Coaching

Are you tired of trying to figure things out all by yourself? Or maybe you're filled with unspoken stories about the complicated work you do? If so, you’re in the right place. That's why these sessions exist.

In our 1-on-1 sessions, we'll work together to reduce stress, overwhelm, or stuckness, build boundaries, acknowledge grief, and make powerful changes so you can live a more joyful, focused, and authentic life.

I specialize in supporting experienced animal care, welfare, and protection professionals. My clients know how to solve problems. They spend their days helping everyone around them, and they're really good at it! But, like most of us, they could use some help thinking through their own challenges and clearly seeing their next best steps. And sometimes, they just need someone who understands to listen to their stories, so they can let them go.

If you’re ready for change or want more support, but you’re not sure where to start, I’m here to help you find your way forward.

Jess Dolce is the best of the best! I strategically scheduled our sessions close to big exams, and they were game-changers for me. After years of “doing the work”, I thought that Jess’s coaching would be a stabilizing factor for me, but I learned more from her than I could have planned or anticipated. Jess helped me overcome a major phobia and achieve a long-time goal. I’m forever grateful for her brilliance!
– Lizzy, Dog Trainer

My approach is a unique blend of coaching, consulting, and holding space for the stuff that can't be fixed, but needs to be witnessed.

You are not a problem that needs to be solved. This isn't about self-improvement. You're amazing just as you are (I mean, I bet you're kind of weird and awkward too, but that's exactly what makes me excited to spend time with you!).

I offer these sessions because everyone needs and deserves support navigating our increasingly complex, overwhelming, and heartbreaking world. Plus, we all need someone who will answer every uncomfortable question we've been afraid to ask!

I draw on my deep understanding of the challenges you face in your work caring for animals and people, and bring over two decades of experience as an animal welfare and care professional, as well as my expertise as a certified compassion fatigue and grief educator and coach, to each session.

I’m practical, fun (there will be laughter!), and deeply respectful of your experience.

Through coaching with Jessica a big insight for me was to draw on my strengths, instead of focusing on fixing my weaknesses. That is a huge shift, and relief, from the whole self-help thing. Jessica is a fun, smart, insightful, and skilled coach. She offered valuable insights, helped me map out my goals, and is always a pleasure to talk with. That helped make the harder stuff a little easier.
– M.R., Dog Trainer

I can help you to:

keep making an impact in your work, while also having time and energy for your personal life, so you can be present with the people and animals you love
identify and build healthy, flexible, and kind boundaries, so you can keep giving to others without burning out
design a work schedule that honors your energy and priorities
examine your assumptions and the stories you’re telling yourself so you can see (and shift!) how those perspectives shape your experience
develop your own definition of what "good enough" looks like for you right now
assess and address compassion fatigue, burnout, and moral distress that you may be experiencing
incorporate self-regulation practices, so that you can navigate stressful situations from a more grounded, confident place
build authentic self-care practices that actually work for you (and don't cost a fortune)
feel less isolated and more supported as you do hard things
safely share the profound stories and grief for the world that you carry
celebrate your wins (it's ok to feel good!!!)
build your online classes and other projects, so you can change jobs or careers
find practical solutions and make peace with living with a reactive dog (sounds like a curveball, but this is one of my superpowers)
access practical guidance and support for the challenges you're tackling, drawing on my own experiences working in animal welfare and as a self-employed solo business owner!

Jessica has made a significant difference in how I run my business, interface with clients, and operate on a daily basis. The changes we worked together to implement were realistic and achievable, and I never thought I’d laugh so much in the process! If you’re on the fence about either coaching or classes with Jessica, I promise that she’s worth it and her expertise, humor, and understanding go above and beyond expectations. – Mary, Dog Trainer

Working with Jessica has helped me find the strength and motivation to embrace a new way to work in the dog training field. She has helped me take my business from a far-off dream to reality, with gentle encouragement and practical business coaching. With her help, I have found the tools to accept my doubts and keep moving forward. Jessica is a magical powerhouse of compassion, humor, and expertise!
– Beth, Small Business Owner

One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began.

