Tom Candy on Burnout, Boundaries & Breakthroughs in Shelter Work [Episode 255]

Animal Training Academy

In this continuation of our two-part series, Tom Candy returns to the Animal Training Academy Podcast to dive even deeper into the complex, emotional, and incredibly impactful world of shelter and rescue behavior work. As a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviorist and founder of Simplifying Shelter Behaviour, Tom brings over 15 years of experience in the field and a relentless commitment to improving animal welfare.

In this episode, Tom opens up about the human side of behavior work in shelter settings—discussing the emotional toll, the importance of support systems, and the nuanced decisions behavior professionals must make every day. With heart, humor, and humility, he shares insights into:

✅ Navigating the mental load and moral dilemmas of behavior work in rescue environments ✅ The significance of peer support and reflective practice to combat compassion fatigue ✅ How to balance behavioral outcomes with the best welfare options for animals and their caregivers ✅ Empowering shelter staff and volunteers with practical, positive-based solutions ✅ Why clear communication and small wins can create powerful ripples of change

This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in or alongside rescue and shelter organizations. Whether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, volunteer, or advocate, Tom’s grounded perspective and lived experience will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired to do more of the good work—without burning out.

Links

https://open.spotify.com/show/1Ea6VTImAPcnlXilJYunij?si=9494adef3f064d14

https://simplifyingshelterbehaviour.com/

https://educanine.org/2025-conference?fbclid=IwY2xjawKHUYJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA5Y3ZLaDQ0eDFYdHUyRHBNAR4dLvacTszLMncdW44_WmU-oeObn6FsRO7wApjPdj_HZvsTnOCB34Xqf6xsqg_aem_b3aPz3fSwo7LroNisEnxzw