Colleen Pelar
Professional Certified Coach (PCC) | 30+ Years in Pet Industry | Speaker & Facilitator
My Background: applied positive psychology practitioner | compassion fatigue and burnout recovery specialist | master practitioner of ethical NLP | former dog trainer and certified behavior consultant | author of three books on human-animal bonds | conference speaker nationwide
My Why: I help pet professionals rediscover their spark and build sustainable practices—because I know what it's like to love your work with animals while feeling completely drained by it.
How I got here ...
You know that moment when you're completely absorbed in something you love, and time just disappears? For me, that happened in 1991 during my first dog training class. Not because I was naturally gifted at reading canine body language (though I got better at that), but because I was watching something magical unfold—the moment when a frustrated dog owner suddenly got it, when the connection clicked, when both human and dog relaxed into understanding each other.
That spark led me through nearly three decades in the pet industry, three published books, conference stages across the country, and thousands of conversations about what makes relationships work. What I loved most was helping people learn new skills, feel more empowered, and knowing I could be a supportive guide during some of their most challenging moments.
Then compassion fatigue began creeping in, bit by bit. So gradually I barely noticed it getting heavier and heavier, until the feeling of "I can't keep going this way" was too much to ignore and something had to change.
I found myself giving everything to my clients while running on empty, losing the joy that had drawn me to this work in the first place. That experience led me to pursue training in coaching, NLP, positive psychology, and resilience skills—diving deep into what actually helps people in caring professions not just survive, but truly thrive. (I'm selective about the approaches I trained in and use—particularly with NLP, where I sought out ethical, relationship-centered training. I know this field has been misused by some, which is exactly why I'm intentional about how I apply these tools—always in service of your authentic growth, never to push you toward outcomes that aren't genuinely yours.)
Today, I work with pet professionals who are feeling the weight of their caring nature—wondering why life isn't easier, why they never feel on top of their to-dos, why they don't have the time, energy, or motivation to make changes that might feel more fulfilling.
When we work together, we don't focus on "work-life balance" or "self-care strategies." We talk about what actually matters to you, about rediscovering the spark that brought you to this work, and about creating a life that honors who you really are.
If you want to know even more about me ...
