Building
Compassionate Badassery
Boundaries
Learn to create healthy boundaries so that you can
keep caring for animals without burning out!
Do any of these sound familiar?
- You never want to hurt anyone's feelings or ignore an animal in need, so you say "yes" knowing you'll regret it later when you're totally exhausted.
- You're glued to your phone, scrolling social media, and checking emails at home...it's like you never leave work.
- When you do set limits you feel super guilty or worry other people will think you're selfish, lazy, or don't care about the animals.
What if you could...
Feel more confident and compassionate saying NO to working longer hours, last minute requests from clients, and non-stop requests to help animals in need? What if you could take care of yourself and still be productive?
With the help of this course you’ll learn how to create compassionate boundaries. You’ll finally be able take care of yourself (without all the guilt), so that you can feel in control of your life again.
Through 8 weeks of lessons and a supportive community of like-minded animal care and welfare folks, you’ll discover that you don’t have to choose between having compassion for animals and caring for yourself. Our 8 week online adventure in boundaries begins February 17th!
Here's what you'll get
(8) Online Modules with Videos, Integration Activities, & Worksheets: You’ll learn and practice the ins + outs of healthy boundaries!
(6) Hour Long Live Video Calls with Jessica: Meet in real time to practice setting limits, learn coping skills, and ask questions.
Private Discussion Boards: Chat about the challenges, share your successes, and connect with new friends who understand your struggles!
By The End of Class You'll
- Know what YOUR internal and external boundaries are and how to use them as a compassionate person who cares deeply about helping animals.
- Understand why upholding your boundaries is CRITICAL if you want to keep making an ethical, sustainable impact for animals in need.
- Be clear on your values and your big picture WHY, so that you can stick to your boundaries during tough conversations or when you're negotiating with yourself.
- Have a set of SCRIPTS to use, so you can set limits more easily with your training clients, customers at the shelter and vet clinic, people emailing asking for your help, and even how to talk back to yourself when you're ignoring your own limits. Past participants say these scripts are "priceless!"
- Use new COPING skills to help you stay calm when people push back on your boundaries and when you feel afraid or guilty about not being able to help.
- Treat yourself to a big self-care YES that will refill your cup, so you can keep helping others AND be well at the same time!
"Jessica's boundaries course helped me gain insight into myself and recognize the importance of prioritizing my needs. The course material was engaging and personable. Each weekly activity, discussion, and live call allowed me to uncover another layer of myself that helped me learn to free myself of guilt associated with many of the burdens I put (and sometimes others) on myself working with animals. I feel much more comfortable and equipped now with boundary setting and recognizing my threshold for stress. I am grateful for the experience and wish there was more!"
Stephanie
Feline Behavior Specialist
HiYA! I'm Jessica.
I’ve been working with animals and the people who care for them for the past 15 years. From animal shelters to my dog walking business, compassion fatigue classes to individual coaching, I’ve helped myself and hundreds of other people learn how to flex their compassionate badassery boundaries.
Learning how to have healthy boundaries while caring for animals and people who are suffering was HARD to do. I didn’t have anyone to show me the ropes, survive the discomfort, or tell me how to give a kind “NO.” I learned the hard way, but you don’t have to thanks to this course. I’m going to share everything I know about healthy boundaries!
"It is so easy to get lost in any helping profession, when it is time to help yourself. Jessica's classes have always carefully guided me to my own realizations and healing. I am a better leader, better friend and person (to myself) for taking her classes (this is my second one). If you love what you do and want to stay healthy in your profession, I highly recommend taking a class with Jessica!"
Erika
Director, Animal Control and Shelter
This is for you if...
- You know you need better boundaries, but you're not sure where to start or what your boundaries even look like.
- You want to stop feeling guilty for taking care of yourself when there's so much work to do and so many animals to help.
- You want to be able to say "NO" when you want and need to, so that you can save some time and energy for your own needs.
This is not for you if...
- You're not ready to get honest with yourself and do the work necessary to make real, lasting change.
- You are suffering from clinical depression, anxiety, or are having suicidal thoughts. This class is NOT a substitution for professional mental health care. Please seek professional help.
- You like being exhausted. Not having boundaries is working really well for you.
"I found this class valuable and recommend it for anyone in the animal sheltering/animal advocacy field. Healthy boundaries are important to establish so we can continue the work we love to do. This class includes relevant reading selections, interesting videos, and material that is simply fun. The class exercises and discussion board interaction is priceless in not only developing independent boundaries, but gaining an understanding of the community we are all a part of."
Linda
Director, Municipal Animal Shelter
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take this class? And why?
Anyone working or volunteering with animals is welcome. Veterinarians and vet techs, dog trainers, animal shelter and rescue workers, animal protection officers, foster families – if you work or volunteer with animals and want to learn more about boundaries, how to say “no” and stick with it, even when it’s uncomfortable then this class is for you.
What do I need to take this class? A computer and the internet.
How will the class be delivered?
The class is offered in an online classroom called Ruzuku. All you need to do is sign up for the class and create an account on Ruzuku (it’s free).
If you would like to participate in the live video calls, you will need to download ZOOM (also free and I’ll walk you through it – it’s easy!).
Do I have to be in class at certain times? The class starts on February 17th and runs until April 12th. You can participate anytime (24/7) during those 8 weeks. Plus, you’ll have access to the course materials for an additional 2 months after the class ends if you need to catch up.
The live calls will be held on Wednesday evenings at 8pm EST.
Are the live calls recorded?
Yes! If you can’t make the live calls, you can watch the recording.
Do you offer refunds or a guarantee?
No, I do not offer refunds. I offer a fun and challenging learning experience, but I do not guarantee specific results, as participants will come to this course in all different phases of life, types of businesses, and varying levels of self-awareness. You are responsible for integrating and implementing the course materials in whatever way works best for you at this time.
