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

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:   chris@doobert.com 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/ cooneydvm@gmail.com  

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: tom.vanwinkle@hinsdalehumanesociety.org 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 Ana@GraceDog.com, 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/

During this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" we're speaking with Rhonda Bell of Dog Days Consulting. Rhonda helps veterinarians, other pet service professionals and their clients talk to one another over social media.  She helps animal service providers improve and maintain their good reputations online. She also shows them how to resolve and repair their reputation if there has been negative feedback from distressed clients. Rhonda also talks about using "The Power of The Pause" to give yourself some breathing space before responding to something that triggers you. It's a relationship saver! Learn More About Rhonda Bell: Rhonda founded Dog Days Consulting in 2017. She is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional, and a Certified Professional Life Coach with over 15 years of veterinary management experience.  Being in a busy animal hospital managing the day-to-day operations is where she discovered her passion for training and systems organization.  She enjoys teaching teams on how to implement successful social media marketing practices by setting goals and milestones in which to achieve them.  Rhonda enjoys working with social media and other technology platforms to improve hospital exposure and client engagement. She understands that efficiency has an immediate impact on the bottom line.  Moving around as a military wife she was able to manage multiple animal hospitals throughout her career.   Connect With Rhonda: https://dogdaysconsulting.com/ https://www.facebook.com/dogdaysconsulting/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondabellcvpm/ https://www.instagram.com/rhonda_dog_days/ rhonda@dogdaysconsulting.com

Mindy Dutka Is Celebrating Our Unsung Dog Heroes of COVID-19 through Tales of Support! There's no question about it, our pets -- especially our dogs -- have and continue to help their families get through this challenging time.  My good friend, Mindy Dutka from Dogs I Meet, returns to "Why Do Pets Matter?" to talk about her new passion project -- Tales of Support.  During this incredibly insightful conversation, Mindy goes into how dogs have supported us during the pandemic.  They've been our shining light and heart-felt joy, a huge comfort, and a reason for many of us to get out of bed in the morning. They've helped us to stay present and in the moment.  As Mindy so eloquently puts it, "It is scientifically proven that the human-dog bond can improve a person’s physical and mental well-being. The pandemic has turned every dog into a therapy dog. In a time met with unprecedented levels of loneliness and tragedy, the wagging tails and wigglebutts turned out to be the support system we all needed." Through photos and stories, Tales of Support will spotlight dogs that have played an important role in sustaining their humans throughout the pandemic. Do you have a story to honor your dog that you'd like to share through Tales of Support?  Check out the “Tales of Support” tab at www.dogsimeet.com. Please email hello@dogsimeet.com with a quick introduction and summary of your story.  Mindy is currently looking for stories in the Boston, New York City and San Francisco areas.   Follow Tales of Support on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogsimeet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogsimeet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-dutka-316b09181/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/dogsimeet/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyARV1QJ0JEI524fos0Mw1A =========================== Read the Tales of Support: Tales of Support: https://dogsimeet.com/tales-of-support   Learn more about Mindy and Dogs I Meet: Dogs I Meet website: https://dogsimeet.com/​   Connect with Mindy: Hello@dogsimeet.com

Carolyn Shadle, the CEO and resident guru of Interpersonl Communication Services, Inc., returns to "Why Do Pets Matter?" to discuss the importance of post-COVID interpersonal communication, the relationship between oxytocin and pet ownership, why the words and language we choose during our conversations matter, and how to keep our pets with us post-pandemic   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

During this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" We're speaking with Cathy Madson, a Certified Behavior Consultant and professional dog trainer from PreventiveVet. She was one of our special guests in December 2019 and gave a mini-training about leaving your dog alone. At the time, little did we know that we would really need that training in 2021. So, Cathy's back with another training on how to leave your dog alone, plus how to address things your pet might be doing right now since you've been home more, and what's going on with "Major Biden".    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 West Paw Toppl toy (alternative to Kong): http://amzn.to/2m5E2zR Michael Shikashio -- aggression specialist (and who the Bidens should really hire) Denise Fenzi -- amazing with high drive dogs   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 Liz Rubinstein, CEO of GingerLead, a harness that pet owners can use whether their dog has arthritis, is recovering from surgery, hip dysplasia, or another type of cruciating injury. This is one of the best harnesses on the market for helping owners keep their pets safe during recovery. Liz is also an attorney who, like me, mediates conflicts between people over animals!  More About Liz Rubinstein: Liz Rubinstein is an attorney with a love of animals that led her to leave and then return to her legal career. Liz left the practice of law when she and her husband invented the GingerLead Dog Support & Rehabilitation Harness, a product that helps dogs with orthopedic problems. She has been selling it around the world to veterinarians, pet stores and pet owners since 2008.  She returned to the practice of law in 2020 (while still running GingerLead) and specifically focused on mediation because she was inspired by me and has seen the benefits of mediation in resolving disputes involving animals. Connect with Liz: https://www.gingerlead.com/ http://www.facebook.com/GingerLead http://www.mediationlawyerco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-rubinstein/ liz@mediationlawyerco.com  

