Why Do Pets Matter? Hosted by Debra Hamilton, Esq.

In this episode, I sat down with the fantastic Debbie Dahmer, the host of "Voices Carry For Animals", to delve into the profound significance of pets in our lives and the vital importance of responsible pet ownership. Debbie shares her deep commitment to advocating for shelter animal adoption and emphasizes the ethical imperative of spaying and neutering. Drawing from personal experiences with her own beloved pets, she highlights the profound emotional connection between humans and animals and stresses the need for legislative action to protect their welfare. Through heartfelt anecdotes and practical advice, I am inspired by Debbie's advocacy, encouraging listeners to join the cause and make a difference in the lives of animals everywhere. Guest Links: If you would like to listen to Debbie's show, you can do so here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-dahmer-794187120/ https://voicescarryforanimals.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-dahmer-794187120/ Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation

We are back with Colonel Carla Bass, USAF (Ret), who is a force to be reckoned with, to talk about the final installment of "Writing To Influence". We explore the last three word sculpting techniques: "Who Does What to Whom," "Keep the Focus and Shut the Gate," and "Revise, Edit, and Proofread." Drawing from her Air Force career, Carla stresses concise writing for effective communication. She also introduces the concept of tethers and provides examples, emphasizing their role in strengthening sentences. The discussion underscores the importance of reading aloud to detect and correct errors, empowering writers in the animal service industry to craft compelling narratives. Guest Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carladbass/ To contact Carla: [email protected] Carla Bass -- Write To Influence (Book) https://www.amazon.com/Write-Influence-Appraisals-Scholarships-Internships/dp/0997593024/ From Carla's Blog: https://writetoinfluence.net/articles-and-writing-tips/frame-a-winning-argument/ https://writetoinfluence.net/articles-and-writing-tips/want-to-win-an-argument-strategize-it/ Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Clarice Ritchie, the executive director of Paws for People, back to the show to discuss the success of her recent WagAthon fundraiser and to delve deeper into the significance of pets in our lives. Clarice shares her personal perspective on why pets matter, highlighting the profound joy and unconditional love they bring into our homes. We explore Paws for People's mission as a pet therapy organization and the vital role of fundraising in supporting their training programs and materials for therapy teams. Throughout our conversation, Clarice talks about the importance of ongoing support and training for volunteers, ensuring the effectiveness of therapy visits and the well-being of both humans and animals involved. Guest Links: https://www.pawsforpeople.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarice-ritchie-290b1670/ [email protected] Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation

My good friend Kate Rosenthal, Marketing and Events Manager for PAWS for People joins us today to talk about their Annual WAG and Walkathon. Why do pets matter to Kate? Pets provide unconditional love and bring us joy! In addition to the emotional benefits, interacting with a pet has proven health benefits. PAWS for People enables individuals with their own, gentle, affectionate dogs, cats & bunnies to share those amazing benefits by training them to provide pet therapy to those in need. The 15th Annual WAG & Walkathon is PAWS for People’s signature event. Get ready to "Make Every Step Count" during this year’s month-long, cumulative marathon in partnership with the Kennel Club of Philadelphia's National Dog Show. Join this fabulous group for 30 days of mile-tracking & fun challenges, concluding with the in-person PAWS Furry Fall Festival on Saturday, October 21st at Glasgow Park in Newark, Delaware. To register for or donate to the WAG & Walkathon: https://www.pawsforpeople.org/walkathon/ For volunteers: https://www.pawsforpeople.org/get-involved/ For site/visit requests: https://www.pawsforpeople.org/request-paws/ More About PAWS for People: PAWS for People™ (Pet-Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services, or PAWS) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing therapeutic visits to any person in the community who would benefit from interaction with a well-trained, loving pet. What makes PAWS for People stand above other pet therapy services is the emphasis we place on providing individualized therapeutic experiences for every person we visit. Their strict standards in training and testing dogs, cats, and bunnies ensure every therapy team is capable of meeting the various needs of our diverse clientele. PAWS is most active throughout Delaware, but also serves areas in southern Pennsylvania, northeast Maryland, and southern New Jersey. PAWS visits people of all ages, ethnicities and income levels. PAWS for People is a 501(c)(3). Our Tax ID# is 76-0780197. More About Kate: Kate Rosenthal joined PAWS for People in 2018 in the role of Volunteer & Site Manager for PAWS children's programs and in 2022 accepted the new role of Marketing and Events Manager. She brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience, serving as staff, volunteer, and trustee with several professional associations and schools. In her spare time, Kate enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her husband, two children, and their pups, Maizy and Luka. Connect with Kate and PAWS for People Website - www.pawsforpeople.org Walkathon Event Website - https://secure.frontstream.com/2023walkathon FB: https://facebook.com/PAWSforPeople Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawsforpeople/

I am so excited to introduce everyone to Colonel Carla Bass. Carla is the force behind "Write With Influence." I met her earlier this year during an event hosted by the AKC Legislative Conference. The AKC Legislative Governmental Group brought her in to teach the legislative liaisons how to write more effectively to communicate better with local and national legislators. You are probably asking yourself, "What does this have to do with pets?" What Carla teaches will help us communicate better with our breeders, handlers, veterinarians, and even the other people in our lives. Dean Koontz Quotes: “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.” ― , A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog "The opportunity to love a dog and to treat it with kindness is an opportunity for a lost and selfish heart to be redeemed. They are powerless and innocent, and it is how we treat the humblest among us that surely determines the fate of our souls." "Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer." ========================== Carla empowers others to achieve their goals through persuasive writing. She is an award-winning author, speaker, coach, and adjunct university instructor. Her course, "Catapult Your Career--Write to Influence!" is available on Teachable. com! To contact Carla: [email protected] Resources mentioned during the call: Carla Bass -- Write To Influence (Book) https://www.amazon.com/Write-Influence-Appraisals-Scholarships-Internships/dp/0997593024/ From Carla's Blog: https://writetoinfluence.net/articles-and-writing-tips/frame-a-winning-argument/ https://writetoinfluence.net/articles-and-writing-tips/want-to-win-an-argument-strategize-it/ The Third Side - Why We Fight and How We Can Stop -- Willian Ury https://www.amazon.com/Third-Side-Why-Fight-Stop/dp/0140296344/ Myers-Briggs Framework -- https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/myers-briggs-overview/

I can't wait for you to listen to this podcast with Suzanne Cannon co-founder of VetBilling.com. She has created an amazing service that can help every pet owner figure out a way to pay for their pet's veterinary care. VetBilling's flexible, client-friendly payment solutions allow veterinarian teams to deliver affordable relationship-centered care when a client may have otherwise been forced to make a different choice. Quite frankly, it blows my mind that every veterinary clinic in the country isn't using the VetBilling.com service. So, if your veterinarian isn't offering this as a payment option, we're going to tell you how to get Suzanne's information to them during the show. Why are pets important to Suzanne? In her own words -- Pets are the one way we experience unconditional love while we are alive on Earth. "I have loved animals probably since I took my first breath! Which was interesting to my parents who raised me in Los Angeles, with very few animals around our neighborhood and none in our household. But if animals were around anywhere, I'd find them and befriend them. From the time I was 3, I was obsessed with horses; I rode my first horse at 4; started taking lessons at age 6, and by then I'd gotten my first cat and dog. My connection to animals is not something I can logically explain, but they matter deeply to me as sentient beings who enrich our lives enormously, model unconditional love and acceptance, and call us to be better versions of our human selves. I cannot imagine my life without companion animals in it. I'm also an introvert, and it's often easier for me to feel more comfortable with animals than people. I feel a deep spiritual connection with animals, and I hold them in reverence as sacred beings." More about Suzanne Cannon: Suzanne co-founded VetBilling® in 2014, after a $ 4,000 emergency vet bill awakened her to the realization that too many pet owners lack accessible options for financing the cost of veterinary care. VetBilling’s mission is to keep pets and their families together, by reducing economic euthanasia and surrenders driven by lack of access to the credit and cash reserves necessary for managing unexpected veterinary expenses. Suzanne has presented on the topic of financial access to care for Maddie’s Fund, the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition, Cornell University’s Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship, VetPartners, and the Veterinary Science Technology Program at SUNY-Delhi. She has also created two RACE-approved CE courses on managing client financial constraints in the veterinary clinical setting. Suzanne holds an M.S. in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University of Maryland and an M.A. in Jewish Studies from Baltimore Hebrew University. With a prior professional background in pastoral counseling, Suzanne is passionate about helping veterinarians and pet owners identify financial solutions in a collaborative atmosphere of emotional safety. Suzanne lives on 4 acres in the rolling countryside of Carroll County, Maryland along with her partner in life and in business, Tony Ferraro. Together they share 3 dogs - an Otterhound, Scout; a miniature schnauzer, Finch; and Sophie, a Maltese that was inherited from a relative who recently passed away. Suzanne also owns Chase, a Clydesdale/Thoroughbred cross, who is retired from foxhunting and dressage and now enjoys hacking out on wooded trails as often as possible. Resources Mentioned During The Show: Link to credit article Suzanne mentioned during our conversation: https://vetbilling.com/excellent-credit-score-declined-for-credit-yes-it-happens-to-your-veterinary-clients/ VetBilling Info and Website: https://www.vetbilling.com The business Suzanne co-founded with her partner 10 years ago, VetBilling, is one solution for mitigating the cost barrier to care. VetBilling’s mission is to keep pets and their families together, by reducing economic euthanasia and surrenders driven by lack of access to the credit and cash reserves necessary for managing unexpected veterinary expenses. VetBilling equips veterinary practices with a cloud-based payment management platform that allows veterinarians to confidently offer in-house payment and budgeting plans to the 60% of clients who are ineligible for conventional credit-based financing. Open Door Veterinary Collective: https://www.opendoorconsults.org This nonprofit organization teaches veterinary practices how to sustainably expand access to veterinary care while remaining profitable and financially healthy. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, brief research report: "Payment options: An analysis of 6 years of payment plan data and potential implications for for-profit clinics, non-profit veterinary providers, and funders of access to care initiatives" https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.895532/full Connect with Suzanne and the VetBilling Team: https://www.facebook.com/VetBilling https://www.instagram.com/vetbilling/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ele

