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

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. 

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/

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.

Dr. 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. 

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.

To learn more about Karis and the work she does, please visit https://KarisNafte.com

You can also find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karisnafte/

Diane Eigner talks openly about how "a piece of her heart belongs to each of the cats and dogs who've crossed her path". She provides compassionate hospice and end of life care to felines in Ocean County, NJ. Diane is deeply committed to helping cat owners be at peace with the decisions they need to make for their pet's transition when the time comes.

In 2015 when Diane was getting ready to sell her urban feline practice after 33 years of feline practice ownership, her Velvet was diagnosed with chronic and relapsing pancreatitis and kidney failure. Diane provided Velvet with hospice care in her home and was able to keep Velvet comfortable for almost a year.

After Velvet's passing, Diane decided she needed to give the gift of hospice care and home euthanasia to other cat owners, so she decided to launch an end of life practice at the Jersey Shore just for cats who live in Ocean County.

For more info go to: http://thecatwhispurrr.com/

During this candid conversation, Jeremy talks about how his legal work helps animals, their owners, and their veterinarians, feel valued and understood by talking to one another first -- often eliminating the need for litigation.

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.

During this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" Debra has a powerful conversation with Melissa Supernor about how her pets -- 4 calico cats -- are helping her staying sane during these challenging times. Melissa also shares some wonderful insights into the nature of calicos -- the "red-heads" of the feline world!

Plus Melissa talks about what makes a veterinary practice extraordinary and how much better everyone is served when veterinary teams are engaged with their clients -- and vice versa! 

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

Dr. Ian Hale, an Author, Speaker, Poet, Consultant, Autism Advocate, and cat lover is from the historic City and County of Bristol, England.

During our conversation, Ian talks about life with his many cats -- he has four -- how the absolutely delight him and how they have taught him some of his greatest life lessons.

He is a member of British Mensa, the Accademia Costantiniana and a graduate of Portsmouth, Bristol, and Bath Spa Universities. His professional background is further and higher education, special education needs, organization and genetics.

Being from a family with a history of Autism meant it has always been a part of his “normal” life and brings a radical new voice to its understanding and implication while lending a uniquely powerful and sharply different perspective to assessing and providing a high quality of educational and life experience for affected people, whether children, adults in the workplace or seniors- each group has their own particular viewpoint and needs. Autism is for life-and is seldom understood that way by society.

A highly professional and experienced Teacher, Research Academic and Counsellor, with broad Learning Disability skills. Able to both design and administer a wide range of courses in an effective and flexible manner, while utilizing them in a learning environment.

Dr. Mary Gardner, DVM is passionate about helping geriatric pets. In this episode listen as Mary and host Debra Hamilton talk about pet aging and how you can navigate the senior years of your pet with more grace and peace.

You can learn more about the services Lap Of Love provides for Veterinary Hospice and Euthanasia on their website.  https://www.lapoflove.com/About-Us/Founders/Mary-Gardner-DVM

A dynamic and engaging speaker, Dr. Mary Gardner is able to draw on a wide range of career experiences and life lessons to educate and motivate diverse audiences. Her presentations cover a variety of topics, and encourage both professional and personal growth within the veterinary industry and beyond. Ironically, veterinary medicine was not her first career choice. https://www.drmarygardner.com/

Yvonne DiVita built BlogPaws to encourage women to write and deepen the love of pets around the world.

Yvonne DiVita is a writing professional with a passionate desire to help women everywhere achieve their highest goals and write more books. She considers herself a serial entrepreneur, from a background in book publishing, to managing a successful online influencer community called BlogPaws - blogging is all about writing, to working as a mentor and coach with women in business today.

Debra Hamilton is a pet lover extraordinaire! Debra is a full-time mediator and conflict coach for people in disputes over animals and hosts Why Do Pets Matter? to further understanding, compassion and respect for animals globally. She is also a preservationist breeder of Irish Setters!

Go here for more: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/

e-mail: [email protected]

phone: 914.552.5021

Debra works both nationwide and internationally.

