Build Your Self-Trust Toolkt
Learn to recognize your competence and trust your decisions
A four-month, eight-session group program for Family Paws parent educators ready to bridge the gap between their expertise and their confidence.
The next group begins in February 2026.
A Common Story
There's this exhausting contradiction that happens when you're a skilled Family Paws parent educator. You know your stuff. Clients trust you with their most precious relationships—their children and dogs.
Yet you may sometimes wake up questioning whether you're making the right decisions, doing enough, being enough. Or perhaps there's that persistent voice asking: "What if I'm not as good at this as people think I am?"
The stakes can feel impossibly high—if something goes wrong, a child could be injured, which is devastating for everyone and often leads to a dog being rehomed—or even euthanized.
You care deeply about the families you serve, yet you're at risk of running on empty, giving everything to others while constantly doubting your professional judgment.
What You've Probably Tried
You've probably taken more courses and certifications than you can count, hoping that the next credential will finally make you feel like you really, truly know what you're doing. You've been skill-building like crazy for years now.
You may even have challenged yourself to "fake it till you make it," but still it can feel like you wind up right back where you started—doubting yourself despite evidence of your competence.
Why The Usual Solutions Don't Work
The problem isn't that you lack knowledge or skills—you actually have those in abundance. The issue is that you're measuring yourself against an impossible standard of perfection while dismissing your actual accomplishments as "luck" or "just doing what anyone would do."
External validation feels good momentarily, but then you're right back to questioning whether you deserve it. You can't think your way out of this because ...
The real issue is about self-rapport, not self-improvement.
This is a brand-new program, and these quotes from clients are from other programs I've run in the past.
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I experienced a wonderful sense of community and gained some new insights about relating to others. Since it's focused on personal growth, I think everyone will find something of value if they are ready to take that first step forward.
Misty Hampton
Fellow Creatures Pet Consulting
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The best part of this program was seeing that there are many people who struggle with the same things I do. Knowing it's not just me got me out of my own circular thinking of I'm the only one and made it easier for me to take action.
Victoria Gideon
PNW K9 Homeschool
What You Really Need
You need to develop practical tools for recognizing your competence, trusting your professional judgment, and making decisions from a place of inner knowing rather than external validation.
You need connection with others who understand your challenges, and you need a toolkit of strategies that actually work when self-doubt shows up.
This isn't about learning more techniques—it's about building reliable ways to see the expertise you already have and trust yourself to handle whatever comes your way.
This program addresses something different than technical training or additional certifications. Instead of adding more techniques to your toolkit, we're focusing on your relationship with yourself—learning to trust the expertise you already have and recognize your competence when self-doubt shows up. You'll expand your understanding by hearing how others experience the same challenges, creating a richer map of what's possible.
The Self-Trust Toolkit May Help
Having spent over 25 years working directly with clients before becoming a coach, I understand both the technical and emotional sides of your role. I've supported professionals in changing their relationship with themselves using frameworks that address the core issue—developing a compassionate, trusting relationship with themselves—rather than just treating the symptoms.
This program combines my expertise in positive psychology, ethical NLP, and coaching with the power of group connection among professionals who understand the weight of responsibility you carry.
Working alongside Jen Shryock, who's dedicated her career to helping families with kids and dogs have happy, peaceful homes, we've created something specifically designed for the unique challenges you face as Family Paws parent educators.
What You'll Experience in Each Session
We are a community of growth-oriented people coming together to share what we've learned and learn from what others share. We aren't looking for generic "right answers" or "best practices" that apply to everyone.
This isn't about labeling or categorizing—there's no "right" or "wrong way to be, just a better understanding of how you work. Instead each person is encouraged to connect with themselves and discover what works best for them. Hearing others' perspectives and sharing your own insights gives each member of the group new perspectives and a deeper understanding of what's possible for them.
Each session combines practical learning with meaningful interaction. You'll experience breakout rooms for deeper one-on-one sharing, interactive exercises (not lecture-heavy presentations), and real-time discussion about how concepts show up in your daily work. Sessions include post-session email recaps with key insights, so you can revisit and apply what resonates most.
Session 1: Belonging
Explore the three levels of belonging and discover why you sometimes feel like an outsider—plus what you can do to feel more connected without sacrificing your authenticity.
Session 2: Connection
Uncover the connection paradox that leaves your clients feeling better while you feel drained, and learn a simple strategy to maintain your energy while still serving deeply.
Session 3: Wiring
Understand how your brain generates thoughts and feelings, so you can interrupt the "not good enough" spiral before it takes hold of your entire day.
Session 4: Inspiration
Discover your unique motivation blueprint and why generic productivity advice doesn't work for you—plus what actually will move you forward when you're nervous or overwhelmed.
Session 5: Clarity
Transform your relationship with decision-making by appreciating your past experiences and unique perspective, so choices feel right instead of anxiety-provoking.
Session 6: Certainty
Learn to recognize and own your professional expertise without feeling like you're bragging—including practical tools for handling imposter syndrome when it shows up.
Session 7: Momentum
Using everything you've discovered about yourself, choose specific next steps that feel exciting rather than overwhelming, creating sustainable change.
Session 8: Integration & Community
Reflect on your transformation, celebrate your growth, and create support systems for continuing this work beyond our time together.
You're likely a strong fit if you:
- Have some professional experience as a Family Paws educator, but still struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
- Sometimes feel isolated in this specialized field and crave connection with others who truly understand your challenges.
- Have spent more time than you'd like second-guessing your decisions—even when they turn out well.
- Are committed to personal growth and willing to engage in group learning.
- Can attend consistently over 4 months. We're building community, not running a drop-in program.
