Stephanie Merlin CFTBS FFCP
Cat Wellbeing Educator + Advocate
Advocate for Cat Advocates
Stephanie started working with cats in 2013, volunteering at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando without any idea it would lead her into a career path with cats. Stephanie felt an immediate intuitive connection to cats when working in the shelter and calling to become their advocate.
Stephanie knows cats are sensitive beings who are often misunderstood. Through her shelter work, Stephanie found a passion for helping people better understand the needs of cats to improve their emotional well-being and enhance the cat-human bond.
In 2017, Stephanie became a Certified Feline Behavior Specialist via the Animal Behavior Institute to gain better insight into the feline mind and behavior. In 2022, Stephanie became a certified Fear Free Professional to further help educate people on the emotional well-being and welfare of cats.
Additionally, Stephanie’s years of working in the shelter environment and caring for cats made her recognize the severity of compassion fatigue, caregiver burden, and burnout among animal welfare professionals and cat guardians. Stephanie is equally passionate about advocating and supporting the people who love, care for, and work with cats as cats themselves. Stephanie has pursued and received additional education and training in compassion fatigue and trauma-informed care to help support the humans too who so selflessly support our cat friends.
While Stephanie has education and training in conventional behavior practice with cats, she integrates that with a holistic and trauma-informed approach to her practice. Stephanie believes addressing and nurturing all areas of the cat, mind, body, soul, emotions, and the cat-human bond is integral in helping cat parents seek meaningful connection and a greater understanding of their cat’s emotional wellbeing and their own.
Stephanie would love to be your supportive guide in helping you, your cat, and your bond.
Credentials:
2017- Certified Feline Training & Behavior Specialist (CFTBS)
2021- Fear Free Shelters Graduate
2022- Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP)
Continued Education & Ceritifcation Courses:
2020- Compassion Fatigue & Resiliency Educator Certificate (Traumatology Institute)
2022- Trauma-Informed Coach Certificate (The Centre for Healing)
2023- C.A.R.E. REDI Bronze Certification (Companions & Animals for Reform & Equity)
Professional Organization Memberships:
Human-Animal Bond Association
American Association of Feline Practitioners
Pet Professional Guild
Cornell Feline Health Center
Volunteer Work:
2013- Present- Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
✩✩Fun Tidbits✩✩
Sun Sign- Cancer
Moon Sign- Capricorn
Rising Sign- Capricorn
Myers Briggs Type: INFJ
Please note that I am not a veterinarian and cannot treat or diagnose medical issues regarding your cat. If I suspect your cat may have a medical issue, I will always refer you to a veterinarian.