Today we're speaking with the Airbnb of rescues and shelters, Chris Roy of Doobert.com. Chris is chatting with us about how COVID has created a collaborative environment between shelters, rescues, and volunteers. 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:   chris@doobert.com www.doobert.com www.fosterspace.com fb.com/doobertrescue ig.com/doobert Twitter: @doobert

Olivia Summerhill, CFP®, CDFA®-- a financial planner -- is joining us during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?"  Olivia helps women who are going through a divorce with their finances. One thing she has noticed is that most people don't put together a plan for their pets while they still like one another -- pre- disagreements, separation, and ultimately divorce. Olivia is sharing her thoughts about the importance of having a plan in place for the care of your pet from the perspective of a financial planner who has seen the devastating consequences of her clients' not having any sort of agreements in place pre-divorce. The last thing you want is for your ego or pride to get in the way of doing what's in the best interest of your animal!   Learn More About Olivia Summerhill: Olivia Summerhill, the founder of Summerhill Wealth Management, works exclusively with affluent women, protecting their lifestyle throughout the divorce process. Olivia works closely with her clients’ divorce attorneys to give them the ammunition they need to negotiate the most advantageous settlements. After the divorce finalization, Olivia uses her knowledge of behavioral finance to work with her clients on topics relating to a divorce’s impact. Specifically, on the psychological behaviors such as self-awareness, money patterns, and effective financial decision-making, her female clients can control and maintain their living standards. Olivia is one of few financial professionals to hold a Certified Financial Planner, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Behavioral Financial Advising credentials. When she's not working, Olivia loves conversing in French -- and she may have a mild addiction to collecting saltwater fish.  She also has a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Leo, who is almost 2 years old. She did her research and waited years before getting a dog so that she would have enough space/energy/money to raise him right. She has invested almost $20k on Leo's training and he is her triathlon training partner. Currently, she's training for an Ironman 70.3 to raise money for Savvy Ladies, a non-profit that helps women take control of their finances. She has a passion for volunteering on boards and seeing the difference it makes in the community.   Connect with Olivia: Website: https://www.summerhillwealth.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summerhillwealthmanagement LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviasummerhill  olivia@summerhillwealth.com  

Today we're chatting with my long-time friend, Laura Reeves, about how breeders sustain their breeds and how they pick their owners.  She is a breeder, exhibitor, former handler, and seasoned podcaster -- hosting Pure Dog Talk and a contributing host to the Good Dog Pod.  Laura's motto is, "As man plans, God laughs!" Learn more about Laura Reeves: Laura is an AKC Breeder of Merit, AKC Judge, Good Dog Advisor, and a retired zone representative for the Professional Handler Association.  She is a second-generation breeder of German Wirehaired Pointers, under the Scotia Kennel banner. She is also one of the hosts of The Good Dog Pod. In her professional handling career, spanning 25 years, Laura consistently maintained a high-quality, low-number client list. She has finished hundreds of dogs, with group-winners from each of the seven variety groups. Specializing in rare breeds and challenging dogs, she has piloted dogs to Best in Show, Best in Specialty Show, Group wins, #1 rankings and more. Scotia dogs have earned well over 100 titles — in the show ring, in hunt tests, field trials and NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association), in agility, tracking, obedience and rally.  Her dedication to breeding dual-purpose dogs reflects a stated goal of preserving the all-weather, rugged, sound-minded versatile gun dog the breed’s founders envisioned. Laura has served the GWPCA as AKC Gazette columnist, Judges Education Committee member and chair, Vice President, President, National Events Coordinator and more. Her podcast, Pure Dog Talk, is The VOICE of purebred dogs. Laura talks to the legends of the sport and gives you tips and tools to create an awesome life with your purebred dog. From showing to preservation breeding, from competitive obedience to fieldwork, from agility to therapy dogs and all the fun in between; your passion is Pure Dog Talk's purpose. Pure Dog Talk is a proud supporter of the American Kennel Club, our Parent, Specialty and All-Breed Clubs, Dog Sports, Therapy, Service and the Preservation of our Canine Companions.  The Good Dog Pod supports dog breeders and responsible dog ownership. Good Dog is on a mission to build a better world for our dogs and the people who love them by educating the public and advocating for dog breeders. The Good Dog Pod achieves its mission by providing dog breeders and the public with the latest updates in canine health and veterinary care, animal legislation and legal advocacy, canine training and behavior science, and dog breeding practices. You can connect with Laura here: https://www.scotiakennel.com/about/ https://www.PureDogTalk.com/ https://www.facebook.com/PureDogTalk https://twitter.com/puredogtalk https://www.gooddog.com/good-dog-pod https://www.facebook.com/goodbreedercenter https://twitter.com/officialgooddog

