#7 Sarah Tapsell - From Wolf Encounters to Rescue Frontlines

In this episode, Steve sits down with Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) and rescue powerhouse, Sarah Tapsell. From her hilariously inventive childhood tactics to get her very first pet rabbit (involving 100 printed signs and a very confused neighbor), to a sliding-doors moment that steered her away from sports dietetics and straight into ethology, Sarah’s path is anything but linear.Steve and Sarah unpack the raw reality of frontline rescue work—explaining why it's the ultimate immersive learning environment for dog trainers, how to navigate the heavy emotional toll of complex behavioral cases, and why understanding the true why behind an animal's behavior changes everything. If you've ever felt burnt out, wondered how to get into rescue, or wanted to know how to properly advocate for your own mental health in this industry, this episode is a must-listen.Key Topics Covered:The "100 Pieces of Paper" Strategy: Sarah's childhood campaign for a pet rabbit.The Sliding Doors Moment: How a wolf experience at age 19 completely derailed a career in sports dietetics.The Pressure Cooker of Rescue: Why shelter work offers an unparalleled immersive learning environment for dog handlers and behaviorists.Navigating the Dark Days: Facing compassion fatigue, accepting that "nothing is perfect," and learning how to decompress and advocate for yourself.The Danger of Labels: Disregarding the "D-word" (Dominance) and transitioning to understanding true emotional motivations.Hopes for the Profession: Why marrying top-tier practical handling with robust theoretical education is vital for the future of animal welfare.Guest Biography: Sarah Tapsell is a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), a member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC), and a PACT-accredited Animal Training Instructor. She has dedicated two decades to animal welfare, rescue, and clinical behavior roles. Sarah has held senior and frontline behavior positions with some of the UK’s most prominent organizations, including Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the RSPCA, and Dogs Trust, alongside running her own self-employed private clinical practice (OABT) with her colleague Ryan. Specializing in complex, trauma-related, and high-risk behaviors, Sarah brings a strong shelter-medicine perspective to her work. She currently works in rescue as a Senior Clinical Animal Behaviourist and lives near Exmoor with her beloved rescued animals: three Chihuahuas, a Basset Hound, and four mini lop rabbits.Helpful Links & Resources Mentioned:Book Recommendation: Learn more about navigating compassion fatigue and looking after yourself in the industry with Emotional Well-being for Animal Welfare Professionals by Tamsin DurstonFind Out More About PACT: Ready to take your dog training or behavior journey to the gold standard? Start your journey with PACT here.Get Your Tickets to DogX: Don't miss the ultimate dog training event of the year! Grab your DogX tickets here.