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

On this episode of Why Do Pets Matter?, I had the honor of speaking with Jeremy Cohen, founder of Boston Dog Lawyers, and his client Brett Lyman, who together made legal history in Massachusetts with the landmark case Lyman v. Lancer. Jeremy and Brett share their journey navigating the complexities of a groundbreaking case that ultimately led to Massachusetts recognizing shared custody agreements...

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Kate Boatright on this week’s episode of Why Do Pets Matter — and let me tell you, what a powerful conversation! 💙 Kate is an incredible advocate for mentorship and the importance of spectrum of care in veterinary medicine. She shares so beautifully about the lessons she’s learned (the wins and the wobbles!), and how she’s created a much-needed...

I’m beyond thrilled to welcome my friend Amanda Ripley to the Why Do Pets Matter podcast! Amanda is a brilliant journalist and the author of one of my all-time favorite books, High Conflict. In this episode, we talk all about what happens when we stop digging in our heels and start leaning into connection—yes, even in the middle of a disagreement (or two).   Amanda and I dive into how good conflic...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming back my dear friend, Maribeth Decker of Sacred Grove. Maribeth is an incredible animal communicator, and we dove into a topic that’s so important yet often overlooked—how our life changes affect our pets. Whether you’re going through an illness, a job loss, a big move, or even just dealing with the everyday stress of t...

In todays episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I spoke with my good friend, Natalie Armstrong-Motin, Founder of Will Work For Food who also does Social Media Marketing Creation and Management for Mediators and Arbitrators Around the World. From the emotional benefits of having a furry companion while working alone to comparing pet care infrastructure across countries like the Netherlands, France, and th...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I had the honor of speaking with Christina Warner, a family barrister in the UK and the incredible force behind Ruby’s Law. Christina is working hard to change the law in the UK to make sure pets are protected in cases of domestic abuse. As someone who’s spent years helping people navigate conflicts over animals, I know just how important this is. Too often,...

✨ New Episode Alert! ✨ I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my dear friend Carolyn Shadle on this episode of Why Do Pets Matter? 🎙️🐾 Carolyn is an incredible communicator, educator, and author who has dedicated her career to helping people really listen and connect—something that’s so important in veterinary medicine and beyond. In this episode, we dive into the power of empathetic...

This conversation with my dear friend Fiona Farrell is one you don’t want to miss! As fellow attorneys deeply involved in animal law, we dive into the profound ways pets and horses shape our lives—not just as companions, but as independent beings with their own agency. 🐶🐴 From our shared love of horses to the incredible impact of animal advocacy, this episode is full of heart, wisdom, and a few...

I’m beyond excited to share this powerful conversation with Dr. Emily Talkington! 🎙️ We dive deep into the incredible ways pets and wildlife shape our lives, from the spiritual connection they bring to the courage it takes to be open, learn, and sometimes—be wrong.  Dr. Emily’s experience with international rescue, chimpanzee rehabilitation, and wildlife advocacy is truly inspiring. Her passion fo...

This episode is a little different—I’m flipping the script and interviewing myself! After 10,000 downloads (thank you all so much!), I realized I’ve never shared my own story on Why Do Pets Matter. So today, I’m taking a step back to talk about why pets matter to me, how I got started in this work, and why I shifted from litigation to mediation to better serve pets and their people. From my first...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with my dear friend, Greg Bishop, a relief veterinarian, talented writer, and the creative mind behind the captivating Sasquatch Paw cartoons. Greg’s unique combination of veterinary expertise, sharp wit, and deep compassion shines through in our conversation as we dive into the human-animal bond and the challenges—and...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Maribeth Decker from Sacred Grove, an intuitive animal communicator and energy healer who helps people better understand and connect with their pets. Maribeth shared her unique approach to communicating with animals, emphasizing how their energy and emotions can shape the bonds we share. From helping a dog overcome fear...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I had the pleasure of chatting with my dear friend, Dr. Dave Nicol, a trailblazer in veterinary leadership and practice management. We explored everything from his inspiring journey to becoming a triathlete for Team GB to his incredible work with the Veterinary Leadership Academy. Dave shared his insights on setting ambitious goals, the importance of mentorsh...

