Who supports the humans behind the leash?

Hi everyone,

My name is Debbie Sheridan. You likely know me as a colleague in the R+ dog training world, or perhaps just as a fellow dog lover. Today, I’m reaching out not as a trainer, but as a Board Member of the Phenix Advocacy Center (PAC).

We spend our days teaching dogs how to navigate the world with confidence, but let’s be honest: the industry can be incredibly hard on the humans.

Between the "toxic" corners of social media, the secondary trauma of seeing dogs harmed by outdated methods, and the burnout that comes when clients struggle to follow through, our mental health takes a backseat. For a long time, there was no safety net for us—until the PAC was born in 2023.

What We Do

The PAC is the only global leader dedicated to the mental and physical well-being of ethical canine professionals. We provide:

• Peer-to-Peer Support: A strong shoulder to lean on when the job gets heavy.

• Specialized Education: Programs like our Emotional CPR course that literally change lives.

• Professional Referrals: Connecting trainers with mental health resources that actually "get" our industry.

Why We Need You

Here is the tough reality: Grants for the humans working with dogs are non-existent. We are an all-volunteer team, but keeping these programs running requires funding.

Can I count on you for a Spring Fundraiser donation? Even $10 helps us maintain our private support groups and monthly core-issue discussions.

We’ve spent our careers advocating for the dogs. It’s time we advocated for ourselves. You are worth the investment, and so are your colleagues.

Make a donation of ANY size here:

https://givebutter.com/debbies-pac-spring-fundraiser-fsvp2t

With gratitude,

Debbie Sheridan, PAC Board Member