Today Dr. Michael Blackwell, DVM from the University of Tennessee joins us for an exceptionally thought-provoking conversation about moving veterinary care into the 21st century, setting appropriate expectations, having a positive perspective and approaching this new era of veterinary medicine with mindfulness and compassion. He believes that pets help us to be better humans by their demonstration of love and compassion. More About Dr. Blackwell: Dr. Michael Blackwell has led a life of public service spanning private practice, government, and academia. This diverse professional journey has enabled him to deeply appreciate the importance of the human-animal bond. Dr. Blackwell currently serves as the Director of the Program for Pet Health Equity in the Center for Behavioral Health Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and as Director at AlignCare Health Inc. His mission is to improve access to veterinary care, especially for families with limited means. Connect with Dr. Blackwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-blackwell-06a6066/ Program for Pet Health Equity: https://pphe.utk.edu/ AlignCare: https://www.aligncarehealth.org/main

Today Rachel Lemcke joins us for a conversation about the important service she provides veterinary teams that saves them time and money by strategically planning and utilizing their lab equipment and services. Rachel is focused on boosting efficiency and profitability in the lab without sacrificing the quality of medicine. To put it very simply, she helps your vet get the information they need for testing products at the best price so they can do more for their team and clients without increasing prices. So, please be sure to share this podcast with them! More about Rachel Lemcke: Rachel is the founder of Amwell Data Services, a full-service independent veterinary laboratory consulting agency. She formed Amwell Data Services to help give veterinarians and their teams more margin, with the larger goal of helping make careers in veterinary medicine more sustainable. Throughout her time as a veterinary Lab Manager, she realized many veterinary practices aren't leveraging their laboratory services as well as they could for overall practice stability and growth. From pricing analysis to equipment and test selection to improving workflow efficiencies, Rachel is dedicated to morphing the veterinary laboratory into a thriving, evolving asset for vets and their teams. For veterinarians looking to learn more, a free discovery call with Rachel is available at https://amwelldataservices.com Connect with Rachel and Amwell Data Services: IG: https://www.instagram.com/amwellds/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/amwellds LinkedIn: Rachel Lemcke & Amwell Data Services LLC https://www.linkedin.com/in/independent-veterinary-laboratory-consultant/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/amwell-data-services-llc/

Today we are talking to Jamie McLaughlin and Dylan Clark about a very special Marine -- Sergeant Reckless - a Korean War Hero. Who was Sgt. Reckless? How did she end up in the US Marine Corps? What were Sgt. Reckless’s accomplishments? How were her accomplishments recognized? How is Sgt. Reckless different from other animals who have served in the military? What veterans’ benefits has Sgt. Reckless earned through her service? Why should Sgt. Reckless be buried in a national cemetery? What cemeteries would be the best options for her? Supporting Project Reckless is a grassroots campaign and we are asking those who support it to sign Dylan Clark’s Change.org petition. Please be sure to share the petition on social media so we can ensure her contributions to our country are never forgotten. Sergeant Reckless wasn’t a horse, she was a MARINE! Resources for our listeners: Change.org petition. Please sign and share on social media: https://www.change.org/p/give-decorated-u-s-war-horse-the-burial-she- deserves/ Online articles about Project Reckless: https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets/news/honoring-the-fallen/petition- seeks-national-cemetery-burial-for-marine-war-horse https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/burial-for-war-horse-sought-at- arlington-national-cemetery/article_b49064b0-da0e-11ed-9d33- 3b17ee8587e8.html Three Pearls Charities Inc. Project Reckless page: https://threepearls.org/projects/project-reckless/ About Jamie McLaughlin: Jamie believes pets matter to themselves. They have unique individual lives. Pets and other animals have wants and needs, likes and dislikes, friends and enemies. The more I learn, the more my view of animals evolves. She is an animal welfare and environmental attorney. She holds a J.D. with a Certificate in Public Interest Law from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois, and an LL.M. in animal law from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. Jamie received her B.A. in anthropology and English from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She has a background in finance and holds a Certified Financial Planner designation. Jamie is a former financial planning franchise owner and served as a personal financial advisor to Silicon Valley professionals for over 17 years where she provided portfolio oversight, wealth management, insurance analysis and financial goal planning. In 2018, Jamie transitioned from her financial planning practice to pursue animal and environmental law. Jamie’s animal law concentrations are animal status, and the impacts of industrial animal agriculture models on the environment, humans and nonhuman animals. She serves as Vice President of the Animal Law Commission Working Group for the Union Internationale des Avocats (International Association of Lawyers) and is pursuing an LL.M in environmental law at Lewis & Clark. Contact Jamie at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-mclaughlin-531313a4/ or [email protected] About Dylan Clark: Dylan believes pets matter because humanity has been dependent upon other species for our development and flourishing throughout time. Our K-9 friends have been our guardians and hunting companions for tens of thousands of years; cats and oxen made early agriculture easier and more productive; horses revolutionized transportation; and pigeons revolutionized communication. Animals matter because without our animal friends, civilization as we know it would not exist. He is the acting Vice President of Operations for Logistical Legal Marketing, LLC. He provides marketing and logistical business advice for multiple law firms across several jurisdictions in the western United States. Dylan was a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, and published a case study titled The Industrial and Environmental Pressures Affecting the Fante-Speaking Artisanal Fishers of Anomabo, Ghana. He served as a USMC tank commander in the 4th Marine Armor Division in Spokane, Washington. Dylan received his J.D. from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. His concentration is the intersection of human rights and the environment, and he is actively working with local Ghanaian groups to address international fisheries abuses that both impact the oceanic environment and diminish the well-being of millions of people who depend on fish stocks as their primary source of protein. About Sergeant Reckless: Sergeant Reckless was a decorated warhorse who served in the Korean War. The Mongolian mare was purchased in 1952 at a racetrack in Seoul, Korea. She was trained to be a pack horse for the 5th Marine Regiment's Anti-Tank Company. During the war, Sergeant Reckless carried ammunition to the front lines and helped rescue wounded soldiers. She carried supplies and ammunition to dangerous outposts and carried wounded soldiers from the battlefield to safety. She often traveled to deliver supplies to the troops on her own, without a handler. Sergeant Reckless was promoted to the rank of Sergeant while still in

Community helping community. My dear friend and pet photographer extraordinaire Mindy Dutka joins us during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" to discuss her recent trip to Mexico. Each day in Mexico, thousands of dogs suffer terrible neglect and abuse simply because they have no home and no one to love them. More than 40,000 homeless dogs roam the streets of Playa del Carmen alone. Even worse, most of these dogs are not fixed, unvaccinated, and suffer from lack of food, lack of shelter, and unimaginable injuries from living on the streets. Vet care is so expensive that when a family dog falls pregnant or ill, oftentimes, that family has no choice but to give the dog up. For many impoverished people, an impossible choice has to be made: to feed yourself or your pet. SOS El Arca, a Playa del Carmen-based nonprofit, has already given thousands of people another option. Hosting free monthly spay-neuter-clinics, the group has sterilized over 6500 beloved pets. Current figures estimate that just 5 years of these monthly clinics would ultimately turn the tide for the region’s animals. These clinics aren’t TNR, where strays are caught, fixed, and left on their own to fend for themselves. This is loving families struggling financially who wait in line for hours to get their pets fixed. This group is committed to sterilizing strays and long-term change, incorporating community education to teach younger generations about compassion and responsible pet ownership. But your help is desperately needed to ensure these life-saving clinics continue! Unfortunately, last year three clinics were cancelled due to a lack of funding, meaning hundreds of dogs could not be fixed. If you'd like to donate to this amazing spay neuter project: SOS el Arca Spay Neuter Campaign | GLOBAL UNITED FOUNDATION (Powered by Donorbox) https://donorbox.org/globalunited SOS El Arca https://soselarca.org/ Learn More about Mindy and her incredible work: Mindy's website: https://dogsimeet.com/ About her trip to Mexico with some the pics she references during our conversation: https://dogsimeet.com/rescue-missions/it-takes-a-village-to-save-a-dog Mindy's Instagram with more pics taken in Carmen del Playa: https://www.instagram.com/dogsimeet/ Mindy's previous episodes on "Why Do Pets Matter?" Episode 174 - Tales of Support https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/mindy-dutka-tales-of-support/ Episode 161 - Introducing Mindy Dutka from "Dogs I Meet" https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/mindy-dutka/ COLLAGE OF PICS FROM SOS EL ARCA

Today we're speaking with Lynn White and Stacey Baum of the Feline Fix - a non-profit organization in Denver, CO. On June 28th, they are holding a free event -- The Friends of the Fix Breakfast -- at The Curtis Ballroom in Greenwood Village. The Feline Fix is an incredible group that works year-round to spay, neuter, and even rehome community cats that can be gentled and adopted. The breakfast is a free, one-hour fundraising event with the goal of inspiring those who would like to get involved as a donor, foster, and/or volunteer. There will be a full, sit-down breakfast, and the 'Kitten Therapy' team will be there to share those amazing babies with everyone. Seriously, who wouldn't want to start their day cuddling a sweet little kitten? EVENT INFO: June 28th Free Event Friends of The Fix Breakfast 7:30-8:30am The Curtis Ballroom 5345 Landmark Place (nextdoor to Comedy Works South) Greenwood Village RSVP @ https://www.thefelinefix.org/ Can't attend, but want to Support The Feline Fix: https://thefelinefix.networkforgood.com/projects/141855-support-our-work The Feline Fix is a nonprofit entity that requires community support and partnership. They believe in education as a way to help end animal suffering. The organization has made a significant, tangible impact on the feline and human lives in Denver and the greater surrounding areas -- approaching 50,000 feline spay/neuter surgeries over the last 20 years. More About Lynn and Stacey: Lynn White has a background in accounting and finance as well as experience in the veterinary industry and the nonprofit sector. She received her BS/MS in Accounting with a specialization in Audit, and held a variety of positions in public, private, and corporate accounting and finance. A life-long animal lover, Lynn went back to school to obtain her Associate degree in Veterinary Technology and worked in a clinic capacity as a Certified Veterinary Technician for a number of years. Wanting to find a position that would combine her passion for animals with her finance experience, she took a job as Director of Finance for a non-profit veterinary hospital. The combination of non-profit animal welfare finance has been the perfect fit for her skills and her career goal to help make the world a better place. Stacey Baum originally began working for The Feline Fix in 2017. At the time, she served as the Development, Marketing & Events Director in charge of fundraising, the Stray Cat Strut, and rebranding the organization. Although she left in 2019 to spend more time with her family, she missed the organization and is very excited to be back! Stacey has been in the animal welfare arena for over 20 years, working in Colorado, Arizona and California. She has been fundraising, handling marketing and communications, and executing events since 2000. Connect With Lynn, Stacey and The Feline Fix: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-white-b75070130/ https://www.facebook.com/felinefix/ https://www.instagram.com/thefelinefix/