– Mary Oliver

Coaching with Jessica helped me to make the time and space in my life to focus on areas of my life that I had been neglecting. I wanted to regain some work-life balance, but I wasn’t sure where to begin, and I wasn’t making any changes. The accountability, strategies, and guidance that Jessica provided allowed me to create real change, and I built new habits that increased my quality of life. Jessica’s coaching style made me feel at ease. Our conversations were filled with incredible insights. I walked away from each session excited to be investing in myself, inspired to take the next steps, and with the tools to sustain progress!
– Caitlin, Director of Operations

My life transition coaching with Jessica helped me to prioritize prior to my retirement. She helped me see new possibilities and develop a specific plan for myself with self-care strategies to help me reach my goal. Gratefully, this changed my experience from a stressful one to a joyful one. I am very appreciative of her tremendous expertise and guidance. Jessica’s sense of humour, compassion, and expert coaching skills helped me find my “good enough” and establish boundaries that promoted a healthy lifestyle during this time. Her caring for others is second to none. She is an incredibly positive, inspiring, wise, and knowledgeable coach. I would highly recommend her to any person who is in any type of transition or challenged in their role to care for others, including animals.
– Pat, Human Resources Director

This might be a good fit for you if you'd like to...

Identify and lean into your strengths, values, and resources so you feel more confident and less stressed doing hard stuff at work and at home.
Increase your self-awareness so that you can recognize and make strong choices based on your authentic needs (not on what you "should" want or need).
Stop beating yourself up for not being “good enough” by taking a critical look at old stories, beliefs, and social conditioning.
Reconnect to the rewards of the work you do, so that you can tap into your sense of purpose and recognize the impact you have.
Set compassionate boundaries in your personal and professional work, so that you can feel less guilt when you take care of your needs.
Stay connected to your dreams and values, so that you can continue to do the meaningful work you love!

What do sessions look like? Every coaching relationship is different and customized to your individual needs. But generally speaking, sessions tend to incorporate elements of: Awareness, Balance + Boundaries, and Connection:

First, We Build Awareness

We’ll take some time to explore where you are right now, so you can clarify what you want out of your life and career. We’ll pay attention to any old stories or habits that may not be serving you anymore. With this new awareness, you'll decide how you want to use your upcoming sessions. If it's helpful for you, we’ll map out a path so you can make progress through clear, actionable steps.

Then, We Bring in Balance + Boundaries

Each session will be unique and guided by what you need that day. We might tackle healthy boundaries and create more balance in your life by leaning into your personal strengths, core values, and untapped resources. Or you might choose to use our time together to have your grief witnessed, to reflect on the nature of your work, or to tap into my skillset to help you problem solve.

And All Throughout, We Lean Into Connections That Sustain

During our sessions, you’ll discover and nurture deeper connections to internal and external resources, rituals, and relationships that will sustain you as you move forward. Every step of the way, you’ll have a coach who understands what it means to love animals and work in uniquely challenging environments.

Packages + Pricing

The Compassionate Badassery Sessions Standard Package Includes:

6 one-hour 1-on-1 calls with me (typically 1-2 sessions per month, to be used over 6 months).
Unlimited asynchronous support via email
Documents and materials tailored specifically to you, as needed.

My 1:1 coaching rates are priced for folks who can afford to invest more for individual support, and these rates help offset lower-cost, asynchronous group classes and the development of free resources. To make my support more accessible, you can choose the tier that works for you.

This is an honor system. Please choose a rate that is an investment, but not a hardship!*

Tier 1: $2000 — You have access to financial security, own property, or have personal savings, aka you’re financially comfortable, and would like to pay it forward by supporting those with less.

Tier 2: $1500 — You may be paying off debt or working to build savings, but you have access to a steady income. Making this investment might mean you have to cut back on some discretionary spending in your life, such as subscription services, dining out, etc., but only in the short term.

Tier 3: $1000 — You are safe and can steadily cover your basic needs, such as housing, though sometimes it may feel difficult. It's a stretch to invest in this, but doing so will not impede your ability to cover your bills or harm you in the long term.

Payments can be made in full or in 3 or 6 monthly installments.

*Please be mindful that if you purchase at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher tiers, you are limiting my ability to sustainably offer financial flexibility to those who need it.

Are you looking for a single-session deep dive to help you tackle a specific challenge? I occasionally have single sessions open: Check here to see if a Power Hour session is available.

Are you interested in working with me? Here’s how to get started:

Step 1a. Schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation call.

Step 1b. When you’re scheduling your session, you’ll be directed to answer a few questions from me. Before we hop on the phone, I’d like to know a bit about you and what you’d like to get out of working with me.

Step 2. At the scheduled time of your consultation call, we’ll get to know each other! We’ll use the opportunity to start looking at your situation, what your best next steps might be, and determine if we’re the right fit for each other (if not, I'll try to connect you with resources that are a better fit).

Step 3. Then we’ll get started! If we decide to work together, I’ll tell you the exact next steps.

Coaching may be a good fit for you if you’re ready to make changes and move forward in your life. However, if you need help resolving past trauma, please seek professional mental health care. Coaching is never a substitute for professional mental health help or medical care of any kind. Please read my Disclaimer and Terms for more information.