Andrea Crabtree, founder of FurPaw Consulting, has transformed her passion for animal care into a thriving veterinary business consulting practice. Her journey reflects a deep understanding of the challenges facing modern veterinary practices, particularly in the wake of COVID-19's impact on the profession.   Crabtree emphasizes the critical role of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in man...

In this episode, I’m excited to sit down with Dr. Julie Liu, a dedicated veterinarian and founder of My Family Cat in Austin, Texas. Dr. Liu shares her unique approach to feline behavior consultations, and we dive deep into why understanding your cat’s behavior and making regular vet visits a priority is so crucial for their well-being. Dr. Liu explains how she collaborates with primary veterinari...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter?, I’m joined by the amazing Dr. Gunila Pedersen, host of the Overwhelmed Vet podcast, emergency vet, and life coach for veterinarians. We dive into the real challenges vets face—like burnout, emotional stress, and the difficult balance of caring for both pets and their owners. Gunila shares her personal journey through burnout and offers heartfelt advice on ho...

In this week's episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I had the pleasure of chatting with my good friend Dr. Peter Weinstein, a retired veterinarian, writer, and podcaster who’s made it his mission to mentor both new and seasoned vets. Peter shares some really valuable insights on how to lead with emotional intelligence, build strong, supportive teams, and create better relationships with clients. We dive...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sit down with Ron Sosa, founder and CEO of Synaptic Neuro-Inclusive Leadership and Executive Director at Uncharted Veterinary Conferences. We talk about the importance of neurodiversity in veterinary practices and how understanding different perspectives can improve communication and teamwork. Ron shares his insights on how veterinarians and staff can creat...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter?, I’m excited to welcome two incredible guests, Rhonda Bell and Debbie Boone, as we dive into the creation of the North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists (NAAVR). Rhonda and Debbie share their passion for supporting the front desk heroes of veterinary practices—the client service representatives (CSRs). We discuss the vital role CSRs play in sha...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter?, I’m thrilled to sit down with my dear friend, Debbie Boone, founder of Debbie Boone Consulting and author of Hospitality in Health Care. Debbie, who was also the president of the Vet Partners Group, brings her wealth of experience to our conversation as we dive into improving communication, collaboration, and transparency within veterinary practices. We chat...

In this episode of the Why Do Pets Matter podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rhonda Bell of Dog Days Consulting. Rhonda shared her insights on how she helps pet-related businesses refine their brand and better connect with clients. We delved into the importance of aligning veterinary practice culture with effective digital marketing and communication strategies to enhance client relations...

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter?, I'm excited to chat with my good friend, Josh Vaisman, Co-Founder of Flourish Veterinary Consulting and author of "Lead to Thrive: The Science of Crafting a Positive Veterinary Culture." Josh shares his journey from veterinary practice to starting his own consulting firm, focusing on translating social science research into practical strategies for workplace...

This week on Why Do Pets Matter?, we welcome Jen Shryock, the founder of Family Paws Parent Education! Jen specializes in guiding families through the process of integrating dogs and new babies into a cohesive household. With her background in special education, Jen shares essential tips on preparing your dog for a new family member, understanding canine behavior, and ensuring the safety and comfo...

In this episode, I welcome Kelly Baltzell, CEO of Beyond Indigo Pets, for an in-depth conversation on the critical role pets play in our lives and the challenges and triumphs in the veterinary industry. We discuss the emotional toll of euthanasia on both veterinarians and pet owners, the importance of transparent communication, and how marketing can enhance veterinary practices. Kelly also shares...

I had the pleasure of speaking with Janet Hoy-Gerlach, the visionary behind One Health People-Animal Wellness. As a former tenured professor at the University of Toledo and now an adjunct faculty member at Case Western Reserve University, Janet brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion. We delved into the profound significance of human-animal relationships in mental health and social work, un...