Today we're chatting with Mark Olcott, DVM, Co-founder & CEO VitusVet, a Veterinary Practice Management Solution that helps veterinarians use modern technology to improve patient care and grow their business.  Mark, a former partner at a multi-doctor small animal practice, co-founded VitusVet to solve the client-communication problems he saw each day. The company’s goal is very simple: to make it easier for veterinarians and pet owners to share information. Mark (and his company) love pets and believe in advocating for them because they can't speak for themselves. More About Mark Olcott, DVM Mark, a native of upstate NY, obtained his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the State University of New York at Geneseo. He then earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 1995 and, in 2013, his MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.  Mark was a partner for several years in a multi-doctor small animal practice before leaving to start his own mobile ultrasonography business. More recently, he worked as an Emergency Veterinarian at a major regional referral hospital, where he was named by his peers as one of the Top Veterinarians in Northern Virginia.  Mark also holds multiple patents, is a published author, and is the co-founder and CEO  of a software company called VitusVet. VitusVet is a rapidly growing company with one simple goal: to improve the connection between veterinarians and pet owners.  Mark lives in Frederick, Maryland with his wife, three children, two cats, four dogs, four geckos, three snakes and a bunch of fish.  Click to learn more about VitusVet!  

On today's "Why Do Pets Matter?" Podcast we're hearing from a new voice in the animal law community, Jessica Chapman, JD.  Currently, Jessica is pursuing her LLM at Lewis & Clark Law School -- the only University in the country offering an LLM in the field of animal law. (An LLM is a secondary degree for lawyers who have achieved their JD and passed the bar exam, and who are interested in a focused, specialized course of study in a specific topic of law.) Jessica's work revolves around having a different conversation and approach to animal abuse...  1. Healing abusers of their victimization and trauma from their own abuse or learned violence experiences will protect non-human animals and humans from becoming future victims. 2. Exploitation of animals and the legal abuse that occurs in industries that exploit animals -- like traumatized industrial workers -- which can manifest itself as abuse to companion animals and domestic violence. 3 We as advocates should develop relationships with individuals who the courts have convicted of abuse and with individuals who self-identify as abusers to find out which therapy techniques will help them heal from their past trauma. Condemning the individual and excluding them from therapy discussions enable the abuse to perpetuate. Experts in multiple areas should collaborate on therapeutic and rehabilitative approaches.    More About Jessica: Jessica Chapman is an Animal Law LLM Candidate at Lewis & Clark Law School. She is a recipient of the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law and Policy Domestic Scholarship.  She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she double majored with a Bachelor of Arts in Slavic Languages and Literature and Native American Studies.  She graduated with a Juris Doctor (cum laude) from Michigan State University College of Law.  She is part of the ALLC (Animal Law Litigation Clinic) and is dedicating her legal career to the protection and representation of animals.

Today I'm speaking with Dr. Lindsay Evans about the important role our pets have played in helping us maintain good self-care and mental well-being practices and why compassionate, non-judgemental communication for both veterinarians and their clients -- especially when it comes to difficult diagnoses and financial matters -- is critical. About Dr. Lindsay Evans Lindsay is a Veterinarian and a Regional Clinical Director for Greencross Vets in Australia. In her role, she focuses on improving the standards of care we offer to our pets and has a passion for open communication, the human-animal bond, and evidence-based medicine. Outside of work she enjoys travelling and spending time with her senior Labrador Phoebe. Greencross Vets Sandringham: https://www.greencrossvets.com.au/vets/sandringham/

