Astro Bug

THE VILLAGES, Fla. - AstroBug -- The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) is proud to announce the launch of a new compassionate support initiative designed to prioritize the mental well-being of its membership. As part of this program, two members of the PPG Steering Committee and a Board Member have successfully completed training in Emotional CPR (eCPR), equipping them to serve as a dedicated support system for the community. Dayle Pierce, Rebekah King and Holden Svirsky are now certified eCPR practitioners.

Recognizing the unique emotional challenges faced by pet professionals—from compassion fatigue to business stressors—PPG is establishing a safe, accessible space for members to be heard. Beginning March 2026, the Guild will host two scheduled sessions each month. These sessions will provide members with the opportunity to connect directly with the certified eCPR Practitioners, designated the PPG support team, to talk, process challenges, and receive non-clinical emotional support.

"At the Pet Professional Guild, we understand that supporting our members goes beyond business tools and training education; it means supporting the human behind the professional," said Niki Tudge, President and Founder of PPG. "By investing in eCPR training for our leadership, we are ensuring that our members have a compassionate, skilled ear available to them when they need it most."

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The training emphasizes connection over problem-solving, a distinction participants found powerful. Dayle Pierce, a PPG Board and Steering Committee member and newly certified eCPR practitioner, noted the shift in perspective: "I really enjoyed the eCPR training. It made me focus on truly listening and connecting with people, not just trying to fix everything." Rebekah King, PPG Operations Director and newly certified eCPR practitioner, reflected on this shift: "I really enjoyed the eCPR training. It reminded me that people aren't broken. When we truly listen and give them space to talk through what they're experiencing, they often find their own way forward."

Program Highlights:

• Certified Support: Two PPG Steering Committee members and a BOD Member have been certified in Emotional CPR, an educational program designed to teach people to assist others through an emotional crisis by three simple steps: C = Connecting, P = emPowering, and R = Revitalizing.
• Bi-Monthly Sessions: PPG will host two drop-in support sessions per month, accessible to all active professional members.
• Focus on Well-being: This initiative aims to foster a stronger sense of community and resilience within the force-free pet professional industry.

PPG will host eCPR sessions on the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. ET and the Third Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m. ET. These will be announced via the membership newsletter and social media groups.

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"If you feel like the last year (or six) have been extra difficult, you're not alone. Most of us who work as pet professionals, and especially those working in shelter and rescue, are familiar with compassion fatigue and burnout. And there's some great resources out there, but what I like about eCPR is its focus on removing barriers to care. We can show up for each other in a way that is different from a therapist-patient relationship, but perhaps no less impactful. Peer to peer support is powerful and empowering," quotes Holden Svirsky.

Media Contact: Niki Tudge, Niki@PetProfessionalGuild.com. www.Petprofessionalguild.com