Episode Details

Have you ever found yourself bracing for a repeat of everything that went wrong with a previous pet? In this episode, Emily and Veronica get real about how our experiences with past pets shape how we show up for the animals in our lives right now. From shame spirals to hypervigilance to carrying baggage from past cases, they break down why this happens, why it matters, and what you can actually do about it to meet the pet in front of you.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways 

1️⃣ Your feelings are valid, but your premise might be flawed - Acknowledge your emotional responses without letting them make all your decisions.

2️⃣ Preparedness vs. hypervigilance - Past experiences can make you a better caregiver when you extract the lessons and leave the hair-trigger fear response behind.

3️⃣ You don't have to erase your past to show up in the present - Curiosity, community, and compassionate objectivity are your best tools.

For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here.

More from Pet Harmony

Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips
📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining

Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people
📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro

📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/

Subscribe & Review

If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛

PETPro doors are open! 

Got the certifications, books, and theory down cold? But still feel like a fraud the second a case gets messy? You don't need more knowledge; you need a way to think through it.

PETPro teaches you to work through complicated cases, start to finish. 

Doors close September 23 at 11:59 pm and don't open again until next year.

Join us at petharmonytraining.com/petpro.