As a veterinarian and mentor, Dr. Dani Rabwin believes that pets matter not only for their companionship and unconditional love but also because they serve as a bridge between her and her clients. Through their pets, she can establish a deeper connection with pet owners, fostering trust and building relationships that enable her to provide excellent veterinary care. Furthermore, she offers guidance and support to pet owners, assisting them in navigating the challenges and joys of pet ownership. By emphasizing the significance of this connection with pet owners, Dr. Rabwin teaches new veterinarians in her mentorship program how to excel in their work by cultivating relationships with both pets and their owners. During our conversation, we discussed the importance of communication between veterinarians and their clients, particularly pet owners. We also discuss the value of mentorship for recent veterinary graduates and the importance of being open to learning and receiving guidance as both a veterinarian and a client. Additionally, we explore the support programs available to veterinarians, which aim to prevent burnout. We also touch upon Dani's mentorship program, Ready Vet Go, and how it assists veterinarians in thriving and finding joy in their profession. More About Dr. Rabwin: Dr. Dani Rabwin is a veterinarian, communication coach, and the founder of Ready, Vet, Go, the first veterinary mentorship program of its kind. She graduated from UC Davis in 2004 and completed an internship at Michigan Veterinary Specialists. She feels extremely privileged to be able to help veterinarians thrive in this profession she loves so much. Connect with Dani: https://readyvetgo.co/ https://www.instagram.com/readyvetgo_/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-rabwin-18034b217/ R

During this dynamic conversation with the Honorable Douglas C. Mintz (Ret.) and Gabrielle Hartley, Esq., we'll look at a different perspective on deciding who gets the family pet during a divorce. Doug is the ADR Partner at Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey, based in Stamford, CT. He was a civil trial judge and also a legislator. Gabrielle is an incredible TEDx speaker. She is also an author. Her new book, "The Secret To Getting Along," is coming out in May. She also wrote, "Better Apart." She has created the "Better Apart Total Practice Makeover" to help attornies do better divorce work. And her "Private Divorce Solutions" helps people decide how to divorce better -- including those with pets. Given all of the new legislation that's coming down in California, Alaska, Illinois, New Hampshire, and New York, requiring the judges to find for the best interests of the pet when doing divorce resolution, Judge Mintz and Gabrielle take on that topic during our conversation and handle it in a safe and special way. More About the Hon. Douglas C. Mintz (Ret.) Doug has acted as the mediator in numerous disputes ranging from complex business disputes to product liability. The disputes have included personal injury matters that resulted from motor vehicle accidents and slip and falls. One nine-hour mediation, conducted over Zoom, included 32 participants two of whom were self-represented. Due to all the participants’ patience and perseverance, the dispute came to a successful resolution. Doug has developed and adapted his mediation practice in the age of COVID-19 and found that online dispute resolution is as effective, if not more effective, than in-person mediations. Doug is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and became a Panelist, as an Arbitrator and a Mediator, for the American Arbitration Association. For most of his judicial career, Doug served as the Presiding Judge for Civil Matters in Stamford and Danbury, CT. He regularly encountered truly vexing conflicts in both the legal and emotional dimensions, and developed a unique approach to working those situations that he now brings to his clients. Doug was appointed to the Superior Court in 1993 and served as the Civil Presiding Judge and the Assistant Administrative Judge for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk, and as the Administrative Judge and the Civil Presiding Judge for the Judicial District of Danbury. Prior to his service on the bench, he was a State Representative from Norwalk (1987-1992) and served as the Vice-chair of the Judiciary Committee for most of that time. As a Judge, in 2008, Doug worked collaboratively with the Legislature to craft legislation that created the Foreclosure Mediation Program (the first statewide mediation program in the nation). This Mediation Program was created in response to the mortgage foreclosure crisis of 2007-08 and helped thousands of families retain their homes. From his many years on the Bench, Doug has learnt that deep dedication to the values of human dignity and creative thinking, combined with the rigorous and fair application of factual analysis, almost always clears the way for successful dispute resolution. Doug speaks at legal community virtual events on various topics, including online dispute resolution. Western New England College School of Law, J.D., 1978 The University of Michigan, B.G.S., 1974 More About Gabrielle Hartley: Gabrielle Hartley is co-chair of the American Bar Association Mediation Committee, a nationally recognized divorce attorney, online mediator, TEDx Speaker, and author of "Better Apart: The Radically Positive Way to Separate." Her new book “The Secret to Getting Along and Why It’s Easier Than You Think” will be released this May. She offers a weekly newsletter, The Conflict Code” and hosts The Better Apart Blog and is a frequently quoted media expert in the peaceful divorce realm (The New York Times, Vice, WNYC, Forbes, Psychology Today, etc.) Gabrielle is a former court attorney to NYS Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey Sunshine and has resolved hundreds of high-conflict divorce cases. About Her New Book: The Secret to Getting Along and Why It’s Easier Than You Think Named as a Next Big Idea Club Must Read! Is it possible to get along better? Yes, with 3 simple steps for conflict resolution! Conflict is everywhere―in our homes, at work, on our social media feeds. But conflict isn't inherently bad… in fact, it's a normal and healthy part of human relationships, but many of us aren't good at managing conflict in our everyday lives. In The Secret to Getting Along (And Why it's Easier Than You Think!), attorney Gabrielle Hartley brings more than two decades of divorce mediation experience to helping you learn how to resolve conflict in ways that strengthen your relationships, reflect your values, and lead to positive outcomes for everyone involved. This practical and accessible guide to everyday conflict resolution will help you: Reframe your approach to conflict

Dr. Jessica May from the UK joins us on this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" to talk about Veterinary Telemedicine: the pros and cons of the new telemed guidelines set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the important opportunities telemedicine opens up for veterinarians to provide their clients with dynamic professional care wherever a patient might be. We also talked about how technology can help create better veterinarian-client relationships. More About Dr. Jessica May, MRCVS Jessica has worked in mixed and equine practices, both in the United Kingdom and in Hong Kong. Between 2019 and 2022, Jessica joined an independent telehealth company to launch their pioneering service in the UK before joining PetsApp in 2023. Jessica has a strong interest in innovation and how digital health can benefit pets, veterinary professionals, and businesses. Jessica qualified as a vet from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012. Connect with Jessica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamay2/ https://petsapp.com/

I'm excited to have Attorney Jennifer Amundsen join us on this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?". Jennifer is an expert in contract law and is here to discuss a topic that's important for all breeders, co-owners, and owners: breeder contracts. She also breeds and shows Clumber Spaniels. If you're a breeder, you know that a well-drafted breeder contract can help protect your interests and ensure your puppies go to good homes. If you're a co-owner or buyer, you need to understand exactly what your breeder's contract requires of you. Jennifer will be sharing her insights on what should be included in these contracts. And that's not all! Jennifer will also give us tips on communicating with new owners. As a breeder, you want to ensure your puppies go to a loving and responsible home. Jennifer will be sharing her advice on how to have these important conversations with new owners in an educational and approachable way. We'll also be discussing how new owners should speak with their breeders and what to do if things don't go as planned. So, if you're a breeder, in a co-ownership contract with a breeder, or considering purchasing an animal from a breeder, you won't want to miss this episode. Let's dive in! More About Jennifer Amundsen, Esq. Jennifer has nearly 20 years of experience in the legal and intellectual property industries and nearly 13 years of experience as a lawyer. She represents information technology businesses, authors, independent film and video production companies, theater companies, software developers and other brand and creative content owners, with an emphasis on the implications of emerging technologies, the Internet and social media. She helps clients to identify, protect and leverage their intellectual property assets, such as trademarks and copyrights, and to avoid conflicts with third-party intellectual property assets. She also counsels clients regarding day-to-day business and legal matters, including a variety of contract matters. Jennifer has also developed a niche in the areas of canine and equine law, where she advises owners and breeders of companion animals (primarily dogs) and horses on issues pertaining to their hobbies and businesses. She has represented dog clubs and equine groups and is a frequent speaker on legal topics pertaining to animal ownership. Jennifer graduated in 2003 from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She is a State Bar of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs SouthCentral, Inc member. She is also a member of Badger Kennel Club (past Director), the Clumber Spaniel Club of America (past Secretary), and the Fox River Field Spaniel Club. She is a founding director and current President of the Board of Directors of the Clumber Spaniel Health Foundation, Inc. and also serves on the board of the Friends of Madison Mounted Horse Patrol. She enjoys spending time with her husband, training and showing their dogs, and riding her horse. Connect with Jennifer: https://amundsenlaw.com/about-us.html https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlamundsen https://twitter.com/jlamundsen https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amundsen-Law-Firm-LLC/500920289945750

Iris Grimm is a leadership coach and trainer for humans and dogs alike. During today's conversation, we talk about how dogs can help us become better leaders. Iris believes dogs can be our greatest teachers when we listen to them. She speaks from experience. For 22 years, Iris has trained not only her own seven dogs but also fostered and trained many others. Mentioned During The Show: Iris' TEDx Alexander Park Talk https://youtu.be/5FTh_d9z5jM Dog-Gone Leadership https://irisgrimm.com/services/dgl/ More About Iris As a business owner in the leadership development space, Iris makes it her mission to raise awareness of the impact that dogs can have on us. She encourages dog adoptions to improve an individual’s life and leadership performance. When she isn’t working, you will find Iris hiking with her dogs in the North Georgia mountains. Her Dog-Gone Leadership program is a practical and novel professional development program where she draws parallels between dog leadership and human leadership. This program is ideal for dog-friendly workplaces, animal advocacy groups, and organizations that appreciate transforming leadership with, from, and for dogs. Connect with Iris Website: https://irisgrimm.com/ Phone: 404-441-5370