"What would happen to your pets if something happened to you?" That's the question today's guest, Peggy Hoyt, a Trust and Estate attorney and I are exploring in this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?"  and why having a MAAP Plan in place for your pets is so important!Peggy describes herself as “an attorney, animal advocate, and pet mom.” Her love for animals was developed as a child when her father, John A. Hoyt was the President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.Now, her days start by taking care of 3 horses, 6 dogs, and 2 cats before she goes to her office! She is a founding partner of Hoyt & Bryan, LLC. Peggy is dual-certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts, and Estates and in Elder Law.She is the author of All My Children Wear Fur Coats – How to Leave a Legacy for Your Pet, a book for pet parents on the importance of including their pets as part of their estate plan. She also hosts a weekly “paw-cast” on Buzzsprout called All My Children Wear Fur Coats.Peggy is the Founder and CEO of Animal Care Trust USA, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping pet parents keep loved pets in loving homes. The organization offers several Forever Loved Pet Trust solutions including Forever Home, Forever Family, and Forever Sanctuary. Animal Care Trust USA can act as a corporate Pet Trustee and is leading the animal estate planning world with the creation of the Forever Loved Pet Trust, a community Pet Trust.Hoyt & Bryan, LLChttps://hoytbryan.comPawcast: All My Children Wear Fur Coats with Peggy Hoy‪t‬https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-my-children-wear-fur-coats-with-peggy-hoyt/id1460842551Animal Care Trust USAhttps://www.animalcaretrustusa.org/Book: All My Children Wear Fur Coatshttps://www.amazon.com/All-Children-Wear-Fur-Coats-ebook/dp/B009OJQWZ0/

Scott Fine, founder of Joey's Legacy, returns to "Why Do Pets Matter?"  and is chatting with us today about best-selling author JL Robb's new book "Joey's Legacy - Seeking Truth and Integrity In Veterinary Medicine which promises to expose the wrongdoing in the veterinary profession. Scott also talks about veterinary accountability and responsibility, why it's important to know your rights, and how to resolve disagreements.Joey's Legacy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is advocacy for companion animals. They assist those whose loved ones have recently become victims of veterinary negligence. Their nationwide network of veterinary experts and animal law attorneys intervene and seek justice for their members. The majority of veterinarians -- those who provide ethical, exemplary care for their patients and are always truthful and transparent with their clients -- appreciate the work Joey's Legacy does to hold their unprincipled colleagues accountable for their unprincipled actions. You can contact Scott:info@joeyslegacy.orgText: (833) 310-JOEY (5639)https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoeysLegacy/

Is it possible for veterinarians and their clients to improve how they communicate to help the animals they love and care for live their best lives? This week's "Why Do Pets Matter?" special guest thinks so.Dr. Stacee Santi is an extraordinary veterinarian who believes in honesty, integrity, and transparency. And, for her, it all starts with diligent communication between the veterinarian and pet owner. She is the creator of Vet2Pet, a client engagement platform, designed to help practices connect at a deeper level with clients, bonding them to the practice and helping veterinarians provide the most exceptional care to their patients. You can learn more about Stacee and the Vet2Pet App on her website:https://vet2pet.com/ Or connect with her on:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vet2petapps/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vet2PetAppsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet2petapps/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/vet2petYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6slgeFG6fokHQhI7D6j6g

Today Mindy Dutka from Dogs I Meet is our special guest today! Mindy is a professional photographer based in Boston who helps people take pictures of their dogs for posterity. She also takes pictures of dogs at rescues and shelters so they are more adoptable.Photography had always piqued her curiosity. The way a picture preserves memory and a single snapshot can tell a story. As a New Yorker, she'd become obsessed with Humans of New York, and had an idea that she could do something similar for dogs.She decided to travel streets around the world with her camera. And, she made it her mission to capture dog tales, moment by moment, one photograph at a time.Over the past couple of years, she's documented daily life inside animal shelters and clinics – from Boston to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.Mindy believes in giving back and spends time with rescue organizations all around the world photographing adoption and rescue shelters and veterinary clinics.You can learn more about Mindy on her website:https://dogsimeet.com/Or connect with her on:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dogsimeetInstagram: https://instagram.com/dogsimeetPinterest: https://pinterest.com/dogsimeetLinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-dutka-316b09181/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyARV1QJ0JEI524fos0Mw1A/

Dr. Randall Lockwood is an internationally recognized expert on the connection between animal cruelty and human violence. He currently consults with the ASPCA about policy, response, and engagement regarding animal abuse since he retired from his position as Senior Vice-President with them. During this incredibly educational conversation, Randall and I talk about how pets benefit people, public health surrounding pets, and why people harm animals.We all know that while the pandemic has created a huge spike in pet adoptions -- a very good thing for both the people and pets, it has also been hard on a lot of people, both in terms of their resources and their mental health.When people are stressed or angry and they're always at home, that anger can be taken out on an animal, or a spouse, or even a child. Family pets are often ‘part of the domestic abuse cycle’ and there has been an increase in that since COVID hit the scene.Randall has done a lot of work with police agencies on issues related to dog shootings.Police departments throughout the country need to develop better training so officers can more accurately assess which dogs are life-threatening and dangerous and which are not.Most officers just aren't adequately trained to quickly and correctly assess the risks a dog poses and determine how to best handle the situation.Frequently, shooting a dog is a knee-jerk reaction by an officer not familiar with dogs. And, as police officers receive better training, the number of shootings is declining. 

