Rethinking Reactivity with Jessica Wheatcraft
A podcast designed to empower, educate, and equip the modern handler of reactive dogs.
Jessica Wheatcraft is a certified dog behavior consultant dedicated to helping reactive dogs and their humans.
Rethinking Reactivity with Jessica Wheatcraft
The Emotional Toll of Living With a Reactive Dog with Jess Adam
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Caring for a reactive dog, or any dog that exhibits maladaptive behaviors, is hard. It often puts a high emotional toll on the person, who may already be struggling to meet their dog's needs while trying to juggle their own lives. And worse, so many go through this journey facing judgment from people who mean well, but don't truly "get it." If you have ever felt alone on this journey, this one is for you.
👉 In this episode, I talk with Jess Adam from Handlers and Humans about:
- What the studies show about the mental health of guardians of dogs with behavior challenges
- Why accepting your dog can feel like grief
- Caregiver burden and the toll it takes on everyday life
- How to know if you are normalizing the emotional toll and abandoning yourself along the way
- What dog professionals could be doing differently to support their clients
- And more!
🌟 About Jess Adam:
Jess Adam is a licensed professional counselor based in Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband, twin boys, an 11-year-old reactive pit mix named Dio, and a cat named Bat. Passionate about both mental health and animal welfare, Jess created Handlers & Humans—a coaching practice that helps dog guardians and canine professionals navigate the emotional side of life with complex dogs.
With over a decade of experience as a therapist and counseling professor, Jess brings clinical expertise and lived experience together in a warm, evidence-based approach. She’s currently deepening her work by studying veterinary mental health, further bridging the gap between human wellbeing and animal care. Through individual coaching, group programs, and online courses, Jess helps people show up with more confidence, calm, and compassion for their pets and themselves.
➡️ Website
➡️ Instagram: handlersandhumans
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🐾 For Pet Parents of reactive dogs: Reactivity Roadmap
For courses on helping reactive dogs for both pet parents and dog professionals go to www.jessicawheatcraft.com
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