Today we're speaking with Elizabeth Stutz. She's an attorney colleague of mine in Virginia. We've had several discussions about microchips, their benefits, and drawbacks. Microchips are only as good as the information that's on them and the scanning that's done. We're also talking about some of the vagaries of whether or not everyone scans for them. Pets are important to Elizabeth because having a pet can help us expand our understanding of selflessness, unconditional love, partnership, compassion, passion, joy & empathy. Pets remind us that we are not alone and that the world is greater than ourselves. When it comes to microchipping your pets, Elizabeth believes that: The pet parent is responsible for protecting the pet with proper licensure & identification. The pet parent's responsibility to update microchip information in the event of a move or transfer of ownership & failure to comply makes microchip IDs only part of the "puzzle" & not the definitive answer -- meaning veterinary professionals should not solely rely upon the microchip. Communication and cooperation between government animal control and private shelters and welfare organizations is essential to ensure lost pets are returned to their pet parent(s). Mentioned During The Show: American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-microchip-lookup/microchip-search/ More About Elizabeth Stutts: The law practice of Elizabeth (EB) Butterworth Stutts focuses on veterinary healthcare, including licensure, televet services and the development, approval and regulation by FDA of veterinary medicines, supplements and medical devices. A lifelong pet owner and horseman, she lives in Maidens, VA on a horse boarding farm, where she has bred, raised, rescued, trained and competed her own horses and provided "lay-up" care for injured horses, under veterinary supervision. In addition to having 2 teenage boys and a fiancé, she is currently the "pet parent" of 2 dogs, a cat, a donkey, 5 horses and 2 chickens, and these numbers are always subject to additions! She is passionate about helping veterinarians and others in the animal industry avoid future problems by having appropriately drafted contracts and documents from the outset. "Money spent drafting solid documents will always be a fraction of that spent litigating a poorly drafted contract." Connect with Elizabeth: Website: www.elizabethbutterworthstuttsesq.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/elizabethbstutts

Dogs are a great source of comfort and guidance to people struggling. Dr. Renee Alsarraf joins us to discuss her new book "Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well." The book teaches us about the enormous power the human-animal bond plays in our world. Each chapter is about a different patient of Dr. Alsarraf's, each with his or her own life lessons to impart. In the book, Dr. Alsarraf shares what those families and she learned from dogs. The book is a front-row seat to what life is like as a veterinarian, and to the struggles many of us face and how we survive and come out stronger. Mentioned During The Show: Book: Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well https://www.amazon.com/Sit-Stay-Heal-Teach-Living/dp/0063215225/ More About Dr. Alsarraf: Dr. Renee Alsarraf received her veterinary medical degree in 1991 from Michigan State University. While there, she established the University’s Pet Loss Support Group. Dr. Alsarraf completed a rotating internship and medical oncology residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering in a tissue culture lab. Dr. Alsarraf has performed numerous veterinary clinical trials, co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles, and has lectured locally and nationally. Dr. Alsarraf has created 4 different veterinary oncology practices as well as created and led 3 veterinary radiation facilities. Currently, Dr. Alsarraf works as a consultant for a national veterinary radiation therapy company and does medical oncology consults. She enjoys giving back to the community by lecturing to schools grades K-8, is a mentor to Michigan State University Veterinary School students, structured and offered internships for high school, college, and veterinary students, created a literacy program for a Newark elementary public school, is on the Cooperman’s Scholars Committee reviewing applications for underprivileged high school students to receive scholarships and support, headed a local community outreach for years for the underprivileged (tutoring, food drives, coat drives, book drives, blood drives), was on the executive committee for a local Boy Scouts of America chapter and was an active Merit Badge counselor and presently is on the University of Rochester Parents’ Outreach Committee. Dr. Alsarraf used to compete in obedience trials with her boxers. In her free time, she enjoys hunting for antiques, cooking, gardening, and listening to her son play the piano in her free time. Connect with Dr. Alsarraf: Website: https://www.sitstayhealbook.com/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sit-Stay-Heal-Teach-Living/dp/0063215225/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneealsarraf/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-alsarraf-8a939231/

Domestic violence can be an incredibly difficult and isolating experience, and it can be even harder for pet owners who may be afraid to leave their beloved pets behind. Did you know that there are resources available to help keep both pets and their owners safe? During this segment of "Why Do Pets Matter?", my dear friend Elizabeth Cronin, Director of the New York State Office of Victim Services, will be discussing some of the organizations and programs that provide support and resources for pet owners in domestic violence situations. Resources Mentioned During The Show Urban Resource Institute https://urinyc.org/ PALS Program (People and Animals Living Safely) https://urinyc.org/uripals/ WILLOW Domestic Violence Center https://willowcenterny.org/ More About Elizabeth Elizabeth Cronin is Director of the New York State Office of Victim Services. She was appointed in 2013 by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Previously, she was the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In that capacity, she was responsible for the operation of the Staff Attorney’s Office and Office of Staff Counsel (Circuit Mediation) and overseeing all of the legal work produced by the Office. In addition, Elizabeth is a published author and frequent public speaker on legal and administrative topics, including prosecuting domestic violence cases, immigration law, and evidence, among others. She served on a number of advisory groups, including for the Administrative Office for the U.S. Courts. She is a past president of the National Association of Appellate Court Attorneys. She also was an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice and Sociology Department at Pace University and taught classes to graduate and undergraduate students in the subjects of domestic violence, criminal justice, criminal law, and law enforcement ethics. She also holds two certifications in coaching. Connect with Elizabeth https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-cronin-b1b505a/

Dawn Secord is our special guest today. She's an award-winning author, artist, and illustrator whose love for animals shines through in everything she does. Dawn is passionate about sharing her love of animals with children. And through her educational children's book series, she's bringing back the old-time values of reading actual books and spending quality family time together. Why do pets matter to Dawn? In her own words: "Pets matter on so many levels. They are companions, comforters, protectors, and our family members. My husband loves to say that our pets are a window into what heaven will be - unconditional love. My pets as companions allow me always to feel not alone. Even when surrounded by other people, we can still be alone. When I'm sad or happy, my pets react to my emotions. They celebrate with joy when I am happy, and if I'm unhappy, they become my comforters. It is amazing how much pets comfort us when we need it most. They protect us. Dogs bark and are considered by many sources to be a great crime deterrent. I have a cat that growls when she sees someone approaching the front door. Years ago, I read of a macaw (parrot) that attacked an intruder and saved its owner. Pets are my family members. With all they do for me, how could they be any less than a family member? Their love for me is unconditional, and my love for them is just as strong." I can't wait for you to hear all about Dawn's amazing new children's book -- "No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here." Get The Book Amazon No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here: https://www.amazon.com/No-Ghoulish-Green-Monsters-Here/dp/1734003901/ Bling's Website https://www.adogbling.com/awards-reviews About Dawn Secord Dawn is a professional author, artist, and illustrator. She has won numerous art competitions, juried into museum and international exhibitions, and been featured in numerous magazine articles and magazine covers. She had a pet-sitting business for 22 years and was named Pet Sitter of the Year by Pet Sitters International. She is currently working on the next book in her children's picture book series - A Dog Bling. Connect with Dawn and Bling https://www.facebook.com/adogbling/ https://www.facebook.com/dawnsecordart https://www.adogbling.blogspot.com https://www.artofthedog.blogspot.com https://twitter.com/DawnSecord https://www.instagram.com/dawn_secord https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-secord-250108b3

Becky Shuttle worth is a canine communicator. She takes those really hard-to-place dogs and helps them live a better life by either staying with her or fostering them until they are ready to be rehomed. She also works one on one with dog owners who are having aggression or anxiety issues with their pets. In this podcast, she shares some great insights into understanding and managing the things that trigger a dog's "naughty" behavior. She discusses her holistic approach to getting to the root cause of the issue and how to support an animal through it. More About Becky: Becky Shuttleworth communicates with dogs. She left a career in 'behavior" and moved into animal communication, where she now helps dog owners understand what their dogs really want and need. She provides the link for better communication between dogs and humans. Connect with Becky: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becky.shuttleworth.52 Email: [email protected]

If you're a veterinary professional looking to improve your communication skills and overall job satisfaction, or if you're a pet owner interested in learning how to build a better relationship with your pet's healthcare team, this episode is meant for you. Pet owners know how important it is to have a strong and trusting relationship with their pets' healthcare providers. This relationship not only ensures the best possible care for our animals, it also helps us to better understand what that care truly entails. In this episode, Dr. Peter Veinstein and I explore how veterinary teams can create meaningful relationships with their clients through effective communication and collaboration. We also discuss the benefits of a relationship-based approach, such as increased client satisfaction, improved pet health outcomes, and better job satisfaction for veterinary professionals. More About Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA As the owner of PAW Consulting and president of Simple Solutions for Vets, Dr. Peter Weinstein provides business consulting services to veterinary practices nationwide. He speaks and writes extensively on practice management, team building, leadership, collegiality, marketing, and other topics focused on improving veterinary practices. Most recently, he co-authored with Michael E. Gerber “The E-Myth Veterinarian - Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It”. Dr. Weinstein is executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA), and a past president of both that association and the California Veterinary Medical Association. He also served as president of VetPartners, a nonprofit association for veterinary business specialists. After receiving his DVM degree from the University of Illinois, Dr. Weinstein earned his MBA from the University of Redlands while managing his own practice and practicing veterinary medicine full time. As a result of his business acumen and financial success, he was able to expand and ultimately sell his practice to a corporate consolidator. Since then, and for more than 20 years, he has been providing small business and corporate consulting services to veterinary practice clients around the United States. Connect with Dr. Weinstein https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawdr/ https://simplesolutionsforvets.com/