Vivian's passion in life is helping people make real, compassionate connections with the animals in their lives so that both of you are living your best life with one another.Today she's sharing lots of great tips about living happily and positively with your animal(s) and how to better understand and develop the relationship you and your pet have through observing, decoding, and guiding their behavior and yours.She has been a dog behavior consultant for 18 years. In 2003 she earned her master's degree in conflict resolution from the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Since then she has worked in the field of animal welfare policy and research at the Animal Welfare Institute in Washington, D.C. and she has also volunteered with the rehabilitation of dogs with problem behaviors in the canine rescue community.In 2010 she took on a full-time position to develop and manage the training department at Fur-Get Me Not in Arlington, VA, creating all the behavior specialty classes, she held this position for 8 years.In 2018 she co-founded "Positive Dog Solutions" -- a company created to help build strong and healthy relationships between people, their dogs, and the community in which they live, using scientifically proven, practical, and humane methods.  Vivian also mediates custody cases at the Multi-Door dispute resolution division at DC Courts and is a volunteer mediator with Community Mediation DC.You can learn more about the marvelous work Vivan does at:https://www.positivedogsolutions.com/And, you can connect with Vivian here:https://www.facebook.com/positivedogsolutionshttps://www.instagram.com/positivedogsolutions/ 

Jeff Davis, owner of a successful pet services business in Houston, TX and founder of "My Pet Credentials" (MPC) is talking to us today about an online tool he created that will help you keep your pet's information up to date and accessible 24 hours a day  -- no matter where you are.The MPC app allows you to create multiple pet profiles and you can add all of your veterinarian's information, vaccination and other records, your pet's health history, dietary requirements, medications, special needs, grooming preferences, emergency, and other contact numbers, as well as microchip and registration numbers.It also helps you manage all of your pet's appointments and vaccination reminders. Pet Owners and pet professionals, including veterinarians, animal hospitals, shelters, pet salons, and trainers can upload and share pet records and vaccinations safely and securely.You can learn more about this fantastic app at:https://www.mypetcredentials.com/And you can connect with Jeff on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/mypetcredentials/

Sheila Goffe, VP of Government Relations of the American Kennel Club (AKC) joins us on "Why Do Pets Matter?" to discuss the importance, capabilities and credentialing of service animals.Our dog breeds are a reflection of how humans have evolved. Dogs are very special because they are dogs -- many of them were originally purpose-bred to help their humans stay alive and thrive. They were helpers in so many ways -- they were and continue to be both a physical and emotional lifeline for their people.This is especially true for us right now while we are in the middle of this COVID pandemic. Our dogs are always happy to see you, loving companions we come home to and they are here for us 24/7 while we are spending more time home now than ever before -- they are keeping us sane and grounded. They are truly functioning as emotional support animals.The conversation about emotional support animals leads us to a bigger conversation about therapy and individually task trained service dogs. Currently, the AKC and government relations are focusing more on what is the correct and proper role of service animals and the damage that's being done to these amazing dogs because of fraudulent "emotional support" and "service dog" claims. They are doing some incredible work to ensure that all those who need to partner with a service dog are able to go out into the public confidently.American Service Dog Access Coalition (ASDAC)Fake and poorly trained Service Dogs are inundating airlines, restaurants, hotels and other access providers creating undue burdens for disabled individuals when they travel. In response, industry leaders have come together to form the American Service Dog Access Coalition(ASDAC).ASDAC prioritizes collaboration with the goal of building the broadest possible coalition of Service/Guide Dog providers and access providers to end the use of fake and poorly trained “service dogs” while simultaneously raising Service Dog training standards through the creation of an opt-in credentialing system.Unlike other attempts at Service Dog registries, the ASDAC is a stand-alone not-for-profit coalition established by industry leaders with expertise in a canine registry, technology, Service Dog training and advocacy.The ASDAC recognizes the legitimacy of a variety of sources of Service Dogs but also the issues and confusion caused by a lack of unified behavioral standards for true Service Dogs as defined by federal law.The ASDAC believes that this is an opportunity for our industry to collectively create a solution for our federal policymakers that will prevent additional policy-induced complications and ensure sustained success for service dog teams moving forward.Learn more about ASDAC credentialing here: https://warriorsresearchinstitute.org/service-dog-pass-asdacMore About Sheila GoffeSheila leads the AKC’s efforts in working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership. She oversees AKC legislative policy strategy and AKC outreach at the federal, state and local levels, works with legislators, legislative staff and regulators on key issues in canine policy, and supervises the AKC Government Relation team. She also serves as Secretary on the AKC PAC Board of Directors.Sheila joined AKC’s publications department in 2006. In 2008, she returned to her previous career in public policy/government affairs as AKC’s Director of Government Relations. Prior to working for the American Kennel Club, she was a Senior Legislative Analyst/Editor and Deputy Director of Editorial Product Development for Congressional Quarterly in Washington, DC. Previous experience included federal legislative staffing and advocacy, work as an editor and analyst for The Economist Intelligence Unit, and serving as an adjunct in Political Science/Comparative Politics at the State University of New York/Stony Brook.Sheila has completed Ph.D. coursework and research in American Politics/Public Policy, earned a Masters of Philosophy in American Politics and an MA in International Political Economy and Development at Fordham University, and is a former Fulbright Scholar, studying Political Economy and Development in Sri Lanka.Sheila breeds and shows Siberian Huskies. She is a member of the Siberian Husky Club of America, and several other specialty and all-breed kennel clubs.https://akcgr.org/akc/app/document/31245992?0