The program is NOT designed for:
- Complete beginners who haven't yet developed professional experience. You need some expertise to work on trusting it.
- People seeking quick fixes or surface-level solutions.Building self-trust requires engagement and practice.
- Those who prefer purely individual attention. Group dynamics are central to the learning.
- People looking for technical training or skill-building. This is about recognizing and trusting skills you already have!
Colleen Pelar, PCC
As someone who spent over 25 years as a dog trainer before becoming a professional certified coach (PCC), I understand this challenge intimately. I know what it's like to feel like you aren't doing enough for the animals and clients you serve, and yet find what you're already doing feels exhausting and unsustainable.
My approach isn't about becoming less caring or building walls around your heart—it's about creating sustainable ways to honor both your deep compassion and your human needs.
Jen Shryock
Jen Shryock is the proud owner of Family Paws, LLC, an organization dedicated to helping families with kids and dogs have happy, peaceful homes.
As you know quite well, Jen is passionate about education, and she believes that exploring topics with colleagues is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. More than 1,000 dog professionals have taken her training programs to become Family Paws parent educators over the last 20 years.
Program Details
Format: 8 sessions over 4 months, meeting twice monthly on Thursdays at 2 pm ET
Dates: We'll begin in February. The exact dates will be posted soon.
Group Size: Small group size—6-8 Family Paws parent educators—ensures you'll feel known, seen, and appreciated for who you are. (We've set the minimum at 6 to create the community experience that makes this program work.)
Duration: 75 minutes per session via Zoom
No homework or assignments outside sessions. Just live your life with new awareness and share what you choose to share.
This is a brand-new program, and the quotes from clients are from other programs I've run in the past.
“
This program was incredibly helpful. I felt uplifted and supported by the group. I gained new insights and learned multiple new strategies that have made my work and home life more meaningful.
Linda Hudson
Humane Rescue Alliance
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Self care can feel uncomfortable... we don't have time, it feels silly, etc. This group makes caring for yourself easy... no guilt, no pressure, just a method to move toward self-care that can change your life, not just for you, but for your family and the others you serve.
Tina Spring
Sit Happens Behavior & Training
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Every session brings some new learning or growth to my life. I’m happy to be part of this group and so thrilled that I decided to sign up. I always say, this is the best investment I've made in myself in the last few years.
Huzannah Joseph
Paw Pals
A Different Approach: Kindred Pricing
I believe in making transformative learning and growth opportunities accessible to pet professionals. That's why I use Kindred Pricing - a thoughtful approach that honors both your circumstances and the sustainability of my practice and Jen's.
Let's be real - pet professionals are often overworked and underpaid. Yet I know your wisdom and dedication are exactly what's needed in our field right now. When clients choose higher rates, it allows me to sustainably offer lower rates to others who couldn't otherwise access this support. Every rate choice creates ripples of positive change—supporting both your growth and our broader pet professional community.
Our economic system is far from fair. Yet all of our hearts and creativity are needed now. If you could benefit from this program, we want you to have it.
What other people charge
Professional development that addresses your relationship with yourself—the foundation of how you show up professionally—typically comes with a premium price. I've seen programs like this anywhere from $400 to $1,000, and sometimes much more.
What is sustainable for us
It's important to us that we are honest with you and not pretending that we and our businesses don't have needs, because we do.
The abundance rate for this program is $475, which keeps Jen's and my practices thriving and allows us to welcome participants at lower rates. If this rate feels possible for you, even if it's a meaningful stretch, your choice directly supports making this work accessible to others in our community.
The sustaining rate is $400. This rate balances accessibility with sustainability. If the higher rate feels like too much of a stretch, but you value investing in your professional growth, this might feel most aligned for you.
The minimum rate is $325. This rate makes this program accessible to a wider group of pet professionals. No questions asked about your choice.
I trust you to choose the rate that works for your situation - no explanation needed. I bring my full presence and dedication to every session, regardless of the rate you select.
How to Decide
First, reflect on whether the Self-Trust Toolkit feels right for you and what it could mean for your work with animals and clients. And especially with your relationship with yourself.
If you decide to join, consider what session rate between $325-475 feels right for you. Take time to weigh both your practical circumstances and what feels aligned with your values.
This process invites us to recognize our connection as kindred spirits while honoring both your reality and the sustainability of this work.
Investment includes all eight sessions, private community access, and resources for continued growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not promising "a whole new you" at the end of this program. (The current you is awesome.) Instead I'm guaranteeing that you will know some helpful things about yourself that you didn't know before and that you'll be able to use some of these tools in your personal and professional life.
Sometimes life gets in the way, we get it. Replays will be available for group members. These will not ever be shared publicly.
After each session, I will send a short recap of key ideas and a link to the recording, so you'll know what we did. You are also strongly encouraged to reach out to another group member to ask them to run through any of the session's activities with you, so you can have the experience and deepen your connection with one another.
So that's our backup plan for when you can't come, but I really hope you'll do all you can to join us live. That's where the magic happens.
Yes, this program sprung from a conversation that Jen and Colleen had not long ago in which they discussed the challenges Family Paws parent educators face. Colleen couldn't get the conversation out of her head. One thing lead to another, and here we are. In the future, Colleen will create cohorts of the Self-Trust Toolkit to other pet pros, but this group is just for Family Paws.
No, not at this time. The scope of this program is a bit outside the usual criteria for CEUs from the various dog-training associations.
Interested, but not quite sure? Schedule a quick call with Colleen to ask your questions.
(Having a call scheduled will not hold a spot for you in the program. Spaces are filled on a first-come/first-served basis.)