Integrative Veterinary Medicine and The Benefits of Real Mushrooms for Pet Health Integrative Veterinary Medicine and The Benefits of Real Mushrooms for Pet Health Have you heard of integrative medicine for pets? It's a holistic approach to pet healthcare that combines conventional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, supplements and nutrition. One complementary modality that has been gaining popularity in recent years is the use of mushrooms for pets. Mushrooms have been found to have numerous health benefits for pets, including boosting their immune systems, reducing inflammation, and even potentially fighting cancer. If you're interested in learning more about incorporating mushrooms into your pet's diet, listen to this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?". Dr. Rob Silver, DVM, Joni Kamlet and I are talking about integrative veterinary medicine and the benefits of giving your pet real mushrooms to help support their health and well-being. More About Dr. Silver: Dr. Rob Silver was raised in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. He attended Columbia University and earned a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, a Master's Degree in Cardiopulmonary Physiology, and his DVM from Colorado State University. After graduation, he worked as a relief veterinarian in the Denver, Colorado area and taught in a veterinary technician program as well. After relocating to Colorado Springs, Colorado to work in an Emergency Practice, he started a House Call practice that evolved into a brick and mortar practice. He started prescribing his patients home cooked diets and herbal medicines. He was certified by IVAS in 1993 and began teaching Chinese Herbal Medicine courses with Jake Fratkin and Dr. Shen Xie. That same year he also relocated to Boulder, Colorado, opening a new practice, Boulder's Natural Animal. In 1994 Dr. Silver became the Chief Medical Officer for Rx Vitamins, where he formulated 40 products for the veterinary market. He sold his practice in 2013 and the next year launched the Well Pet Dispensary website, which is still in operation. He also served as Chief Veterinary Officer for Folium Biosciences, a vertically integrated Hemp Company. In 2015 Dr. Silver published the ground-breaking text "Medical Marijuana and Your Pet," which has served as a guide to both veterinarians and animal caretakers alike since it was published. Dr. Silver has served as a Board Member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and the President of both the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association and the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at both Lincoln Memorial and Chi University. He is enjoying his new position as the Chief Veterinary Officer for Real Mushrooms. Learn More About Real Mushrooms: Website: https://RealMusrooms.com Facebook Group and Monthly Live Q & A https://www.facebook.com/groups/1699109103787660 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_mushrooms/

As pet owners, we want the best care for our furry friends, and good communication with our veterinarian is essential to achieving that goal. In this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" Dr. Deborah Thompson, DVM and I discuss the challenges faced by both veterinarians and pet owners in communicating effectively and offer some practical tips to help improve the dialogue between them. We'll also explore the benefits of better communication, including improved pet health outcomes, increased client satisfaction, and stronger relationships between veterinarians and their clients. So, whether you're a veterinarian or a pet owner, join us as we explore how to improve communication and promote the best possible care for our beloved pets. More About Deborah Thompson, DVM Dr. Deborah Thomson is a veterinarian and One Health expert who started teaching in 2001. Since then, she has served as a Science Policy Advisor in the United States Senate; has founded and led a global organization that inspires children and adults to value the interconnection between human health and the health of the environment, plants, and animals (called One Health Lessons); has practiced clinical veterinary medicine in emergency departments, animal shelters, and general practices; has taught thousands of children about One Health; has worked as a One Health Expert Consultant in multiple global nongovernmental organizations and universities including the One Health Institute at the University of California–Davis; has served as an external member of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s One Health Work Group; has created internationally-acclaimed science lessons that are being translated into over eighty languages; has been running a Science Communication Training program with over 800 global participants; and is currently the Chair of the World Veterinary Association’s One Health Education Subgroup and ad-hoc member of its One Health Subject Focus Group. In addition, she has won multiple public speaking competitions, has spoken in over a dozen countries, and has most notably been an invited speaker at events associated with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Global Health Security Agenda, the US Agency for International Development, the US Department of Agriculture, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the World Veterinary Association, and the One Health Action Collaborative, an ad hoc activity associated with the Forum on Microbial Threats at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Dr. Thomson has been recognized as a Global Goodwill Ambassador, a distinction reserved for humanitarians, as well as an Impact Leader and an Excellence in STEM Inspiration Honoree. Her articles have been printed in multiple publications, including The Lancet Planetary Health. Aside from writing and working on these worthy projects, she enjoys playing music, traveling, learning languages, and being outdoors. She lives in the Washington, DC area. Resources Mentioned During The Show: Dr. Thompson's Book: The Art of Science Communication: Sharing Knowledge with Students, the Public, and Policymakers Connect with Dr. Thompson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahthomsondvm/

Have you ever wondered how you can help your pet transition more easily to a new home, recover more quickly from surgery without using prescription medications, or even as they near the end of their life? If so, this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" is for you! Essential Oils expert, Jan Jeremias, is speaking with us about using Essential Oils and other holistic healing modalities to help support the health and well-being of our animals. More About Jan: Jan Jeremias, MSc., DTM, RYT, CR, is a trained clinical research scientist and an expert in the usage of essential oils. She is a wellness counselor for pets and the co-author of the top-selling aromatherapy book for pets: SpOIL Your Pet: A Practical Guide to Using Essential Oils in Dogs and Cats. Jan is also an energy and Reiki practitioner for pets and their humans. Resources Mentioned During the Show: Jan's Website: https://janjeremias.com Jan's Book: https://www.aromatools.com/spoil-your-pet-3rd-edition.html Connect with Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-jeremias-88b08120a/ https://www.facebook.com/jan.jeremias.3/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1640185769638355/ (Pet People Life and Longevity -- Private Facebook Group

Carolyn Shadle, the CEO and resident guru of Interpersonl Communication Services, Inc., returns to "Why Do Pets Matter?" to discuss how veterinarians are communicating with their clients post-COVID and what might be helpful in improving those interactions. We also touched on telemedicine, the human-animal bond, how shelters are shifting to help people keep their animals while returning to work and so much more... Carolyn's previous podcasts on "Why Do Pets Matter?" https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/carolyn-shadle/ https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/carolyn-shadle-ep-119/ More About Carolyn Shadle Carolyn C. Shadle is the CEO of Interpersonal Communication Services. Carolyn has spent most of her life equipping adults with the skills and tools to build effective organizations, a sustainable environment, and healthy relationships. She has written numerous publications, hosted a TV interview show, and offered training in communication, planning, and change for corporate, public and non-profit audiences, as well as for parents and grandparents. She has had the privilege of traveling widely, offering training overseas as well as throughout the USA. Through ICS, Inc. she provides services that facilitate a fulfilling life. Carolyn is retired from university-based adult and continuing education, where she led and administered leadership development, business and finance management, and “soft skills” (the hardest). During her university career, she held administrative positions at California State University, Long Beach, and San Jose; the University of Denver College of Business; and the State University of New York (Buffalo and Empire State College). Find out more: http://icsinc.info/about-us-communication-services/ Connect With Carolyn: www.ICSinc.info www.VeterinarianCommunication.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ICSVetCommunication LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CarolynShadle

Why do pets matter to Chris Roy, Founder of Doobert.com? "Each pet has an individual personality and is uniquely different from other animals showing just how sentient they are. They matter to me because of this consciousness, awareness, and ability to love, grieve and experience joy and sorrow just like humans. They communicate to us in their own ways, and we embrace their love and grieve their loss when they are gone. They are more than pets, they are family." Chris just launched an online store called Doobert Forward, where you can shop for your pet's food, treats, and other supplies while helping your favorite rescues at the same time. A percentage of every sale is donated to the non-profit animal wellness organization of your choice! It’s easy to do, and it won't cost you a thing. While similar to Amazon Smile, Doobert donates 5% of your purchase to the organization(s) of your choice. That's substantially more than Amazon Smile gives. The store has many different products, and they're adding more distributors and products all the time! If your preferred rescue or shelter isn't listed, be sure to let them know about the store and tell them to go to Doobert.com to apply to become a partner so they can benefit from the shop or one of the other services that doobert.com offers free of charge. Chris' previous podcasts on "Why Do Pets Matter?" https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/chris-roy-doobert/ https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/chris-roy/ Become a Dooberteer! Join the tribe of Dooberteers and help save the lives of animals in your community. https://www.doobert.com/doobert-volunteers-2/ Shop the Doobert Forward store & 5% of your purchase goes to the animal rescue YOU choose. https://shop.doobert.com/ Register your organization with Doobert! Access Doobert's network of volunteers, partner organizations, and growing animal rescue tools! https://www.doobert.com/app/org-signup Learn More About Chris: Chris is a technology guy in his "day" job and used his experience to create Doobert.com, which is an online software platform custom-built for animal rescuers. It's like a combination of Match.com specifically for animal shelters and rescues to find new partners, and then a volunteer Uber for getting the animals where they need to go. Chris enjoys helping provide technology solutions to some of the biggest challenges in animal rescue and is always looking for new ways to help animals and the people that care for them. Chris is supported by his amazing wife Daphne, and together they have 5 furkids: 4 cats and 1 dog. You can connect with Chris at: [email protected] www.doobert.com fb.com/doobertrescue ig.com/doobert Twitter: @doobert

My dear friend Valarie Adams returns to this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" to continue a wonderful chat about grief and mourning the loss of our beloved pets, addressing grief and listening deeply to others who are grieving, and the role good communication plays during emotionally charged end-of-life conversations between vets and owners. About Valarie Adams: Valarie Adams is a CVT with over 40 years working in veterinary medicine. Graduating from the Medical Institute of Minnesota in 1973 puts her in the “aged but still useful” class. Her background in veterinary medicine has taken her from working with large and small animal emergency/critical care to delivering in-home veterinary hospice and palliative care. Valarie has lectured and written on death and dying and the human-animal bond. She fills her soul with her horses, volunteering veterinary care on a Native American reservation and gathering with groups of wise women. Connect with Valarie: Website: https://confidesinanimals.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valarie-adams-a1806775/

