Facing Fears (without treats)

Jayla was a shut down, terrified 15 pound big sister terrier mix to Orbit. After 5 months on the Reservation, they were tied up to the high intake shelter in Gallup, NM. Ten days later, they hitched a ride and ended up at my house in Boulder. 

What Jayla went through to learn to trust her surroundings enough to be led by a leash indoors and up a dark stairwell is very similar to what we humans with imposter syndrome try to face all the time. She carried with her a story of danger and dread around every corner along with the responsibility of being bigger and stronger than her sister.

I’ve been a foster home for cats and dogs for over 5 years. I’ve been training dogs in some capacity for nearly 15 years now. Jayla struck gold being matched with Rezdawg Rescue and being placed in one of our many foster homes that provide supportive patience with all the love, healthcare, and food each of us have to offer.

Being just a few weeks away from my certification with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the training to be an official Leadership Coach is a special time for me. It is a treat to watch Jayla right now as I am putting together my signature retreat/workshop/bootcamp for women in tech that are ready to face their inner critics head on and become the empowered and confident leader they dream of being. 

As I guide and support Jayla towards becoming a confident and carefree dog, I am reminded how similar a growth journey can be for humans and our pets. Just like Jayla, we all flourish better with a supportive relationship to catalyze our deeper understanding of the world around us. That relationship is a safe space to feel scared, explore new options, and experience something totally different than the terrifying stories in our heads.

Today, after many days of resisting and trying to hide in the bushes, Jayla remembered that the scary stairwell that she has been carried through before is all that is between the happy, grassy outside and the fun, toy-filled inside. Without the crutch of me carrying her, she eventually walked through the noisy door, into the dark hallway, and up the cement and metal stairs. Hurried in parts and frozen/wide-eyed in others, she faced the gauntlet and entered into a new chapter of her life.

All she needed was the space and support to get there. All each of us need is space and support to get to our bigger and better life as well.