The Cost of Caring: Finding Balance Beyond Compassion Fatigue with Jen Blough, LPC

Caring deeply is a gift… but it can also come at a cost.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted from worrying about your dog, questioning if you’re doing enough, or carrying the weight of the world because your heart is so wide open, you’re not alone. What you may be feeling is compassion fatigue - the very real toll of loving, giving, and advocating without pausing to refill your own cup.

In this episode I sit down with Jennifer Blough, a licensed professional counsellor, pet loss specialist, and host of The Compassion Fatigue Podcast. Jen has dedicated her work to helping animal lovers, activists, and caregivers navigate the “cost of caring” with more resilience, balance, and grace.

Together we explore:
✨ What compassion fatigue actually is and how to recognise it in yourself
✨ Why dog mamas (especially those with challenging or special-needs pups) are especially at risk
✨ The difference between pain and suffering
✨ How guilt and “never enough” thinking fuel burnout
✨ Why prioritising your mental health is not selfish, but essential
✨ Simple ways to protect your heart while still making a difference
✨ How to keep showing up for your dogs, your community, and the planet—without losing yourself in the process

This conversation is an invitation to release the shame, honour your limits, and remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Because when you care for yourself, you create the capacity to care even more deeply, and sustainably, for the beings who depend on you.

Learn more about Jen’s work: https://beyondcompassionfatigue.com

Join our free F.E.T.C.H. First Light Facebook group, our sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection. https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

Grab your FREE copy of our Learn F.E.T.C.H. Starter Pack to begin your F.E.T.C.H. journey with your dog today! https://www.learnfetch.com/pages/fetch-starter-pack