During this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" Professor Delcianna Winders speaks with us about the incredible work she is doing in the world of animal advocacy and animal law. Pets matter because they are sentient beings — and other animals, including billions of animals suffering on factory farms with inadequate legal protections, matter for the same reason. Human, animal, and environmental interests are intertwined. The Animal Law and Policy Institute is training future leaders in animal advocacy while centering animals in the fight for environmental protection About Delci Winders: Professor Delcianna (Delci) Winders is the founding director of Vermont Law School’s Animal Law and Policy Institute, which trains future leaders in animal advocacy while centering animals in the fight for environmental protection. Prior to joining the VLS faculty, Winders was on the faculty of Lewis & Clark Law School, where she directed the world’s first law school clinic dedicated to farmed animal advocacy. She previously served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at the PETA Foundation, the first Academic Fellow of the Harvard Animal Law & Policy Program, and a visiting scholar at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Winders has also taught animal law at Tulane University School of Law and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Resources Vermont Law School Animal Law and Policy Institute https://www.vermontlaw.edu/academics/centers-and-programs/animal-law-policy-institute Connect with Delci: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delcianna-winders-3a601211/ https://twitter.com/DelciannaW

Better Dog Behavior Now -- “We help dogs by training people.” Doug Poynter from BetterDogBehaviorNow.com joins us for a conversation about the things you can do with your dog to raise consciousness for both of you. This helps both of you have a much better relationship with one another. Plus we're discussing the things you are (inadvertently) doing that are creating your dog's behavior issues. About Doug and Better Dog Behavior Now Better Dog Behavior Now is the go-to dog training service when no one else can fix your dog training problems. They’ve been in business for more than 20 years helping dog owners understand their canine family members. Your behavior often reinforces your pet’s behavioral problems. Becoming aware of problematic behavior is the first step. Doug eases your mind by showing you the causes of your dog’s behavior problems. As a result, the relationship between you and your dog becomes balanced and a lot more enjoyable. Many national dog training services use only one method. Better Dog Behavior Now is not limited to one type of training style. Doug has created solutions to countless behavioral problems. The solutions are based on respect for the dog, their psychology, and motivation. They are easy to understand and implement. Working together, Doug and his clients achieve positive results. Connect with Doug: Better Dog Behavior Now (Website) https://betterdogbehaviornow.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/betterdogsnow/

During this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" I'm speaking with my dear friend, Valarie Adams. Such a wonderful chat about grief and mourning the loss of our beloved pets -- how to address grief and how to listen to others who are grieving without giving your opinions about grief. We also had a deeply heartfelt conversation about palliative care and hospice. Links Mentioned During The Show: Elizabeth Kubler Ross: https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.grief.html Alan Wolfelt: https://www.taps.org/globalassets/pdf/covid/tenets-of-companioning About Valarie Adams: Valarie Adams is a CVT with over 40 years working in veterinary medicine. Graduating from the Medical Institute of Minnesota in 1973 puts her in the “aged but still useful” class. Her background in veterinary medicine has taken her from working with large and small animal emergency/critical care to delivering in-home veterinary hospice and palliative care. Valarie has lectured and written on death and dying and the human-animal bond. She fills her soul with her horses, volunteering veterinary care on a Native American reservation and gathering with groups of wise women. Connect with Valarie: Website: https://confidesinanimals.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valarie-adams-a1806775/

Barbara Gislason is a true pioneer in the area of pet law. She is the one who put it on the books as a practice area first in Minnesota and then has gone on to create international awareness and programs advocating for animals and their welfare. Barbara joins us again during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" to discuss international and local animal law, divorcing with pets, "dangerous" dog deaths, and how animal law now is cross-pollinating with other areas of the law to work together to establish requirements and laws to protect our beloved animals post-COVID. Podcast Episodes Mentioned During The Interview: Barbara Gislason - Animal Law Pioneer and The Soul of Animals https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/barbara-gislason/ Jeff Nicol, DVM “Your Pet’s Behavior Matters” https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/jeff-nicol-dvm-your-pets-behavior-matters-on-why-do-pets-matter-with-debra-hamilton-141/ Karis Nafte - Pet Custody Specialist - Why Do Pets Matter During A Divorce? https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/karis-nafte-pets-divorce/ Karis Nafte - The Pet Custody Consultant https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/karis-nafte/ Cathy Madson - Transitioning Back To Work with Pandemic Puppies https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/cathy-madson-pandemic-puppies/ Cathy Madson - Certified Behavior Consultant / Professional Dog Trainer PreventiveVet.com https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/cathy-madson/ Cathy Madson “How to Teach Your Dog to Be Alone” https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/kathy-madson-how-to-teach-your-dog-to-be-alone-on-why-do-pets-matter-with-debra-hamilton-esq-podcast-108/ About Barbara Gislason Barbara J. Gislason is recognized nationwide and globally as an animal law pioneer and visionary. Her groundbreaking work has included the creation of animal law committees in both national and state lawyer bar associations, and the drafting and passing of laws, model laws, and guidelines pertaining to animals. Following Hurricane Katrina, Barbara founded and led the American Bar Association (ABA) Animal Disaster Relief Network, which included participants from more than 70 nonprofits, law schools, and businesses. She wrote regularly published reports and created and convened the ABA-TIPS Select Legal Panel on Emergency Management Regarding Animals. You can learn more about Barbara on her website: https://www.gislason-law.com/ You can get her ground-breaking book on Amazon, "Pet Law and Custody: Establishing a Worthy and Equitable Jurisprudence for the Evolving Family" https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Law-Custody-Establishing-Jurisprudence/dp/1634258924/

Chris Roy joins us during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter" to talk to us about some possible collaborative, rather than judgemental, solutions to help people avoid permanently surrendering their pets while they search for pet-friendly housing and other pet care solutions amidst the increase in "pandemic puppies" being surrendered to shelters since the eviction moratorium has been lifted, job losses continue and people return to work. Chris' First Interview on "Why Do Pets Matter?" https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/chris-roy-doobert/ Learn More About Chris: Chris is a technology guy in his "day" job and used his experience to create Doobert.com which is an online software platform custom-built for animal rescuers. It's like a combination of Match.com specifically for animal shelters and rescues to find new partners, and then a volunteer Uber for getting the animals where they need to go. Chris enjoys helping provide technology solutions to some of the biggest challenges in animal rescue and is always looking for new ways to help animals and the people that care for them. Chris is supported by his amazing wife Daphne, and together they have 5 furkids: 4 cats and 1 dog. You can connect with Chris at: [email protected] www.doobert.com www.fosterspace.com fb.com/doobertrescue ig.com/doobert Twitter: @doobert

Bestselling author of "Excellence Beyond Compliance" James Gesualdi is speaking with us again, this time we're taking a deeper dive into his "Principles of Constructive Engagement" and the "Enlightened Caregivers Creed." You can listen to his first interview right here: https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/introducing-the-show-why-do-pets-matter-podcast-100/ Animals matter, they are living beings that share the planet with us. Pets are an integral part of our lives, our homes, and our families. Jim's work is featured in his monthly column "Getting Better All The Time" on the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy website. https://sdzwaacademy.org/ About James Gesualdi James F. Gesualdi has been “lawyering from the heart” on animal welfare and wildlife conservation-related matters for a quarter of a century. He is dedicated to “making a difference for animals and people” through collaboration and by building consensus in constructive and innovative ways. Jim has a B.A., magna cum laude, with highest honors in Government by the St. Lawrence University; an M.A., in Political Science by the State University of New York at Stony Brook; and a J.D. with Distinction by the Hofstra University School of Law. He was also a recipient of both the Animals and the Law’s Exemplary Service Award in 2018 and Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award in 2019. James Gesualdi's Book: https://ExcellenceBeyondCompliance.com

Dr. Kathleen Cooney joins us for a powerful conversation about end-of-life care for your beloved companion animals during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" She talks about how to communicate with your veterinarian -- what to expect and explore when it comes to hospice care, treatment options, and the different types of euthanasia options available. She also discusses why talking about and pre-planning end-of-life care is an important part of pet ownership. More About Kathleen Cooney DVM, MS, CHPV, CCFP Since 2006, Kathleen's focus has been the advancement of quality end-of-life care for companion animals, and more recently, on animal welfare and the ethical approaches to pet aftercare. In 2006, she founded (but no longer owns) the company Home to Heaven in Loveland, Colorado, where she honed skills to support patients and clients. She is a past-President of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC). Through her consulting work, her mission is to provide end-of-life care training to veterinary team providers and raise awareness for this field. Dr. Cooney has collaborated in euthanasia training for the AVMA, AAHA, IAAHPC, HABRI, the Fear Free program, and is Founder and Director of Education for the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA). Kathleen is a well-known leader in the animal hospice movement and in the art of beautiful euthanasia experiences through the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA). She is a strong advocate for best practices in all aspects of end-of-life care and speaks nationally and internationally on such topics. Kathleen is working towards board certification in animal welfare and is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Provider. Learn more about Dr. Cooney's incredible work: https://caetainternational.com/about/our-team/ http://kathleencooneydvm.com/ Connect with Kathleen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleencooneydvm/ [email protected]

Melissa Supernor, Founder of EDAVT (Educational Advocates for the Veterinary Team) and good friend of "Why Do Pets Matter?" joins us again to discuss how journaling helps her gain a deeper understanding of what's going on and how listening for understanding and accepting that people have different perspectives and perceptions has helped her do her work in the veterinary industry. More About Melissa Supernor Melissa J. Supernor is founder and president of Educational Advocate for the Veterinary Team (EdAVT). You can learn more on her website: https://www.edavtheals.com/about Here's the link to Part One of Melissa's interview: https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/melissa-supernor-part1/ You can listen to her pre-pandemic interview right here: https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/melissa-supernor-on-why-do-pets-matter-with-debra-hamilton-podcast/

Melissa Supernor, Founder of EDAVT (Educational Advocates for the Veterinary Team) and good friend of "Why Do Pets Matter?" joins us again for an indepth conversation about how veterinarians and their teams have survived the pandemic while providing client services. More About Melissa Supernor Melissa J. Supernor is founder and president of Educational Advocate for the Veterinary Team (EdAVT). You can learn more on her website: https://www.edavtheals.com/about You can listen to her pre-pandemic WDPM interview right here: https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/melissa-supernor-on-why-do-pets-matter-with-debra-hamilton-podcast/

