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PODCAST

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

Debra Hamilton, Esq.

Pet expert Debra Hamilton interviews other pet lovers on this delightful podcast about pet custody, pet drama, pet problems and pet solutions. Why Do Pets Matter? is a heartfelt podcast dedicated to pets, hosted by pet-focused attorney Debra Hamilton, Esq.

kids & family pets & animals

All Episodes

45:01

Owning Your Energy: How Awareness Transforms Care for...

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

2025/10/29

Hey friends!A new episode of Why Do Pets Matter just dropped, and this one is a heart-opener. I sat down with @drjenniferedwards, a veterinarian and leadership energy coach, to talk about the power of awareness, breath, and boundaries that actually support us. We dig into how our energy shows up in the exam room and at home, why taking responsibility is empowering (not blame!), and simple ways to pause, reset, and communicate with more ease, so pets, clients, and teams all win. If you’ve

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49:15

Ask About the Pet: How a Simple Question Can Change...

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

2025/10/16

On this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sat down with my dear friend Dr. Janet Hoy Gerlach, a licensed social worker and the driving force behind Ask About the Pet at the Open Door Veterinary Collective. We talked about how one small question, “Do you have a pet?”, can open the door to empathy, understanding, and better care for people in crisis.Janet shared powerful stories about how pets ground us during difficult times, how asking about them builds trust between providers and clients, and how

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41:20

My Balto with Dr. Robert Parkins: Community-Powered...

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

2025/10/02

Watch this episode of Why Do Pets Matter with Dr. Robert Parkins, DVM, the veterinarian behind My Balto. We talk about real solutions that help families afford care without turning vet visits into crisis decisions. Dr. Parkins shares how My Balto lets clinics build their own angel funds, use safe community fundraising, and even support preventive care so pets stay healthy and at home. We also chat about creative ideas that bring neighbors together to help pets in need and how the program is

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41:55

Opening Doors: Breaking Down Financial Barriers in...

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

2025/09/19

I sat down with Aimee St. Arnaud from Open Door Veterinary Collective to talk about real-world ways we can keep pets with their families, without turning vet visits into battles about money. We dig into transparent communication, “financial triage,” pay-over-time options that actually work for clinics, and how small shifts (like normalizing the money conversation and inviting clients into the care plan) can prevent surrender and crisis decisions. We also touch on Open Door’s tools for teams and pet

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35:33

The Weight They Carry: Mental Health, Vet Med, and...

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

2025/09/06

Listen to this episode of Why Do Pets Matter with filmmaker Grace Galletti, creator of the documentary The Weight They Carry. We talk candidly about the mental health challenges facing veterinarians and their teams, the myths that fuel misunderstanding, and how pet parents and practices can support each other with more empathy, transparency, and care.Grace shares why she set out to tell this story, what she learned while filming inside busy clinics, and how we can open healthier conversations

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38:37

Why Pets Make Us More Human: A Conversation on...

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

2025/08/28

Listen to this episode of Why Do Pets Matter for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Aubrey Fine, Professor Emeritus at California State Polytechnic University and an internationally recognized pioneer in animal-assisted therapy. Dr. Fine takes us on his journey from growing up in a pet-free home to becoming one of the foremost advocates for the human-animal bond, a path that began with an unexpected friendship with a gerbil named Sasha.In this heartfelt discussion, Dr. Fine shares the therapeutic

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40:25

Pets as Family: Love, Loss, and the Laws Catching Up...

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

2025/08/08

This week on Why Do Pets Matter, I’m joined once again by the incredible Maribeth Decker for a conversation straight from the heart. We’re talking about a groundbreaking legal case that recognizes pets as immediate family, why our animals inspire us to be the people they think we are, and how to navigate the toughest moments with love and compassion.From celebrating the bonds we share to making difficult end-of-life decisions, this episode is a reminder that pets are never “just property”, they are

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49:46

From Litigation to Collaboration: Transforming Animal...

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

2025/07/17

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I talk with industrial organizational psychologist Taeler Hammond about the growing connection between animal law, veterinary conflict, and the human-animal bond.We explore why treating pets as property in court often falls short, and how empathy and communication can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. Taeler shares personal stories that show how small moments can turn into big conflicts—or real solutions—depending on how we respond. We also talk

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46:18

Revolutionary Pet Care with Dr. Jeff Grognet

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

2025/07/03

Join us for a groundbreaking conversation with Dr. Jeff Grognet, a veterinarian who's challenging the status quo of modern pet care. In this episode, Dr. Grognet shares his journey from conventional practice to holistic veterinary medicine, offering eye-opening insights that could transform how you think about your pet's health.Dr. Grognet's mission extends beyond individual pet care—he's working to educate both veterinarians and pet owners about the benefits of individualized, holistic approaches

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33:37

Creating Mentally Healthy Veterinary Workplaces With...

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

2025/06/19

On this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I’m joined by the insightful Terri Stockdreher, LCSW, MPH — a trauma-informed therapist and fellow NAMV Blueprint advisor — for a powerful conversation about mental health in the veterinary field.Terri specializes in helping high-achieving veterinary and healthcare professionals who are burned out, emotionally exhausted, and struggling to keep up the appearance that everything is “fine.” Together, we discuss the deep emotional connections we have with animals,

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48:03

A Landmark Pet Custody Case! How Jeremy Cohen & Brett...

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

2025/06/06

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 for pets. We discussed the thoughtful and patient approach they took, emphasizing the importance of

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37:17

Mentors, Medicine, and the Magic of Meeting People...

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

2025/05/22

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 space to support both new grads and the mentors guiding them. We also talked about the deep, emotional

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47:51

Finding the Third Way: Conflict, Compassion, and Why...

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

2025/05/08

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 conflict—the kind that challenges and stretches us without tearing us apart—can show up in all areas of

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30:52

When Life Changes, So Do Our Pets – A Heartfelt...

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

2025/04/24

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 the world—we talk about how those shifts in your energy can deeply impact the animals we love. Maribeth

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35:12

Pets & Perspectives: A Conversation with Natalie...

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

2025/04/10

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 the United States, our conversation offers practical insights and thoughtful reflections. We also

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35:21

Protecting Pets in Domestic Abuse with Christina Warner

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

2025/03/27

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, pets are caught in the middle—or worse, used as tools of control. Christina shares real stories from her

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34:06

The Power of Listening: How Empathy Transforms...

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

2025/03/13

✨ 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 communication in veterinary practices and how active listening can transform client interactions. We

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32:47

Hooves & Heartbeats: Finding Humanity Through Our...

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

2025/02/27

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 laughs along the way. 💙 We even discuss the importance of end-of-life decisions for our beloved animals

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37:18

The Power of Pets: Communication, Compassion, and...

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

2025/02/13

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 for communication and understanding between humans and animals is something we can all learn from. Tune

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34:06

Why Pets Matter to Me: A Look Back on My Journey

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

2025/01/29

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 childhood dog to my lifelong passion for Irish Setters, breeding, and showing, my love for animals has

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160 results

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