference between pain and suffering 36:05 How we can better support people working with animals Connect with Jen Blough Jen is the author of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior and the forthcoming Beyond Compassion Fatigue: Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery in Animal Care and Advocacy, available for preorder ahead of its February 9, 2027 release. * Website, book, and free resources: Beyond Compassion Fatigue * Certification program: Compassion Fatigue Professional in Animal Welfare (CFPAW) * Instagram: @beyondcompassionfatigue * Podcast: Beyond Compassion Fatigue, available on major podcast platforms. Jen recommends Episode 6 for a deeper conversation about disenfranchised grief. Join the Conversation If you work with animals, have you ever felt that you weren’t allowed to grieve, take a break, or acknowledge how much the work was affecting you? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments. The Whole Pack is a subscriber-supported podcast. If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe for free to support the show and never miss an episode. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified professional regarding your animal’s health. If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to The Whole Pack on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow The Whole Pack: Instagram: @thewholepack_ Facebook: @thewholepack YouTube: @thewholepack Connect with the hosts: Melissa Sherman – Calming Creek Website: calmingcreek.com Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing Sunny Gandara – Nacho Average Dog Health Coach Website: nachoaveragedoghealthcoach.com Instagram: @nachoaveragedoghealthcoach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com

    The Hidden Grief of Caring for Animals

  4. Oct 13

    The Impossible Decision

    The Impossible Decision What Nobody Tells You About Choosing When to Let Your Animal Go How do you know when it's time to say goodbye to an animal you love? And how do you live with a decision that can never feel completely certain? In this episode of The Whole Pack, Melissa and Sunny have an emotional and deeply personal conversation about one of the hardest responsibilities we face as animal guardians: making end-of-life decisions for someone we love. They explore the uncertainty surrounding euthanasia and natural death, the fear of choosing too soon or waiting too long, and why the familiar advice that you'll just know when it's time doesn't always help. Drawing from their own experiences with loss and their work supporting animals and their families, they discuss quality-of-life assessments, anticipatory grief, and the importance of preparing for the practical aspects of saying goodbye while recognizing that things don't always go according to plan. They also talk about the guilt that can follow a loss, the importance of allowing families to make their own decisions without judgment, and how practitioners can continue supporting clients after an animal has passed. There may never be a perfect time or a perfect decision. But no one should have to navigate these conversations alone. Timestamps 00:00 Acknowledging the grief around us02:00 How will I know when it's time?04:00 Why you'll just know isn't always helpful06:00 The fear of choosing too soon or too late07:00 Melissa's experience with Jolie and the weight of outside pressure09:00 Preparing for end-of-life decisions and aftercare11:00 When plans change and the importance of rituals14:00 Natural death, euthanasia, and personal choice16:00 Using quality-of-life assessments to find clarity17:00 Supporting families without making decisions for them18:00 When anticipatory grief takes over20:00 Guilt, disenfranchised grief, and finding community21:00 Why support matters after an animal has passed Compassionate Paws Grief can feel especially isolating when the people around us don't understand the depth of our relationships with animals. Compassionate Paws is our free Facebook community for anyone navigating pet loss, anticipatory grief, or the emotions that come with saying goodbye. It's a place to share, remember, and connect with others who understand. Join Compassionate Paws on Facebook Join the Conversation Have you faced the uncertainty of making an end-of-life decision for an animal you love? What helped you navigate that experience? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments. The Whole Pack is a subscriber-supported podcast. If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe for free to support the show and never miss an episode. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified professional regarding your animal’s health. If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to The Whole Pack on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow The Whole Pack: Instagram: @thewholepack_ Facebook: @thewholepack YouTube: @thewholepack Connect with the hosts: Melissa Sherman – Calming Creek Website: calmingcreek.com Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing Sunny Gandara – Nacho Average Dog Health Coach Website: nachoaveragedoghealthcoach.com Instagram: @nachoaveragedoghealthcoach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com

    The Impossible Decision

  5. Oct 6

    Live with The Whole Pack Episode 30 - How Our Loneliness Affects Our Pets

    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com

    Live with The Whole Pack Episode 30 - How Our Loneliness Affects Our Pets

  6. Sep 29

    The Weight of Hope

    Episode 29 Hope can carry us through a frightening diagnosis, chronic illness, and long stretches of uncertainty with our animals. It can keep us looking for answers and believing things can get better. But what happens when hope starts to feel heavy? In this episode of The Whole Pack, Melissa and Sunny talk about the point where trying to help can become a constant search for one more treatment, supplement, test, or answer. When we’re focused on changing a diagnosis, improving a lab value, or finding the thing we’ve somehow missed, it can become harder to see the animal who is actually in front of us. They explore the difference between staying hopeful and becoming consumed by the search for a different outcome, why practitioners need to be careful not to feed a caretaker’s anxiety, and how stepping back can help us look at quality of life more clearly. Sometimes the most important question isn’t What else can I do? It’s whether what we’re doing is helping our animal live their life. Hope doesn’t have to disappear. But sometimes it needs to change shape. Timestamps 00:00 When hope starts to feel heavy 03:00 What happens when we’re searching for one more answer 08:00 Seeing clearly when you’re too close 09:00 Looking at patterns and quality of life 13:00 A diagnosis isn’t the whole animal 17:00 When hope becomes a frantic search 19:00 Letting hope change direction 21:00 The practitioner’s role in difficult conversations 23:00 There’s always something we can do 24:00 Supporting the caretaker, too Join the Conversation Have you ever found yourself so focused on finding an answer for your animal that it became difficult to step back and see how they were actually doing? Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified professional regarding your animal’s health. If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to The Whole Pack on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow The Whole Pack: Instagram: @thewholepack_ Facebook: @thewholepack YouTube: @thewholepack Connect with the hosts: Melissa Sherman – Calming Creek Website: calmingcreek.com Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing Sunny Gandara – Nacho Average Dog Health Coach Website: nachoaveragedoghealthcoach.com Instagram: @nachoaveragedoghealthcoach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com