Dr. Chris Blazina and I had a fascinating conversation about the psychological role companion animals play in our lives -- especially men's lives -- during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" Through his work, Chris has found that our pets take on the role of "unwavering friend and constant companion" during our lives. And, this is particularly true for men -- especially later in life -- as their network of friends diminishes. Societal norms can sometimes make it difficult for men to become vulnerable and feel comfortable expressing how vital their pets are to them. Kudos to all the "Macho Men" and their "Teacup Pups"! This gives ample evidence of the emotional intelligence that is cultivated by owning a pet! About Dr. Chris Blazina Dr. Chris Blazina is a licensed psychologist, retired professor, and award-winning author. He has been in practice for nearly 25 years, focusing on men and their depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief & loss, relationship problems, and pet bereavement. In his work, Chris has found dogs to be an important companion and part of a male's life that cannot be found in the same way as with any human. Connect With Chris: Website - http://www.chrisblazinaphd.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrChrisBlazina Books: When Man Meets Dog: What a difference a dog makes! on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/When-Man-Meets-Chris-Blazina/dp/1845848799/ Men and Their Dogs: A New Understanding of Man's Best Friend on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Men-Their-Dogs-Understanding-Friend/dp/3319300954/ Clinician's Guide to Treating Companion Animal Issues: Addressing Human-Animal Interaction on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/012812962X The Psychology of the Human-Animal Bond: A Resource for Clinicians and Researchers on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/The-Psychology-Human-Animal-Bond-Researchers/dp/1461461960

Kent Kruse, DVM joins us for a "don't miss" episode of "Why Do Pets Matter". Kent is a retired small animal veterinarian, management software creator for the veterinary industry, and an authority on pet insurance. We're talking about the human-animal bond and why pet insurance is so important for your pet and you. Kent explains the different kinds of pet insurance, how to shop for the best pet insurance policy for you and your pet, and what to expect when you use your pet's insurance at the vet. He also talks about how vets can help their human clients understand the value of pet insurance and some ways to effectively recommend pet insurance to their clients. About Kent Kruse, DVM As a former practicing veterinarian, Kent recognizes that veterinarians are often stymied both ethically and economically by their client's inability to pay for required medical care because of the lack of the necessary discretionary cash. Because of the lack of funds, pets are too often euthanized, the human-animal bond ruptured, and revenue opportunities are lost. For the past 19 years, it has been Kent's passion to help veterinarians understand the value of pet health insurance, and to advise them how to evaluate available products to recommend to their clients.

Jeremy Cohen, Esq. from Boston Dog Lawyers, returns to "Why Do Pets Matter?" with a powerful conversation about breeder contracts, the questions potential owners must ask before they sign a breeder contract and what breeders should put in their contracts to protect themselves while fostering communication, transparency, and collaboration. About Jeremy Cohen, Esq. A lawyer for nearly 20 years, Jeremy Cohen has been handling cases for dog owners since 2008. By opening Boston Dog Lawyers in 2015 he is growing a law practice specializing in representing dog owners and pet owners. Prior to working for animals, Attorney Cohen worked in the insurance industry. He rose from a claims adjuster to manager of global claims on behalf of The General Electric Company. He founded a general practice law firm in 2007 and sold it in 2014 so he could focus on defending companion animals. While he still handles some civil litigation outside of pets, each day his practice becomes more and more about what he loves to do. You can learn more at his website: https://www.bostondoglawyers.com/index.html

Tom Van Winkle, CEO and Executive Director of the Hinsdale Humane Society in Chicagoland, IL joins us during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?". He's chatting with us about how pets and their potential people are screened for adoption, the language you need to use when you're screening, how to help people foster animals, and helping our deploying servicemen and women find a home for their pets when they deploy. More About Tom Tom Van Winkle brings more than 20 years of animal welfare industry experience to his position as Executive Director of HHS since 2017. Beginning with his early experience as a volunteer and board member of a small humane society in 1997, Tom also served as executive director for a humane society in the Chicago suburbs in 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Illinois and an MBA in Finance from Loyola University. Tom credits his upbringing in a family filled with compassion as a source of constant inspiration as he guides HHS to become one of the premier animal shelters in the country. Connect With Tom Email: [email protected] Phone: 630-323-5630 x11 About Hinsdale Humane Society The Hinsdale Humane Society operates the Pet Rescue and Resource Center which serves the entire Chicagoland region. The primary focus of their mission is to eradicate animal homelessness by providing a temporary safe haven for homeless animals until a forever family can be located and operating programs to keep pets from becoming homeless in the first place. They accomplish their mission in many ways including pet adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter services for other rescues, humane education, pet therapy, and obedience classes. Their experienced staff can help you find a new family member or assist with issues your current pet may be experiencing. The most important part of our job is to repair and strengthen the bond between humans and their pets. We believe in a humane world for all living beings. Connect With The Hinsdale Humane Society Website: https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HinsdaleHumaneSociety

My good friend, colleague and fellow Irish Setter breeder, Karolynne McAteer, joins us during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" to share her 40 years of expertise and experience about purebred dogs and what everyone needs to know about choosing the right dog bred from them. She very generously shares information about how dogs are bred, what's important to breeders - especially preservationist breeders, how the way we live with our companion animals has shifted over the years and how that shift has become really apparent during the COVID epidemic. More About Karolynne: Karolynne was born into Irish Setters and has never been without one at the foot of her bed. Today her dogs compete in Conformation and in the Field. Born in Boston, raised in Bermuda, and educated in the U.S., she graduated from college with a major in English and a minor in Broadcast Journalism. She is a second-generation Irish Setter breeder, starting as a junior handler, exhibitor of the family dog, breeder, breeder of merit, breeder/judge, and now AKC judge of the Sporting Group and Field Trials. Karolynne sits on the Board of the Irish Setter Club of America and is the AKC Delegate to the breed. Additionally, Karolynne sits on the Board of the American Kennel Club and several of its entities. Karolynne directs daytime streaming at the AKC National Championship and for Westminster Kennel Club. She is also the Director for Public Relations at Assisi Animal Health, a science-based company committed to improving life’s journey for animals, their owners and veterinary professionals. When not dealing with something that barks, she can be found conjuring up something good in the kitchen. AKC Canine Health Foundation: https://www.akcchf.org/about-us/who_we_are/karolynne-mcateer.html

Gary Friedman, one of my dearest mentors and co-director of The Center of Understanding in Conflict joins us for this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" We're talking about pets and how mediation can be exceptionally beneficial when people are in conflict over a pet, what it takes to have a successful experience with mediation, and how mediation can help people move from a right or wrong, high conflict situation to a conversation that leads them to a better resolution for their dispute while preserving their future relationship. About Gary J. Friedman Gary Friedman has been practicing law as a mediator with Mediation Law Offices in Mill Valley, California since 1976. Prior to his work as a mediator, he practiced law as a trial lawyer with Friedman and Friedman in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After several years as an advocate, he sought a new approach to resolving disputes through increasing the participation of the parties in the resolution of their differences. At that time, he and his colleague, Jack Himmelstein, began to develop the Understanding-based model that is now practiced extensively in the United States and Europe. As one of the first lawyer mediators and a primary force in the current mediation movement, he has used this model to complete over one thousand mediations in the last two decades, including numerous two-party and multi-party disputes in the commercial and non-profit realms, in the area of intellectual property, real estate, corporate, personnel, partnership formations and dissolutions, and family law. Through the Center for Mediation in Law, Gary has trained lawyers, law professors and judges in the Center’s method of mediation and a mediative approach to lawyering and collaborative practice. Since l989, he has been training lawyers, judges and psychotherapists in the United States, Europe, and Israel. He has taught courses in negotiation and mediation at Stanford University Law School and the New College of Law and has taught at Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation and at the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva. Gary has written extensively about mediation and conflict resolution and is the author of A Guide to Divorce Mediation, (Workman Publishing, l993) and is the co-author, with Jack Himmelstein, of Challenging Conflict: Mediation Through Understanding (published by the American Bar Association and Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, 2008). Connect With Gary: https://understandinginconflict.org/our-teachers/gary-friedman/ https://www.linkedin.com/pub/gary-friedman/6/453/14b Books: High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley A Guide to Divorce Mediation: How to Reach a Fair, Legal Settlement at a Fraction of the Cost Challenging Conflict: Mediation Through Understanding

Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, JD, joins us during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" She's a fantastic veterinarian, repro-vet, attorney, and breeder. During the height of the pandemic, she wrote "Your Pandemic Puppy" -- a book covering your puppy's physical and mental well-being, as well as training and veterinary care. And, she also started a drive-thru vet practice called "Checkout Veterinary." She's very generously sharing information pet owners everywhere might find helpful during our conversation. More About Dr. Marty Greer Dr. Greer received her Bachelor of Science in 1978 and her DVM in 1981 from Iowa State University. She has a particular interest in Pediatrics and Reproduction. In 2002, she opened a Canine Semen Freezing Center, International Canine Semen Bank – Wisconsin (ICSB-WI/IL). During her first attempt at using extended semen, she bred the practice's first litter of pups from frozen semen in 1998. She and her family raise and show Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Danish Swedish Farmdogs. They have raised 5 puppies for Canine Companions for Independence, a service dog organization. Her practice has contributed to pharmaceutical and nutritional research as an investigator for Abbott Laboratory, Deprenyl Animal Health, Pfizer, Virbac, and Hill's Pet food Corporation. She has also been featured in articles in Veterinary Economics. In 2010, she graduated from Marquette Law School. She practices law part-time with her law partner, Attorney Sheila Kessler, at Animal Legal Resources LLC. In 2014, she wrote Canine Reproduction and Neonatology, a 470-page book about everything reproduction which was the Winner of Dog Writers Association of America's Dogwise Best Book Award. In 2019 she became certified as a Fear Free professional. And, in 2020, she wrote Your Pandemic Puppy, which explains how to raise a well-adjusted puppy during a pandemic. She is an active community member of AVMA, NEWVMA, AAVSB, APDT, AAFP, SVME, The Society for Theriogenology, the Fond du Lac Kennel Club, The Kettle Moraine Kennel Club, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Kennel Club, and the Lomira Area Chamber of Commerce. And, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, American Veterinary Medical Law Association, and the Society for Theriogenology. She served on the Animal Welfare Committee and Education Committee for the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. She is also president of the National Animal Interest Alliance. She recently started working with Revival Animal Health as their Director of Vet Services. Connect with Marty: https://www.facebook.com/MartyGreerDVM/ https://www.facebook.com/Checkout-Veterinary-100856988730575 https://www.facebook.com/VeterinaryVillage/ https://www.smallanimalclinic.com/ https://www.checkoutvet.com/ Get The Book - Your Pandemic Puppy https://www.amazon.com/Your-Pandemic-Puppy-Well-Adjusted-COVID-19/dp/1943824509

