Image has a custard background with lilac, lavender, and chocolate brown puppy spots. Lilac spot center holds moss green line drawing of human and dog connected in breath. In dark green, the words "Sensory Safety Planning a workbook"

When you click “buy now” you will also be able to see pages of the workbook prior to purchasing.

 

Sensory Safety Planning: A Workbook 

For neurodivergent guardians of reactive dogs, to renew your sense of safety and plan for success, so you can say “yes” to meaningful activities with your dog.

Have you ever said "yes" to something:

  • because you thought you "should" (even though you really didn't want to)?

  • because you didn't want to seem rude, or make someone feel bad?

  • and then regretted it, wanting to never do it again?

Do you long to:

  • say “no” without feeling guilt or shame?

  • ask specific questions so you can thoughtfully consider your options?

  • know exactly what you and your dog need to succeed, and have the confidence to ask for it?

  • engage in meaningful activities with your dog without feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed?

I’ve got you! This workbook will support you in building awareness of your needs, identifying tools and supports, and making clear requests, so you can:

 

1

say “yes” to activities that involve your dog with confidence

2

say “no” to experiences that don’t feel safe or accessible without feeling guilty

3

make specific requests so you can participate with ease

 

4

engage in meaningful activities with your dog in ways that feel safe and nourishing

5

embrace your neurodivergence and your unique way of being in the world

6

claim your agency and be the amazing dog parent your dog already believes you to be

  • I found the writing, structure and layout of the workbook very inviting and accessible.

  • I loved this workbook!

    Overall I think this workbook is amazing and really helpful for me as someone who is and shares her life with a dog who is prone to overstimulation due to sensory issues. I will be using this over and over again to ensure I am setting myself and my dog up for success every time. Thank you so much for creating this Sharon!”

  • A huge take away from this workbook was the awareness that my identified overwhelmed, frustration and shame regarding Oliver’s resistance to taking a longer walk was that the environment and other external factors actually played a huge part in contributing to those feelings than I realized - ex being outside and feeling overstimulated, afraid of others perception of my care taking, the large and unsafe intersection with no stop sign we need to cross for the longer walk, etc.

  • The questions and prompts were perfect!

    I had to think about every single aspect of an experience and go into detail about it. Also because of the amount of thought that goes into answering each prompt, the reminders to take a break and drink water are very welcome and needed for myself, I also love that they include your dog in the breaks as well. The links to websites for additional emotions etc are a great addition too, as someone who regularly can't name my emotions on the spot this made a huge difference.

  • I found it super helpful!

    I enjoyed it a lot. Also it took me about 30 min to do. I definitely got a lot out of it in terms of how to set my own boundaries better when it comes to Duchess and other people and dogs!

  • I walk many dogs with complex management needs and have fallen into a trap of hyper vigilance and high stress and found myself in many of the exact kinds of situations and with the types of sensory and emotional fall out that the Sensory Safety Planning Workbook was designed around.

    The workbook helped me understand that, while I had the skills to safely navigate these scenarios for the dogs I walk, I had neither been keeping myself safe nor cultivating the skills necessary to keep myself safe.

    I can often resist developing supports for myself and so I was surprised at how inviting the workbook was and how well it held me while working through it. The writing was easy to understand but also affirming and the pacing of the sections makes the workbook manageable and pleasing.

    Enacting the plan I developed through the workbook has stopped my overwhelm and stress detracting the joy of each walk. I feel safer and more assured advocating for myself. It is also wonderful to notice the dogs I walk realize that I am more present during difficult moments and start to make use of that so we can navigate these situations together.

  • I feel safer and more assured advocating for myself.

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About the Workbook

  • Who is this for?

    This workbook is ideal for humans who:

    • live with a dog who has big feelings and reactions

    • work with dogs as a trainer, walker, pet sitter, groomer, vet tech, veterinarian, animal assisted interventions provider

    • identify as neurodivergent, hypersensitive, highly sensitive, or neuroqueer

    • are engaged in learning about consent and embodiment

    • identify as recovering people pleasers

    • struggle with anxiety, overwhelm, sensory overload, or dissociation, especially in social situations that involve their dog

    • know that in order to help their dog, they need to help themselves

    • are proud to be their unique selves and know that with the right supports they and their dog can succeed

  • What frameworks are used?

    This workbook draws from the following frameworks:

    • Somatic Consent

    • The Yes-No Spectrum for humans and dog behavior

    • Sensory Integration Theory

    • trauma-informed nonviolent communication

  • What methods are used?

    This workbook includes:

    • a story about my struggles with Muggins and how I developed this workbook

    • examples of my own workbook notes (so you can see how it works)

    • specific instructions on how to use the workbook & supplies you’ll need

    • a guide to reflect on your past experiences, noting all the sensations

    • breaks for movement, sensory strategies, belly rubs, and play time

    • journal prompts to help you build awareness of how your body felt in the past experience

    • a guided review of your notes to help you identify pleasant and unpleasant sensations

    • a planning guide to help you identify tools, requests, and boundaries

    • a guide to imagine your future (supported) experience

    • links to additional resources for dog training exercises, feelings and sensations vocabulary, and consent educators

  • How do I use it?