    The Weight of Hope

  7. Sep 22

    The Search for the Perfect Answer in Your Pet’s Health

    Episode 28 When something is wrong with our animal companion, it’s natural to want an answer. Maybe there’s a food we haven’t tried, a supplement we’re missing, another practitioner who will see what everyone else has missed, or one underlying cause that will finally make everything click. But what happens when there isn’t one perfect answer? In this episode of The Whole Pack, Melissa and Sunny talk about the pressure pet guardians and holistic practitioners can put on themselves to keep searching, fixing, and trying something new, especially when dealing with chronic illness or complicated health issues. They explore the difference between looking for useful information and looking for certainty, why “finding the root cause” doesn’t always mean finding one single thing, and how the desire to help can sometimes turn into the need to fix. They also discuss what it means to move from “How do I fix this?” to “How can I support this?” Sometimes good care isn’t about finding the perfect protocol. It’s about listening, simplifying, paying attention to what’s actually helping, supporting quality of life, and making the next best decision with the information you have. Because more information doesn’t always create more clarity, and accepting uncertainty doesn’t mean giving up. Timestamps 00:00 The search for the perfect answer 04:00 Does every health problem have one root cause? 06:00 Are you looking for information or certainty?08:00 The pressure practitioners feel to have the answer 12:00 Moving from fixing to supporting 16:30 Why a sustainable plan can be better than a perfect one 18:00 Acceptance, quality of life, and knowing our limitations 21:00 When do you keep searching, and when do you let something be? Join the Conversation How do you know when to keep searching for answers and when to let something be? The Whole Pack is a subscriber-supported podcast. If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe for free to support the show and never miss an episode. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified professional regarding your animal’s health. If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to The Whole Pack on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow The Whole Pack: Instagram: @thewholepack_ Facebook: @thewholepack YouTube: @thewholepack Connect with the hosts: Melissa Sherman – Calming Creek Website: calmingcreek.com Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing Sunny Gandara – Nacho Average Dog Health Coach Website: nachoaveragedoghealthcoach.com Instagram: @nachoaveragedoghealthcoach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com

    The Search for the Perfect Answer in Your Pet’s Health

  8. Sep 15

    When Loving Your Animal Turns Into Anxiety

    Episode 27 When you love an animal deeply, you notice things. A change in appetite. A different walk. An unusual behavior. That attentiveness can be an important part of caring for them. But after illness, trauma, or loss, attentiveness can sometimes become hypervigilance. Instead of noticing what is happening, we begin searching for what might go wrong. In this episode of The Whole Pack, Melissa and Sunny have a vulnerable conversation about pet-parent anxiety, grief, and the fear of missing something. Sunny shares how losing three dogs under traumatic circumstances affected the way she watches her animals today, while Melissa talks about navigating her own fears after losing Loki and while caring for her senior dog, Cooper. They explore the difference between attunement and hypervigilance, reassurance-seeking and “cyberchondria,” intuition vs. anxiety, anticipatory anxiety with aging and chronically ill animals, and why looking for subtle signs can sometimes become a trap. Most importantly, they talk about finding the space between paying attention and actually enjoying the animal who is still here. Because sometimes the bravest form of care is allowing a good day to simply be a good day. For additional notes join us on The Whole Pack on Substack. Timestamps 00:00 When attentiveness becomes hypervigilance 01:30 Sunny shares the losses that changed how she watches her dogs 05:30 Attunement vs. hypervigilance 10:00 Reassurance-seeking, Googling and “cyberchondria” 16:00 Intuition vs. anxiety 20:30 Anticipatory anxiety and losing the present moment 23:00 Why more information isn’t always more care 26:00 Letting a good day be a good day The Whole Pack is a subscriber-supported podcast. If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe for free to support the show and never miss an episode. Disclaimer:This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified professional regarding your animal’s health. If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to The Whole Pack on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow The Whole Pack: Instagram: @thewholepack_ Facebook: @thewholepack YouTube: @thewholepack Connect with the hosts: Melissa Sherman – Calming Creek Website: calmingcreek.com Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing Sunny Gandara – Nacho Average Dog Health Coach Website: nachoaveragedoghealthcoach.com Instagram: @nachoaveragedoghealthcoach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com

    When Loving Your Animal Turns Into Anxiety
See All (35)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Whole Pack brings together professionals across the animal care world to explore the many ways we support animals and the humans who love them. Hosted by Melissa Sherman and Sunny Gandara, the podcast features honest conversations with practitioners, educators, and experts from different modalities, all working toward the same goal of animals thriving. thewholepack.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Where animal care professionals come together for the animals.
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Whole Pack
  • Show Website
    The Whole Pack

You Might Also Like