My good friend and colleague, Karis Nafte, returns to "Why Do Pets Matter?" this week. She is a certified dog behavior consultant and a mediator. Karis is the BEST pet custody specialist you could ever hope to work with if you have pets and are getting divorced. We work very closely together because we both understand that divorcing with pets is an emotional experience that often needs assistance to navigate through. Today, we are taking a look at three common speed bumps couples often hit when divorcing with animals: 1. Humanizing the animal 2. Weaponizing the animal 3. Bargaining with the animal About Karis Nafte: Animals are not possessions, nor are they children. They fall into their own unique category that requires a delicate and considered approach when it comes to the issue of custody. For couples who are divorcing and have pets, Karis provides a specialized service offering expert guidance about custody decisions for their dogs, cats, and other companion animals. Karis brings twenty-five years of experience as a professional animal behaviorist; she provides a neutral, supportive position between the separating couple while keeping the animal's perspective in the forefront. Even for couples working amicably through their divorce, the emotional component surrounding beloved pets can complicate matters. To learn more about Karis and the work she does, please visit https://whokeepsthedog.com/, and listen to her first interview on "Why Do Pets Matter?" You can also find her on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karisnafte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Karis-Nafte-The-Pet-Custody-Consultant-101736361429277/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karis-nafte-b4b9b81a6/

While COVID cooped up many people in their homes, veterinary professionals have been in the hospitals, clinics, and field caring for animals. For veterinary professionals, the "COVID 20" means something different -- it's the extra 20 animals they squeezed in for an exam on any given day! Working in a highly demanding and giving profession comes with a high cost for many vets -- the time for their self-care often comes last. The Clinic to 5K Run is for veterinarians (and everyone else) to help themselves shake off the lingering effects of COVID. Running helps clear your mind, calm anxiety, tame stress, and it will help you with your focus as you juggle all the things you need to juggle in your day-to-day. Relief Rover wants to help struggling veterinarians, so $10 for every runner will be donated to Not One More Vet, Inc (NOMV) - an organization helping veterinary professionals in crisis. The Relief Rover Clinic to 5K Virtual Run offers runners and walkers the chance to participate in a 5k at their leisure while knowing that they are helping others. All entrants will receive the Relief Rover Clinic to 5K Virtual Run Series logo medal, the series logo race bib, and a series logo running cap. The medals, bibs, and caps are Made in the U.S.A. Charitable beneficiaries of the Relief Rover Clinic to 5K Virtual Run include Not One More Vet, Inc (NOMV). Registrants will have an opportunity to make additional donations to other charities, including Pride VMC and the Stryder Cancer Foundation. Relief Rover Clinic to 5K: 5k: run or walk any time that works for you or join us on any day in our official one-week window from July 24 - 31. Summer Challenge: a summer activity to challenge your heart and body. It starts on May 15th and ends on July 31st, 2021. Registration for Virtual 5k: $35 - Starting June 1st You pick the date. You pick your route. You have your FUN knowing you are helping support mental health in the veterinary profession! Learn More and Join Us: RunVetRun.com Connect with Cindy and Juli https://www.facebook.com/reliefrover/ Here's the link to Cindy's first interview on "Why Do Pets Matter?" https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/cindy-trice-on-why-do-pets-matter-with-debra-hamilton-podcast-120/

Kelly Baltzell, founder of Beyond Indigo, a marketing agency that helps progressive pet service providers get the word out about their businesses "to get more tails through the door" is joining us during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" Beyond our never-ending passion for pets and the unconditional love they have for their people, we are both passionate about human communication. The kind of communication that reflects self-awareness, honesty, accountability, responsibility, and forgiveness -- first with ourselves and then with others. In 2020 Kelly and I hosted a highly successful workshop called "Speaking The Right Words" to help professionals navigate their way through "reactive communications" while giving them tools to converse with others in a way that wouldn't be perceived as "offensive" -- a way of having empowering and curious discussions that lead to collaborative outcomes without being quagmired in defensiveness and negativity. About Kelly Baltzell, M.A. Kelly is President and CEO of the Beyond Indigo family of companies, which she founded in 1997. Under her leadership, Beyond Indigo companies have developed all types of veterinary websites (small animal, exotic, specialty, equine, mixed animal) that now reach millions of people each year in multiple countries. As of 2013, Beyond Indigo Pets has worked closely with AAHA as a preferred provider, and in 2015 took part in their new Member Value Program for websites and marketing. Since 2015, Beyond Indigo has been a certified Google AdWords Partner, and works directly with Google. Additionally, Kelly has been a monthly columnist for AAHA Marketlink since 2011. She has also spoken and been published in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK. Kelly speaks frequently about marketing trends and website design at national and international conventions and private functions. Her goal is to keep people up-to-date with the latest information on digital marketing in an easy-to-understand manner. Kelly’s 20-years of experience, passion, and visionary approach to the industry make her an unparalleled leader in internet marketing. Kelly graduated from George Washington University with a degree in international affairs and economics and received her master’s degree in counseling and psychology from St. Mary’s. Kelly is a proud parent, currently living with her family in Minnesota. Connect with Kelly: http://www.beyondindigopets.com/ https://www.facebook.com/beyondindigopets https://www.instagram.com/beyondindigopets/ https://www.youtube.com/user/beyondindigopets https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellybaltzell/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-indigo-pets

We're in for a real treat today! Ana Melara from Grace Dog Training and Behavior joins us today with some amazing nuggets that will help us take a step back, evaluate where we and our dogs are at in training, how to get the most out of the training and how we can create an even better relationship with our dogs. About Ana Melara, CPDT-KA: Ana Melara has been working with dogs and their families for over two decades, originally in N.Y.C. and since 2001 here in Colorado. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and member of the (APDT) Association of Professional Dog Trainers and a member of (IAABC) International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is TAGteach Advanced Certified. (This means that she’s also very good at teaching people.) She keeps herself current by attending and hosting various workshops, seminars and conferences. Her training techniques are founded on praise-based, dog-friendly and people-friendly methods, and a fundamental belief that, as dog guardians, we are responsible for their well-being and training. Whether she is teaching basic manners, puppy house-training or addressing a dog’s aggression issues, Ana emphasizes to all of her human clients the profound importance that their gentle guidance and loving leadership plays in their dog’s training. Ana lives in Lakewood with her daughter and her three amazing dogs. Chaka, her 6 year old, brilliant, silly, crazy-pants trick dog; Tatonka, her sweet 12-ish year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier who has gone from nervous, bitey and growly to happily and waggly; and her youngest infant son, Baldr, a sweet, baby Malinois/GSD X who has appointed himself as the family therapist while dragging around his queen-sized woobie. Ana can be reached by emailing [email protected], or calling 303-238-DOGS(3647). Connect with Ana: https://gracedog.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GraceDogTraining/ https://twitter.com/TWGDogTraining https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYY9XJ7y5uTj4LHclYC3Zg https://www.instagram.com/gracedogco/

This week the fabulous Cathy Madson returns to "Why Do Pets Matter?" to speak with us about transitioning back to work with a Pandemic Puppy, how training your dog becomes far more doable when you break it into bite-sized steps, consulting with behaviorists and vets when your dog has behavior issues, and virtual support communities to connect with -- including the resources at PreventiveVet.com. She is a Certified Behavior Consultant and professional dog trainer from PreventiveVet. Last month, April 2021, she spoke with us about how to acclimate your dog to being alone right now to help ease the transition for those of us who are returning to work in the near future. More About Cathy Madson, MA, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA Cathy Madson became a certified dog trainer in 2008, but she likes to think that her career began when she was six years old and a stray wandered into her yard and became her first dog companion. She completed her CPDT-KA certification in 2017 and her CBCC-KA certification in 2019. Cathy is a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and a training professional member of The Pet Professional Guild (PPG). She's also a member of the Dog Writer's Association of America. Cathy loves to geek out at dog behavior and training conferences. As Preventive Vet's dog trainer on staff, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement training methods. Her specialties include canine separation anxiety, leash reactivity, and dog aggression. When she's not working, you can usually find her paddle boarding or knitting yet another dog sweater for Sookie, her Welsh Cardigan Corgi. Resources: YouTube of our latest Yappy Hour: From Pandemic to Pupstanding! https://youtu.be/Y3eBeEbwxwE Puppy Essentials and Dog Training Essentials Workshops - https://www.PupstandingAcademy.com https://www.PreventiveVet.com Connect with Cathy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreventiveVet YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/Preventivevet Twitter: @PreventiveVet Instagram: @PreventiveVet

During this episode of “Why Do Pets Matter?” we’re speaking with Krista Karpowich, owner and podcaster at Wag Out Loud, a podcast that is focused on canine health, nutrition, and well-being. About Krista Karpowich Krista Karpowich owns Wag Out Loud, LLC and is the host of the weekly Wag Out Loud pawdcast, a show focusing on canine health, nutrition and overall well-being. After receiving her certification in canine nutrition and noticing that most dogs are getting sicker and living shorter lives, Krista became obsessed with bringing experts and dog enthusiasts together in committed community to enhance the bond with our dogs, help them live longer and be as happy and healthy as possible. Krista has also launched the new Wag Out Loud LTOs Show (LTO standing for Limited Time Offers) which is a live stream shopping show for the best dog related products. Connect With Krista https://www.wagoutloud.com/ https://facebook.com/wagoutloud https://instagram.com/wagoutloud/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/wagoutloudunleashed https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-karpowich-89b8505/