    This workbook is delivered as a digital download, and can be used in 3 ways:

    1. open the document on your phone or computer using a pdf app, and type into the available fields

    2. print the workbook and write on it directly

    3. open the workbook on your phone or computer, and use a separate journal or paper to write

    This workbook can be completed:

    • once and done forever

    • multiple times with a different activity each time

    • multiple times with the same activity as you adjust and make improvements

    • all at once, one section at a time, over a week or so

Buy now

  • workbook user

    “I loved this workbook. Overall I think this workbook is amazing and really helpful for me as someone who is and shares her life with a dog who is prone to overstimulation due to sensory issues. I will be using this over and over again to ensure I am setting myself and my dog up for success every time.

    Thank you so much for creating this Sharon!”

  • “I found the writing, structure and layout of the workbook very inviting and accessible.”

    workbook tester

  • workbook user

    “A huge take away from this workbook was the awareness that my identified overwhelmed, frustration and shame regarding Oliver’s resistance to taking a longer walk was that the environment and other external factors actually played a huge part in contributing to those feelings than I realized - ex being outside and feeling overstimulated, afraid of others perception of my care taking, the large and unsafe intersection with no stop sign we need to cross for the longer walk, etc.”

  • workbook user

    The questions and prompts were perfect. I had to think about every single aspect of an experience and go into detail about it. Also because of the amount of thought that goes into answering each prompt, the reminders to take a break and drink water are very welcome and needed for myself, I also love that they include your dog in the breaks as well. The links to websites for additional emotions etc are a great addition too, as someone who regularly can't name my emotions on the spot this made a huge difference.

  • “I found it super helpful! I enjoyed it a lot. I definitely got a lot out of it in terms of how to set my own boundaries better when it comes to Duchess and other people and dogs!”

    workbook tester

  • workbook tester & coaching client

    Broccoli did incredible! I used what I learned from the workbook I tested, too, to ensure that everything I needed to say, “yes” was in place. I asked for extra time to prepare and I kept myself calm leading up to them arriving, which in turn meant that Broccoli stayed calm too. I gave him and I a lil pep talk throughout the morning too. I kept my focus entirely on him and moved completely at his pace.

    I knew we had it in us!

  • Amy (professional dog walker & sitter)

    The workbook helped me understand that, while I had the skills to safely navigate these scenarios for the dogs I walk, I had neither been keeping myself safe nor cultivating the skills necessary to keep myself safe. I can often resist developing supports for myself and so I was surprised at how inviting the workbook was and how well it held me while working through it.

    The writing was easy to understand but also affirming and the pacing of the sections makes the workbook manageable and pleasing. Enacting the plan I developed through the workbook has stopped the overwhelm and stress that was detracting the joy of each walk.

    I feel safer and more assured advocating for myself. It is also wonderful to notice that the dogs I walk realize that I am more present during difficult moments and start to make use of that so we can navigate these situations together.

Through investing in yourself and your dog, you will receive a digital download of this 22-page workbook. You’ll read a story to inspire you and guidance to support you in cultivating awareness of yourself, identifying tools and requests and boundaries. You’ll also find tips and breaks to support you in caring for your body and your dog as you go through the process.

Ultimately, you’ll receive the support and nourishment you need to say “yes” to meaningful activities with your dog!

 

FAQs

  • This workbook costs $22.

    *If you want a discount, sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive discount codes for 10% off!

    Join here

  • This workbook is a digital download. As soon as your purchase is complete, you will be able to download your workbook.

  • I do not provide refunds for this product because it is a digital download and there is no way for you to return it.

    To ensure confidence in your purchase, you are welcome to email me and ask any questions you have.

    Please also click here to view some pages from the workbook.

  • This workbook can be used in 3 ways:

    • open the document on your phone or computer using a pdf app, and type into the available fields

    • print the workbook and write on it directly

    • open the workbook on your phone or computer, and use a separate journal or paper to write

  • Nope! Use and re-use this workbook as many times as you like!

    This workbook can be completed:

    • once and done forever

    • multiple times with a different activity each time

    • multiple times with the same activity as you adjust and make improvements

    • all at once one section at a time, over a week or so

  • Absolutely! This workbook can be a great introduction to somatic consent and embodiment. Some of the exercises might feel difficult if you are not used to feeling or naming the sensations in your body. This workbook provides links to free resources that can help build your vocabulary, and the included exercises are a great way to start practicing.

    If some parts feel hard or frustrating, this may be a sign that you would benefit from additional support, such as working with a coach or taking a class.

  • I totally understand! The cover is the only page that has background color, and all the other pages have white backgrounds to make printing as easeful as possible.

  • No, this workbook is not a dog training guide. It’s more of a guide to support the human in the relationship. If your dog needs to build some skills, check out my coaching options or explore your local dog training classes.

    This workbook WILL help you to identify what your dog needs to learn, and there is a link to Leslie McDevitt’s work (she created some amazing training exercises called Pattern Games!)