She has far-reaching experience in resolving interpersonal conflicts involving animals, and she is also well-known in the world of purebred dogs as a top breeder and exhibitor of Irish setters and long-haired dachshunds. Debra speaks widely on the topic of how mediation techniques can help people address conflicts without litigation. She has presented at veterinary schools, the American Kennel Club, the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators, the Living With Animals conference, state bar association Animal Law Committee meetings, and animal interest group meetings. Debra also writes a blog for Hamilton Law and Mediation and is a past contributor to the Solo Practice University blog and the Canine Chronicle. She has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, US News and World Report, and the New York Times, just to name a few. As the principal at Hamilton Law and Mediation, PLLC—the nation’s first solo mediation practice dedicated to helping people resolve conflicts over animals—Debra uses alternative dispute resolution to help address disagreements over the family pet during divorce, neighbors’ arguments over a barking dog, and confrontations between clients and veterinarians and other professionals who work with animals. HLM also looks forward to helping animal rights and welfare advocates see the benefit of having a conversation about the best interests of all parties—especially the animals—to resolve animal-related disputes. Debra is admitted to practice law in all New York State courts. She is certified as a mediator and collaborative professional and has worked with various court-based mediation programs in New York City (Queens-Community Mediation Service) and in Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York (Westchester and Rockland Mediation Centers).

Dr. Jeff Nicol shares his love for pets, and how they taught him about life in this warm and educational episode of Why Do Pets Matter? Podcast hosted by Debra Hamilton.

Pets are special to Dr. Jeff Nicol. Growing up his family always had cats and dogs in their home. It’s hard for Dr. Jeff to imagine life without them. He believes they are here for more than just sharing life’s joys and challenges. His pets have been some of the best teachers he's have ever known. The first to make a big impression on his young life was a beagle -- Billy Bones. They both attended obedience class together and worked so hard they won third place in their first obedience trial. 

Some pets and their people struggle with frustrating and sometimes destructive or even dangerous problems. Recent advancements in animal behavior are among the most exciting and important new developments in veterinary medicine. Some abnormal behaviors are a direct result of physical diseases. Being skilled in behavior as well as general medicine makes a big difference for the pets I treat. Dr. Nicol's work is rewarding and it’s often challenging.

Debra Hamilton is a pet lover extraordinaire! Debra is a full-time mediator and conflict coach for people in disputes over animals and hosts Why Do Pets Matter? to further understanding, compassion and respect for animals globally. She is also a preservationist breeder of Irish Setters!

Go here for more: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/

e-mail: [email protected]

phone: 914.552.5021

Debra works both nationwide and internationally. She has far-reaching experience in resolving interpersonal conflicts involving animals, and she is also well-known in the world of purebred dogs as a top breeder and exhibitor of Irish setters and long-haired dachshunds. Debra speaks widely on the topic of how mediation techniques can help people address conflicts without litigation. She has presented at veterinary schools, the American Kennel Club, the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators, the Living With Animals conference, state bar association Animal Law Committee meetings, and animal interest group meetings. Debra also writes a blog for Hamilton Law and Mediation and is a past contributor to the Solo Practice University blog and the Canine Chronicle. She has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, US News and World Report, and the New York Times, just to name a few. As the principal at Hamilton Law and Mediation, PLLC—the nation’s first solo mediation practice dedicated to helping people resolve conflicts over animals—Debra uses alternative dispute resolution to help address disagreements over the family pet during divorce, neighbors’ arguments over a barking dog, and confrontations between clients and veterinarians and other professionals who work with animals. HLM also looks forward to helping animal rights and welfare advocates see the benefit of having a conversation about the best interests of all parties—especially the animals—to resolve animal-related disputes. Debra is admitted to practice law in all New York State courts. She is certified as a mediator and collaborative professional and has worked with various court-based mediation programs in New York City (Queens-Community Mediation Service) and in Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York (Westchester and Rockland Mediation Centers).