"Only A Punk Would Hurt A Cat Or A Dog." So honored to have Caroline Griffin on this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" with you!Caroline was a practicing attorney for 20 years. For the past 10 years, she has been working in the animal protection arena supporting animal welfare and co-founding an anti-cruelty campaign that has become a movement - "Share Your Soft Side."Show Your Soft Side is a public service campaign that was created to change the mindset of young people who all-too-often view the maiming and torturing of defenseless cats and dogs as a sign of “toughness” or “manhood.”The campaign’s message that compassion towards animals is a sign of strength, not weakness, is one that, overnight, struck a nerve with old and young alike. Today, Show Your Soft Side, Inc. uses its reach and resources to build a better world for animals and, in doing so, build better adults.  More About Caroline GriffinCaroline Griffin graduated from Loyola University of Maryland in 1984 and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 1987.Ms. Griffin practiced law for 20 years until she was appointed Chair of the Mayor’s Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Task Force in Baltimore, following the brutal burning death of a dog named Phoenix. For the past decade, she has devoted all her time to animal protection work.She is a co-founder of the anti-cruelty campaign Show Your Soft Side, serves on the Board of Directors of the Animal Welfare Institute and Days End Farm Horse Rescue, and is the Chair of the Maryland Spay Neuter Advisory Board.Connect With Caroline:Website: ShowYourSoftSide.orgFacebook: ShowYourSoftSideTwitter: SoftSide1Instagram: @showyoursoftside

I can't wait for you to listen to this special "Lollapalooza" episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" You'll get to meet and learn more about the incredible work of four very passionate animal and people lovers who are making an impact around the world.Learn More About:Spencer B. HodgettsSpencer helps Pet Advocacy & Therapy Professionals connect globally to create the social-impact they desire through his work and website ReboundDog.comhttps://rebounddog.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerbhodgetts/ Christina BurkiChristina is a psychotherapist and animal communicator who believes that animals are a wonderful source of comfort to humans. Animals are highly sensitive and instinctively know when someone needs a cuddle, a nudge or a game of ‘fetch’ – they’re great stress relievers. She says that her 2 dogs and 2 cats, who often participate in counseling sessions, are her co-therapists.https://www.christinaburki.com.au/animals-within-our-sessions.htmlhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaburki/ Teresa WagnerTeresa is the founder of The Animal Loss & Grief Support Institute. Her mission and life's work is to help us deepen our spiritual intimacy with animals, resolve problems with and honor animals, assuage the suffering of animals, heal from the pain of losing animal companions and from being witness to the suffering and loss of animals in the environment, and to celebrate with like-minded people the joy of our miraculous, spiritual connection with all animals.https://animalsinourhearts.com/https://pet-loss-grief-counseling-certification.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-wagner-28096430/ Caroline GriffinCaroline is an attorney working in the field of animal protection. She was appointed chair of the Baltimore Mayor’s Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission, after the burning death of a dog that made national news. She is the co-founder of Show Your Soft Side, an anti-cruelty campaign, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Animal Welfare Institute."Only A Punk Would Hurt A Cat Or Dog."https://showyoursoftside.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-griffin-42aa658/

