Ruff Relationships

  • Home
  • Ruff Relationships

Ruff Relationships Ruff Relationships provides mental health and wellbeing supports for animal care professionals and volunteers.

Today, I had the pleasure of celebrating a remarkable milestone: 30 years of dedication, compassion, and unwavering comm...
01/12/2025

Today, I had the pleasure of celebrating a remarkable milestone: 30 years of dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment from the ARF Alberta - Animal Rescue Foundation . For three decades, this incredible organization has been a lifeline for animals in our community.

What many may not know is that my own work in wellbeing supports for animal care professionals was deeply inspired by this hardworking team. Witnessing their resilience and empathy, often under extremely challenging demands- showed me just how essential it is to support the people who give so much of themselves to help animals thrive.

To the entire Animal Rescue Foundation team:
Thank you for the lives you’ve saved, the comfort you’ve offered, and the example you’ve set 👏

Not quite yourself lately? I can help.Sometimes the weight of emotionally difficult work stays with you long after your ...
26/11/2025

Not quite yourself lately? I can help.

Sometimes the weight of emotionally difficult work stays with you long after your day ends.

As animal-care professionals you carry stories, pain, and hope.

I offer individual therapy in Alberta and group support for professionals across North America to help you process, restore, and realign.

I also offer organizational consultation and training – so teams and organizations can build healthier, sustainable work cultures.

Feeling overwhelmed need not be the norm. Let’s explore a path forward together: www.connectwithmarlene.com

Struggling to move a particular client? CAPDT Friends: Join me on December 9th for a Q&A about complexity on the human ...
24/11/2025

Struggling to move a particular client? CAPDT Friends: Join me on December 9th for a Q&A about complexity on the human end of the leash.

I am feeling so grateful for the opportunity to present at the BehavioUr Eh! Conference alongside so many incredible Can...
03/11/2025

I am feeling so grateful for the opportunity to present at the BehavioUr Eh! Conference alongside so many incredible Canadian animal behaviour experts!

In a time when connecting in person can be increasingly difficult, this event was such a powerful reminder of how valuable face-to-face collaboration and community building truly are. The conversations, shared insights, and moments of connection reminded me why I love working with this community - it’s not just about the science, but about the people behind it.

A huge thank you to the organizers and everyone who made this event so engaging and inspiring Cindy Peacock - Animal Trainer Chasin' Tails Dog Care Center

It was so wonderful to finally meet and reconnect with Miniature Horsemanship - Kendra Gale, Simon Gadbois, Andre Yeu, Cat Harbord, Woofton Dog Training, Canidapt Dog Training & Working Dogs

If we had a chance to chat at the conference or you were watching online and you’d like to stay in touch, I’d love to keep the conversation going - feel free to reach out or drop a comment below!

Still feeling incredibly honored to have spoken at the Aggression in Dogs Conference this year. One thing that came thro...
02/10/2025

Still feeling incredibly honored to have spoken at the Aggression in Dogs Conference this year. One thing that came through loud and clear from attendees: there is a deep need for support when it comes to managing the stress and emotional toll of working in animal care and behavior professions.

Whether you're handling complex cases, navigating empathic strain, or just trying to stay grounded while doing this intense and meaningful work — you are not alone.

That’s why I created Stronger Together, a four-session series thoughtfully designed for professionals in high-stress, trauma-exposed roles. Each session begins with conceptual learning, followed by a community of practice — a space to explore how to apply what you’ve learned to your real, messy, beautiful day-to-day life.

It’s the support for all the things no one told you you'd experience (or struggle with) in this field.

DM me if you’d like more info or to find out when the next series is starting. Let’s make sure those who care for others have care and community too.

To my American friends - if you missed AIDC this year - join me online at the BehavioUr Eh! Conference (the exchange is ...
29/09/2025

To my American friends - if you missed AIDC this year - join me online at the BehavioUr Eh! Conference (the exchange is in your favor!)

29/09/2025

“Burnout and empathic strain are real occupational hazards in this field. Career sustaining behaviors are not optional, they are necessary.”
- Marlene O’Neill Laberge

At the Aggression in Dogs Conference, Marlene O’Neill Laberge reminded us that the work we do with dogs and people can take a heavy toll. The emotional weight, the long hours, and the constant exposure to conflict and suffering are not things we can simply push through.

If we want to show up fully for the dogs and clients who need us, we have to show up for ourselves too. Rest, support, and sustainable practices are not luxuries. They are essential.

This work matters. And so do you.

The most fascinating and at the same time heartbreaking thing I have confronted on this trip to India is the juxtapositi...
29/01/2025

The most fascinating and at the same time heartbreaking thing I have confronted on this trip to India is the juxtaposition of the risk assessment, conflict resolution, stress resilience and stress recovery behavior in the street dogs, while at home we are building protocol after protocol to support our dogs to cope, to navigate social interaction and to manage conflict. It is not unlike the crisis our youth are facing as we over work to keep them comfortable and protected from risk, adversity and conflict in their relationships and the natural environment, robbing them of opportunities to develop experience, confidence, judgement and coping skills, while at the same time over exposing them to an influx of overstumulation and too much, too soon inputs in our manufactured world.

I am so excited to be joining an incredible group of dog professionals at the LEGS in Motion Conference 2025. This year'...
17/01/2025

I am so excited to be joining an incredible group of dog professionals at the LEGS in Motion Conference 2025. This year's theme is At Home in the World. Who doesn't need that right now?! Registration link in comments 💕

Looking forward to joining the Golden Dog Community to chat about mental healthiness and stress resilience for animal ca...
10/10/2024

Looking forward to joining the Golden Dog Community to chat about mental healthiness and stress resilience for animal caregivers tonight!

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ruff Relationships posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Ruff Relationships:

Shortcuts

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Share