Deirdre Chiaramonte, DVM - Science and Technology Meet A Deep Love For AnimalsDeirdre Chiaramonte provides veterinary professionals and pet owners with solutions that improve the lives of their pets, their working animals, and their patients. She is the Director of Clinical Education at Assissi Animal Health. And is currently working with a rescue in the mid-Hudson Valley.Assissi's products employ rigorously researched, targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF) technology that reduces inflammation and is tuned specifically to either decrease pain and accelerate healing of soft tissue and bone or to reduce canine separation anxiety -- an exceptionally useful tool for a rescue dog that develops separation anxiety when their owner returns to work after COVID has passed.These innovative, non-pharmaceutical devices, which are backed by peer-reviewed clinical research in veterinary medicine, have improved the lives of thousands of pets and their people.More About Deirdre Chiaramonte, DVMDeirdre Chiaramonte received her DVM from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Massachusetts in 1997 and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at The Animal Medical Center from 1997-1998. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2004 after completing a small animal internal medicine residency at The Animal Medical Center. She was a staff Internist and the co-founder and Director of the Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Unit for over 10 years.You can learn more about the amazing technology Deirdre discussed during our conversation on her website:https://assisianimalhealth.com/And, you can learn more about the Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary on their website:https://www.hvars.org/

I can't even begin to tell you how excited and honored I am to be sharing this next podcast interview with you.My good friend, Dr. Temple Grandin is known worldwide for her trailblazing work as a spokesperson for people with autism and her lifelong work with animal behavior.Temple is truly a living legend. She is a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University and is considered one of the world’s renowned experts in two fields: animal welfare and autism. Few people ever achieve her level of expertise and fame in one area, much less two.She also wrote the foreword to my best-selling book, "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation to Resolve Conflicts over Animals"Today Temple is sharing some profound insight about what's going to happen to the dogs (and other pets) that were adopted during the COVID pandemic once that's over and we return to "life and business as usual". She also talks about how she has been able to continue teaching many of her classes online and what hasn't worked well with online education. She gives some really important tips that will help enhance any educational experience.We also talk about how pets matter to people on the autism spectrum, issues when someone is flying with emotional support animals and service animals. More About Temple GrandinDr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Facilities she has designed are located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. In North America, almost half of the cattle are handled in a center track restrainer system that she designed for meat plants. Curved chute and race systems she has designed for cattle are used worldwide and her writings on the flight zone and other principles of grazing animal behavior have helped many people to reduce stress on their animals during handling.She has also developed an objective scoring system for assessing the handling of cattle and pigs at meat plants. This scoring system is being used by many large corporations to improve animal welfare. Other areas of research are: cattle temperament, environmental enrichment for pigs, reducing dark cutters and bruises, bull fertility, training procedures, and effective stunning methods for cattle and pigs at meat plants.She obtained her B.A. at Franklin Pierce College and her M.S. in Animal Science at Arizona State University. Dr. Grandin received her Ph.D in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1989. Today she teaches courses on livestock behavior and facility design at Colorado State University and consults with the livestock industry on facility design, livestock handling, and animal welfare. She has appeared on television shows such as 20/20, 48 Hours, CNN Larry King Live, PrimeTime Live, 60 Minutes, the Today Show, and many shows in other countries. She has been featured in People Magazine, the New York Times, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, Time Magazine, the New York Times book review, and Discover magazine. In 2010, Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people. Interviews with Dr. Grandin have been broadcast on National Public Radio and she has a 2010 TED Lecture titled "The World Needs ALL Kinds of Minds." She has also authored over 400 articles in both scientific journals and livestock periodicals on animal handling, welfare, and facility design.She is the author of "Thinking in Pictures", "Livestock Handling and Transport," "Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals," "Guide to Working with Farm Animals," and "Humane Livestock Handling."Her books "Animals in Translation" and "Animals Make Us Human" were both on the New York Times bestseller list. "Animals Make Us Human" was also on the Canadian bestseller list. Her latest book, "Calling All Minds", was a New York Times bestseller for middle school students. Her life story has also been made into an HBO movie titled "Temple Grandin", starring Claire Danes," which won seven Emmy awards and a Golden Globe. The movie shows her life as a teenager and how she started her career. In 2017, she was inducted into The Women's Hall of Fame and in 2018 made a fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.You can learn more about Temple Grandin on her websites:https://www.grandin.com/https://www.templegrandin.com/And, you can connect with her:https://www.facebook.com/drtemplegrandin/https://twitter.com/DrTempleGrandin 

Thomas Nicholl is both an attorney and a veterinarian. As a former practicing veterinarian who is thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the horse industry -- racing, breeding, show, endurance, hunter-jumper, dressage, cutting, driving, pleasure horses and companion animals -- he has amazing insight into the huge impact COVID is having on the racing industry and the health and well-being of the horses themselves. And, that's what we're talking about during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?"More About Thomas Nicholl, Esq.The choice of an attorney is a very important one. As a lawyer who is also a veterinarian, Dr. Nicholl is especially qualified to help you with animal legal issues and medical law issues. He is a former State of Florida Prosecutor with extensive trial experience, and is licensed with the Florida Bar Association and also a Veterinarian in Florida as well as being a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Find out more here: https://thomasnicholllawfirm.com/ 

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.During this episode of "why Do Pets Matter?" we talk about her life long passion and advocacy for animals, how a trip down the Yangtze River in China and "the silent spring" changed the direction her practice would take, and the resistance and challenges she encountered when first introducing animal law as a practice area in Minnesota. 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/

Dr. Nadine Hamilton from Australia returns to "Why Do Pets Matter?" this week. COVID has created tremendous stress and challenges for veterinarians world-wide. Nadine talks about how Australian veterinarians are coping with the pressure while providing excellent levels of care for their furry patients and their loving human owners.Burnout, split shifts, super long hours, and less than ideal working conditions are some of the biggest factors affecting vets. However, it seems that some vets are actually enjoying the contact-less interactions because their exposure to highly charged emotional clients is limited. Vets are constantly faced with having difficult communications with clients, resulting in highly charged emotional (and legal) situations that many are simply not equipped to deal with.One way veterinarians can help themselves to better cope with stress and depression is to seek help from mental health professionals outside of the veterinary world.  More About Dr. Nadine HamiltonDr. Hamilton is the author of the popular book "Coping with Stress & Burnout as a Veterinarian." Animal lovers of all kinds will appreciate this insight into the heart of a veterinarian. It is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Coping-Stress-Burnout-Veterinarian-Evidence-Based/dp/1925644197/Nadine is a veterinary-friendly psychologist and founder of the charity Love Your Pet Love Your Vet: https://www.loveyourpetloveyourvet.com.au/She has spent over 15 years in her specialty psychology practice working with thousands of stressed vets as well as consulting to industry associations, practice managers, and owners to increase wellbeing, productivity, and retention in the workplace.You can listen to Nadine's first podcast on "Why Do Pets Matter?" right here: https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/112-dr-nadine-hamilton/

Animals have very complex and deep emotional lives that we humans are just beginning to understand. Raj Reddy, director of the Animal Law LL.M. Program at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, OR shares some profound insights into what our animals are feeling now that we've actually been spending more time than ever with them at home during COVID. We touch on what we need to do to prepare them and ourselves for when things transition and we're not spending as much time at home as we are now. We also had the opportunity to have a fascinating conversation about the incredible work he is doing on a global level to help foster awareness, educate, and facilitate change for the protection of all animals. About Raj ReddyDr. Rajesh K. Reddy directs the Animal Law LL.M. Program at the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School, where he teaches Animal Law Fundamentals, Animal Legal Philosophy, Comparative International Animal Law, Introduction to Animal Legal Studies, and the program’s Animal Law LL.M. Seminars.Raj also serves on Lewis & Clark’s tri-campus Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and as a campus Sexual Assault Resource Advocate. Outside of Lewis & Clark, he chairs the Animal Law Section of the Oregon State Bar and the International Issues Subcommittee of the Animal Law Committee of the American Bar Association. He currently sits on the boards of Minding Animals International, Humane Voters Oregon, and the diversity, equity, and inclusion nonprofit Encompass.Prior to joining the Center for Animal Law Studies, Raj earned his J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School and his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, where his dissertation scrutinized the representation of human and nonhuman animals in postcolonial literature and discourse.He has recently served as Co-Editor in Chief of the Animal Law Review and Co-Director of Lewis & Clark’s Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter. He has advanced human and nonhuman animal legal efforts as part of his work for multiple nonprofits, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Criminal Justice Program and the Human Rights Law Network in New Delhi, India.He is the author of the forthcoming casebook entitled International Animal Law and Policy: Cases and Materials.

Divorce is often confusing, frustrating, and acrimonious. It's hard to figure out how to move forward when you never planned for life without your spouse. Too often divorcing couples weaponize pet custody. Unfortunately, they don't realize that their pets don't hate their ex and forget to consider what kind of custody situation would be in the best interest of their animals.Karis has masterfully combined her expertise with animal behavior and deep understanding of human behavior to help separating couples make good choices for themselves and their animals. 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 who are working amicably through their divorce, the emotional component surrounding beloved pets can complicate what is an inevitably difficult time. To learn more about Karis and the work she does, please visit https://KarisNafte.comYou can also find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karisnafte/